Reliability and validity of the experiences in close relationships scale-the Chinese short version in Chinese adults

Abstract

Objective To revise Experiences in close relationship scale-short form (ECR-S) and evaluate the reliability and validity of Experiences in Close Relationship Scale-the Chinese Short version (ECR-CS) in Chinese adult population. Methods A sample of 1 572 Chinese adults were chosen through convenient sampling method to test the structural validity, criterion correlation validity, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability of ECR-CS. Results The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that ECR-CS had a two-factor structure and data fitted this two-factor structure well, χ2/df=3.57, CFI=0.95, GFI=0.95, AGFI=0.92, TLI=0.92, NFI=0.93, RMSEA=0.07, SRMr=0.04. In ECR-CS, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients for attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were respectively 0.85 and 0.88, the test-retest reliability with an interval of two weeks were respectively 0.75 and 0.80.With reference to relevant studies, self-esteem scale(SES), social avoidance and distress scale(SADS) and depression, anxiety and stress scale(DASS) were selected as the criterions to test the criterion-related validity of ECR-CS. Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance of ECR-CS were significantly positively correlated with social avoidance, social distress, depression, anxiety and stress(r=0.20-0.43, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with self-esteem (r=-0.43--0.40, P<0.01), indicating that ECR-CS had a good criterion-related validity. Conclusion ECR-CS has good reliability and validity, which is suitable for the research of adult attachment in Chinese adult population. Key words: Adult attachment; Experiences in close relationship scale; Reliability; Validity