Experiences in Close Relationships – Relationship Structures (ECR-RS)

Experiences in Close Relationships – Relationship Structures or Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS) is a 9-item self-assessment tool designed to assess relationships with close people. The ECR-RS clearly specifies four attachment figures—mother, father, romantic partner, and best friend. The wording of the items is consistent across the four relational contexts and thus makes it possible to meaningfully assess the homogeneity or differentiation of the bond across different relational contexts. The questionnaire has two dimensions – attachment anxiety (3 items) and relational avoidance (6 items). The anxiety dimension corresponds to the degree to which a person tends to show concerns related to custody, such as the availability and response of the custody person. The avoidance dimension represents the degree of perceived discomfort in opening up to and relying on others. It can also be used as a 9-item version of the 36-item ECR-R.

Length of filling

It takes approximately 5-7 minutes to complete the ECR-RS for all related persons.

Individualized feedback for the respondent

After completing the questionnaire, the respondent learns what kind of relationships he has with close people.

Keywords

Relationship Structures, ECR-RS, relationship attachment, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance

Scoring and interpretation

Two scores are calculated for each relationship person separately (ie mother, father, romantic partner, best friend) – one for attachment avoidance and the other for attachment anxiety. A score for attachment avoidance can be calculated by averaging items 1 through 6, with items 1, 2, 3, and 4 reversed. An attachment anxiety score can be calculated by averaging items 7 through 9.

Response scale

Respondents answered the extent to which each item corresponded to their feelings on a seven-point scale ranging from “strongly disagree” (1) to “strongly agree” (7).

References

Fraley, R. C., Heffernan, M. E., Vicary, A. M., & Brumbaugh, C. C. (2011). The experiences in close relationships—Relationship Structures Questionnaire: A method for assessing attachment orientations across relationships. Psychological Assessment, 23(3), 615–625. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022898

Siroňová, A., Cígler, H., Ježek, S., Lacinová, L. (2020). Psychometric Characteristics of the ECR-RS, Structure of the Relationship between Global and Specific Attachment – Cross-Validation of the Results Using the Czech and Original Versions of the ECR-RS. Studia Psychologica, 62(4), 291-313. 0039-3320. https://doi.org/10.31577/sp.2020.04.806

Cígler, H., Cvrčková, A., Daňsová, P., Hašto, J., Charvát, M., Ježek, S., Kaščáková, N., Lacinová, L., & Seitl, M. (2019). Experiences in Close Relationships: České verze metod pro měření vazby vycházející z dotazníku ECR. E-psychologie, 13(3), 57-74. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347272524_EXPERIENCES_IN_CLOSE_RELATIONSHIPS_CESKE_VERZE_METOD_PRO_MERENI

Cvrčková, A. (2019). Psychometrické charakteristiky metody ECR-RS, struktura globální a specifické vazby – cross-validizace výsledků české a originální (anglické) verze metody ECR-RS [Rigorózní práce, Fakulta sociálních studií Masarykovy univerzity]. https://is.muni.cz/th/br4lz/CvrckovaAneta_rigorozni_prace.pdf

Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) Questionnaire. (2014). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from http://labs.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/measures/relstructures.htm