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A Study of the Measurement Invariance of the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) Questionnaire Across Relationship Status, Romantic Partners, and Gender

Kay Brauer & René T. Proyer

European Journal of Psychological Assessment2025https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000902article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.41

Abstract

Abstract: The Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) questionnaire is a standard measure of attachment and has been used for decades in relationship research. Although the ECR is frequently used in research of attachment in individuals and couples (e.g., to describe differences between singles and partnered individuals), there is no evidence regarding the comparability of the ECR’s latent measurement models across gender, relationship status, and between partners in couples. We addressed this gap in the literature. Our analyses utilized data from three samples of mixed-gender couples ( N total = 714 couples/1,428 participants) and an independent fourth sample of 1,022 individuals, comprising 516 singles and 506 partnered individuals. Our analyses showed that the measurement model of the ECR yields scalar invariance across groups, thus, showing invariance regarding gender when studying mixed-gender couples and regarding relationship status. Our findings support the use of the ECR for dyadic research and when studying group differences in attachment regarding gender and when comparing findings between singles and partnered individuals.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000902

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@article{kay2025,
  title        = {{A Study of the Measurement Invariance of the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) Questionnaire Across Relationship Status, Romantic Partners, and Gender}},
  author       = {Kay Brauer & René T. Proyer},
  journal      = {European Journal of Psychological Assessment},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000902},
}

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A Study of the Measurement Invariance of the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) Questionnaire Across Relationship Status, Romantic Partners, and Gender

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Evidence weight

0.41

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.25 × 0.4 = 0.10
M · momentum0.55 × 0.15 = 0.08
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.