Construct Validity of the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory: 1977-1992

Abstract

The construct validity of Hirschfeld, Klerman, Gough, Barrett, Korchin, and Chodoff's (1977) Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (IDI) is assessed via a review of the first 15 years of empirical research involving this measure. Studies examining the internal validity, external validity, and test-retest reliability of the IDI generally support the construct validity of this scale as a measure of interpersonal dependency. However, these investigations also point to some problematic aspects of the IDI and suggest that additional studies are needed before IDI whole-scale scores may be used appropriately in clinical and research settings. The strengths and limitations of the EDI as a measure of interpersonal dependency are discussed, and suggestions for future studies examining the psychometric properties of the IDI are offered.