Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire – ASQ
Measures the frequency and types of avoidance strategies individuals use in response to unwelcome requests from their partner in close relationships.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire – ASQ was developed by S. S. Belk & W. E. Snell, Jr. (1988). It is designed to measure Avoidance strategies in intimate relationships. The scale is intended for use with Adults in close relationships.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 24 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Unilateral Avoidance (Factor I), Bilateral Avoidance (Factor II), Noncompliance Avoidance (Factor III), Unilateral Compliance (Factor IV).
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Unilateral Avoidance (Factor I) | 17,18,19,20,21,22 | 6 |
| Bilateral Avoidance (Factor II) | 9,10,12,14,24 | 5 |
| Noncompliance Avoidance (Factor III) | 4,5,6,8,13,15,16 | 7 |
| Unilateral Compliance (Factor IV) | 3,7,11 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Do not use at all, 2 = Rarely use, 3 = Sometimes use, 4 = Often use, 5 = Use very often.
The scale includes 1 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:
- Low use of strategy: 1 – 2
- Moderate use of strategy: 3 – 3
- High use of strategy: 4 – 5
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 8 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.