The Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP)

Abstract

The Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP) is a comprehensive, self-report psychological scale designed to assess a broad array of individual characteristics, historical experiences, and specific dynamics within couple relationships. Comprising 187 items, the instrument yields scores across 25 distinct subscales, categorized into individual experiences (17 scales) and relational patterns (8 scales). The PRP is a crucial tool for researchers and clinicians seeking to quantify complex variables such as psychopathology symptoms, history of violence and abuse, substance use, and key relationship factors like conflict, jealousy, and commitment.

Keywords

Personal and Relationships Profile, PRP, relationship distress, antisocial personality, borderline personality, violence approval, sexual abuse history, self-control, couple conflict, anger management, psychometric assessment.

Authors

The original authors were not explicitly named in the provided source material, though the instrument is widely used in research related to family violence and relationship dynamics.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP) is to provide a detailed, multi-faceted assessment of psychological and behavioral risk factors that impact both individual functioning and intimate relationships. By measuring constructs ranging from historical trauma to current communication issues, the PRP allows for a nuanced understanding of predictors for problems such as relationship dissolution, interpersonal violence, and individual psychopathology.

The secondary purpose is to facilitate research in areas concerning social integration, parenting history, emotional regulation, and attitudes toward gender hostility and violence. The scale is structured to capture sensitive information using a standardized format, ensuring consistency in data collection across various studies and clinical evaluations.

Construct

The PRP measures 25 distinct psychological and relational constructs. These constructs are grouped into two major domains: Individual Characteristics and Experiences (17 scales), and Couple Relationships (8 scales). This structure reflects the understanding that relationship outcomes are influenced by both pre-existing individual traits and dynamic interactional patterns.

The 17 Individual Characteristics and Experiences scales cover core clinical and historical domains:

• ASP (Antisocial Personality Symptoms)
• BOR (Borderline Personality Symptoms)
• CH (Criminal History)
• DEP (Depressive Symptoms)
• GHM (Gender Hostility to Men)
• GHW (Gender Hostility to Women)
• LD (Limited Disclosure)
• NH (Neglect History)
• POS (Positive Parenting)
• PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms)
• SAH (Sexual Abuse History)
• SC (Self-Control)
• SI (Social Integration)
• STR (Stressful Conditions)
• SUB (Substance Abuse)
• VA (Violence Approval)
• VS (Violent Socialization)

The 8 Couple Relationship scales focus specifically on dyadic interaction and beliefs about the partner:

• AM (Anger Management)
• CP (Communication Problems)
• CON (Conflict)
• DOM (Dominance)
• JEL (Jealousy)
• NA (Negative Attribution)
• RC (Relationship Commitment)
• RD (Relationship Distress)

Validity

Specific details regarding construct validity, concurrent validity, or predictive validity were not provided in the source material. However, the comprehensive nature of the constructs suggests that the scale is designed to possess strong face and content validity across multiple domains relevant to clinical and forensic psychological assessment. The scales cover known risk and protective factors central to intimate partner relationships and individual adjustment.

Reliability

The internal consistency (reliability) of the PRP scales is documented through Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, indicating generally strong to acceptable consistency across the 25 scales. The source provides two alpha values for each scale, likely corresponding to different samples or genders. Overall reliability coefficients range from .61 to .87, demonstrating that the scales effectively measure their intended constructs.

Reliability scores for the 17 Individual Characteristics and Experiences scales:

• ASP: .73, .77
• BOR: .76, .74
• CH: .80, .87
• DEP: .83, .79
• GHM: .80, .77
• GHW: .75, .72
• LD: .71, .70
• NH: .73, .73
• POS: .74, .69
• PTS: .72, .72
• SAH: .81, .83
• SC: .64, .67
• SI: .65, .67
• STR: .67, .69
• SUB: .82, .81
• VA: .70, .69
• VS: .74, .78

Reliability scores for the 8 Couple Relationship scales (which include items referring to behavior toward or beliefs about the partner):

• AM (Anger Management): .62, .61
• CP (Communication Problems): .68, .66
• CON (Conflict): .79, .74
• DOM (Dominance): .66, .66
• JEL (Jealousy): .84, .75
• NA (Negative Attribution): .74, .69
• RC (Relationship Commitment): .68, .71
• RD (Relationship Distress): .86, .78

The high alpha values observed in scales such as Relationship Distress (RD), Criminal History (CH), and Sexual Abuse History (SAH) indicate excellent internal consistency, suggesting items within these specific scales are highly correlated and measure a singular underlying factor.

Factor Analysis

The organization of the 187 items into 25 distinct scales suggests that a thorough factor analysis was performed during the development of the PRP. This process likely utilized exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis techniques to empirically group items that load together, thereby defining the final subscale structure. The resulting structure separates factors related to individual psychopathology (e.g., Antisocial Personality Symptoms) and history (e.g., Neglect History) from those specifically focused on relational dynamics (e.g., Conflict and Jealousy).

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological inventory/assessment tool.

Format: 187 statements rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 4 = Strongly Agree).

Language Available: English (as presented in the source content).

Population Group: Individuals currently in, or having recently been in, a committed relationship (partner-focused items apply only if the relationship lasted one month or more).

Age Group: Adults and older adolescents (inferred due to items concerning criminal history since age 15, marriage, and substance abuse).

Population Details: The instructions require respondents to answer about themselves and, if applicable, their relationship with a partner (or most recent partner). Items cover demographics, individual characteristics, and history of abuse, neglect, and antisocial behavior.

Test Methodology: The respondent reads each statement and selects one of four options to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement. Specific instructions are provided for handling relationship-specific items if the respondent is not currently partnered.

Keywords

Psychological assessment, relationship quality, domestic violence risk, trauma history, substance use, Borderline Personality Symptoms, Antisocial Personality Symptoms, Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, couple therapy, forensic psychology.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not explicitly documented in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not explicitly documented in the source material.

Correspondence Address: The instrument is hosted by the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions and Fee: Information regarding permissions, licensing, and associated fees is not explicitly documented in the source material. Users should consult the original developers or hosting institution (UNH) for usage rights.

Test Year: Unknown/Not explicitly documented.

Reference’s

The primary source for the instrument and its manual is provided below. The original PDF manual can be downloaded here: http://pubpages.unh.edu/ch‎armas2/PR10%2015%20Manual.pdf

Additional information is available at: http://pubpages.unh.edu/ch‎armas2

Items of the THE PERSONAL AND RELATIONSHIPS PROFILE (PRP)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

You and Your Relationship

The following statements are about you or about the relationship between you and someone else (such as your partner or your parents). Please read each statement and fill in one of the circles to indicate how much you agree or disagree with it.

For questions about your partner in a relationship:

• If you are currently in a relationship that has lasted one month or more‚ answer about that relationship.
• If you are not now in a relationship‚ but have been in a relationship that lasted one month or more in the past‚ answer about what went on during the most recent relationship of that length.
• If you have not been in a relationship that lasted one month or more‚ omit the question about partners and relationships.

1 = Strongly Disagree‚ 2 = Disagree‚ 3 = Agree‚ 4 = Strongly Agree

1. My relationship with my partner is the most important relationship I have
2. My parents did not care if I did things like shoplifting
3. I would give up almost anything for my partner
4. My partner doesn’t have enough sense to make important decisions
5. I often feel empty
6. I often break things that belong to others on purpose
7. People usually like my partner
8. I’d do almost anything to keep people from leaving me
9. I can calm myself down when I am upset with my partner
10. Before I let myself get really mad at my partner‚ I think about what will happen if I lose my temper
11. My parents did not keep me clean
12. A woman who has been raped probably asked for it
13. I have family members who would help me out if I had a problem
14. Men are more dishonest than women
15. My partner often nags me
16. I rarely have anything to do with religious activities
17. My partner is basically a good person
18. I am always courteous‚ even to people who are disagreeable
19. Sometimes I can’t remember what happened the night before because of drinking
20. I can’t bring myself to say nice things to my partner even when I’m thinking them
21. Since age 15‚ I have stolen or tried to steal something worth more than $50.00
22. When I was a kid‚ I saw my mother or father kick‚ punch‚ or beat up their partner
23. I often feel resentful of women
24. I can feel my blood rising when I start to get mad at my partner
25. I lie to make myself look better
26. I enjoy my day-to-day life
27. I try not to think about terrible things that happened to me
28. I usually wake up feeling pretty good
29. Since age 15‚ I have stolen money (from anyone‚ including family)
30. When I was a kid‚ people (adults or kids) who were not part of my family pushed‚ shoved‚ or slapped me‚ or threw things at me
31. I make excuses when I’ve said something to my partner I shouldn’t have
32. Men treat women badly
33. My life is generally going well
34. A boy who is hit by another boy should hit back
35. My partner does things just to annoy me
36. There have been occasions when I took advantage of someone
37. When I was a kid‚ people (adults or kids) who were not part of my family told me to hit back if someone hit me or insulted me
38. My relationships have big ups and downs
39. Before I was 18‚ an adult in my family had sex with me (vaginal‚ anal‚ or oral)
40. Men irritate me a lot
41. Sometimes I have doubts that my relationship with my partner will last
42. My partner and I disagree about what types of affection are okay in public
43. Men respect women
44. My parents did not comfort me when I was upset
45. Women treat men badly
46. I worry that I have a drug problem
47. I don’t think about how what I do will affect other people
48. I give up easily on difficult projects
49. Marriage is forever
50. I don’t like my work or classes
51. Once sex gets past a certain point‚ a man can’t stop himself until he is satisfied
52. No matter who I am talking to I am always a good listener
53. I don’t tell my partner when I disagree about important things
54. I have a right to know everything my partner does
55. I can usually tell when I am about to lose my temper at my partner
56. When I was a teenager‚ I was hit a lot by my mother or father
57. Before I was 18‚ another kid in my family made me look at or touch their private parts (sex organs)‚ or looked at or touched mine
58. Before age 15‚ I stole or tried to steal something worth more than $50.00
59. It’s all right to break the law as long as you don’t get hurt
60. My father or mother told me to hit back if someone hit me or insulted me
61. I avoid doing anything that reminds me of terrible things that happened to me
62. I have never been irked when people expressed ideas very different from my own
63. When I was a kid‚ I often saw kids who were not in my family get into fights and hit each other
64. I am generally in a good mood
65. I can think of a situation when I would approve of a wife slapping a husband’s face
66. I am sometimes irritated by people who ask favors of me
67. I spend time with friends who have been in trouble with the law
68. I have goals in life that I try to reach
69. I would feel betrayed if my partner was too busy to spend time with me
70. I often do things that are against the law
71. I think good things will happen to me in the future
72. If a wife refuses to have sex‚ there are times when it may be okay to make her do it
73. When I am drinking I usually have five or more drinks at a time
74. I would hate it if my partner confided in someone besides me
75. I sometimes drink five or more drinks at a time‚ but only on weekends
76. I have friends who have committed crimes
77. When a boy is growing up‚ it’s important for him to have a few fist fights
78. There is nothing I can do to control my feelings when my partner hassles me
79. When I was a kid‚ I saw a member of my family who was not my mother or father‚ push‚ shove‚ slap‚ or throw something at someone
80. Before I was 18‚ an adult in my family made me look at or touch their private parts (sex organs)‚ or looked at or touched mine
81. I have thought seriously about ending my relationship with my partner
82. I am constantly looking for signs of danger
83. I go back and forth between thinking my partner is perfect or terrible
84. I can think of a situation when I would approve of a husband slapping a wife’s face
85. To get ahead‚ I have done some things which are not right
86. I am easily frustrated by women
87. My partner likes to make me mad
88. It is sometimes hard for me to go on with my work if I am not encouraged
89. I often do things that other people think are dangerous
90. Caring for my partner means more to me than caring for myself
91. When I was less than 12 years old‚ I was spanked or hit a lot by my mother or father
92. I recognize when I am beginning to get angry at my partner
93. My partner needs to remember that I am in ch‎arge
94. My partner and I disagree about each other’s irritating habits
95. When my partner says something mean‚ I usually say something mean back
96. It is usually my partner’s fault when I get mad
97. People often interrupt me when I’m trying to get things done
98. I am easily startled
99. My partner and I disagree about whether it is okay to tell each other we disagree
100. Before I was 18‚ an adult who was not part of my family had sex with me (vaginal‚ anal‚ or oral)
101. I sometimes drink enough to feel really high or drunk
102. Since age 15‚ I hit or threatened to hit someone who is not a member of my family
103. I generally have the final say when my partner and I disagree
104. My partner treats me well
105. Women irritate me a lot
106. I don’t have enough money for my daily needs
107. My partner and I disagree about his or her friends and family
108. My parents did not help me to do my best in school
109. I’m always willing to admit it when I make a mistake
110. I can set up a time out break during an argument with my partner
111. I sometimes feel resentful when I don’t get my way
112. Men are rude
113. My relationship with my partner is worth the effort I put into it
114. I attend a church‚ synagogue‚ or mosque once a month or more
115. A man should not walk away from a physical fight with another man
116. I have had thoughts of cutting or burning myself
117. In the past‚ I used coke‚ crack‚ or harder drugs (like uppers‚ heroin‚ or opiates) more than once or twice
118. My sex life with my partner is good
119. I get hassled because of who I am
120. My parents did not care if I got into trouble in school
121. I often get hurt by things that I do
122. I have overdosed on drugs or had a severe health problem because of taking drugs to get high
123. Before I was 18‚ another kid who was not part of my family made me look at or touch their private parts (sex organs)‚ or looked at or touched mine
124. When I feel myself getting angry at my partner‚ I try to tell myself to calm down
125. It’s sometimes necessary for parents to slap a teen who talks back or is getting into trouble
126. I have a right to be involved with anything my partner does
127. I am so sad‚ sometimes I wonder why I bother to go on living
128. Before I was 18‚ an adult who was not part of my family made me look at or touch their private parts (sex organs)‚ or looked at or touched mine
129. There have been times when I was quite jealous of the good fortune of others
130. Since age 15‚ I have physically attacked someone with the idea of seriously hurting them
131. Terrible things happened to me that made me feel helpless and horrified
132. I would hate it if my partner paid a lot of attention to someone besides me
133. When I don’t understand what my partner means I ask for more explanation
134. I wish my partner and I got along better than we do
135. When my partner and I have problems‚ I blame him or her
136. My housing is not satisfactory (e.g.‚ too much noise‚ heating problems‚ run-down‚ problems with neighbors)
137. I would be upset if my partner hugged someone a little too long
138. My partner and I disagree about when to have sex
139. I share my thoughts with a family member
140. I sometimes try to get even rather than forgive and forget
141. I feel sad quite often
142. I’d feel jealous if my partner were helpful to someone of the opposite sex
143. Women are rude
144. When my partner is nice to me I wonder what my partner wants
145. I only treat people badly if they deserve it
146. Before I was 18‚ another kid in my family did things to me that I now think was sexual abuse
147. When my partner wants to talk about our problems‚ I try to avoid talking about them
148. I have trouble following the rules at work or in school
149. I often lie to get what I want
150. Finding time for meals is hard for me
151. There have been times when I have felt like rebelling against people in authority even though I knew they were right
152. I insist on knowing where my partner is at all times
153. My partner and I disagree about my friends and family
154. When I’m mad at my partner‚ I say what I think without thinking about the consequences
155. My parents gave me enough clothes to keep me warm
156. My partner and I disagree about how much money to spend when we go places
157. Before age 15‚ I hit or threatened to hit my parents
158. I say mean things to my partner‚ but then tell him or her “I’m only kidding”
159. Before I was 18‚ another kid who was not part of my family did things to me that I now think was sexual abuse
160. On a few occasions‚ I have given up doing something because I have thought too little of my ability
161. It is sometimes necessary to discipline a child with a good‚ hard spanking
162. My mood is always changing
163. My parents helped me when I had trouble understanding something
164. My friends pressure me to do things I don’t want to do
165. I change suddenly from being one kind of person to another
166. Sometimes I have to remind my partner of who’s boss
167. There are more bad things than good things in my relationship with my partner
168. My partner and I disagree about how much time we should spend together
169. My parents helped me when I had problems
170. I have considered leaving my partner
171. Terrible things have happened to me that I remember over and over
172. Before age 15‚ I physically attacked someone with the idea of seriously hurting them
173. I have never deliberately said something that hurt someone’s feelings
174. I’ve been terrified by things that have happened to me
175. I’ve told others I will kill myself
176. I would be upset if someone hugged my partner a little too long
177. I would hate it if someone else paid a lot of attention to my partner
178. Before age 15‚ I stole money (from anyone‚ including family)
179. My partner and I have a very good relationship
180. I have a good social life with my partner
181. I feel sorry when I hurt someone
182. I have thought about killing myself
183. People at work or school don’t get along with me
184. I have been treated for a drug problem
185. My partner and I disagree about telling other people about things that happen between us
186. I would be mad if my partner flirted with someone else
187. I have bad dreams about terrible things that happened to me