Relationship Scales Questionnaire – RSQ
Measures adult attachment styles along four patterns: secure, dismissing, fearful, and preoccupied.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Relationship Scales Questionnaire – RSQ was developed by Griffin & Bartholomew (1994). It is designed to measure Adult Attachment. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 30 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Secure, Dismissing, Fearful, Preoccupied.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Secure | 3,9,10,15,28 | 5 |
| Dismissing | 2,6,19,22,26 | 5 |
| Fearful | 1,5,12,24 | 4 |
| Preoccupied | 4,8,18,25 | 4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Not at all like me, 2 = 2, 3 = Somewhat like me, 4 = 4, 5 = Very much like me.
The scale includes 2 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 1 to 5. Interpretation guidelines:
- Average score per subscale. Higher scores indicate greater alignment with that specific attachment pattern.: 1 – 5
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Varies by subscale (typically alpha 0.41 to 0.70).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.