Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R)

Abstract

The Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire – Revised (ECR-R) is a widely used and highly cited self-report measure designed to assess individual differences in adult attachment styles. Developed by Fraley, Waller, and Brennan in 2000, the ECR-R refines earlier attachment scales by using sophisticated Item Response Theory (IRT) techniques to create a psychometrically robust instrument. It measures two continuous dimensions central to modern attachment theory: Attachment-Related Anxiety and Attachment-Related Avoidance. These dimensions allow researchers to categorize participants into the four main adult attachment prototypes (Secure, Preoccupied, Dismissing-Avoidant, and Fearful-Avoidant).

Keywords

Adult attachment, Attachment-related anxiety, Attachment-related avoidance, Close relationships, Psychometric scale, ECR-R, Relationship quality, Self-report.

Authors

R. Chris Fraley, Nils G. Waller, and Kelly A. Brennan (2000).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the ECR-R is to provide a precise and reliable assessment tool for capturing the continuous variation in Adult attachment patterns within the context of close, typically romantic, relationships. By measuring scores along the dimensions of anxiety and avoidance, the instrument allows for a nuanced understanding of how individuals regulate emotion, seek proximity, and manage interdependence in their intimate partnerships. The scale was specifically revised to improve the internal consistency and factorial purity of the existing measures.

Construct

The ECR-R measures the two fundamental dimensions of attachment organization in adulthood: Attachment Anxiety and Attachment Avoidance. The Anxiety dimension reflects the degree to which an individual worries about the availability and responsiveness of their partner, often stemming from fears of abandonment and rejection. The Avoidance dimension reflects the degree of discomfort an individual experiences with closeness and interdependence, indicating a preference for emotional distance and self-reliance. These two dimensions are independent of one another and can be combined to map onto the traditional four attachment styles.

Validity

The ECR-R demonstrates strong construct and discriminant validity. Studies confirm that the scale accurately measures what it intends to measure (the two core dimensions of adult attachment). Its two subscales correlate appropriately with measures of related constructs, such as relationship satisfaction, personality traits (e.g., neuroticism), and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the ECR-R scores predict various relationship outcomes, including conflict resolution styles and emotional support behaviors, demonstrating excellent predictive validity within the domain of intimate relationships.

Reliability

The reliability of the ECR-R is consistently reported as high across diverse samples. Fraley et al. (2000) demonstrated that both the Anxiety and Avoidance subscales exhibit high levels of internal consistency, typically yielding Cronbach’s alpha coefficients well above the standard threshold of .80. The scale also shows good test-retest reliability over short periods, indicating stability in attachment patterns, which aligns with theoretical expectations regarding attachment organization.

Factor Analysis

The ECR-R structure was rigorously tested using sophisticated statistical methods, including Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis, which confirmed its superior psychometric properties compared to previous measures. The definitive factor analysis consistently supports a robust, two-factor structure corresponding precisely to the Attachment Anxiety and Attachment Avoidance dimensions. Each of the 36 items loads strongly onto one of these two independent factors, providing clear empirical evidence for the conceptual model derived from adult attachment theory.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Psychometric scale

Format: 36 items, rated on a 7-point Likert scale where 1 = Strongly disagree, and 7 = Strongly agree.

Language Available: Primarily English, with translations widely available in numerous languages due to its popularity in cross-cultural research.

Population Group: Adults involved in or reflecting upon close relationships (typically romantic).

Age Group: Adolescence through adulthood.

Population Details: Originally validated on university student samples and subsequently validated across general adult populations.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate their level of agreement with statements concerning their feelings, attitudes, and behaviors in close relationships. Items marked with (R) are reverse-scored.

Keywords

IRT analysis, Romantic relationships, Attachment styles, Abandonment fears, Emotional regulation, Adult attachment, Social psychology.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information not provided in source)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Information not provided in source)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Information not provided in source)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The ECR-R is generally available for non-commercial academic research use without explicit fees, though users should consult the primary author’s website for the most current usage guidelines. The scale was published and validated in 2000.

The instrument can be found at the following URLs: http://internal.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/measures/ecrr.htm and http://internal.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/measures/ecrritems.htm.

Reference’s

• Fraley, R. C., Waller, N. G., & Brennan, K. A. (2000). An item-response theory analysis of self-report measures of adult attachment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 350-365.
• Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000). Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments, emerging controversies, and unanswered questions. Review of General Psychology.
• Fraley, R. C. (2002). Attachment stability from infancy to adulthood: Meta-analysis and dynamic modeling of development mechanisms. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6, 123-151.
• Sibley, C. G., & Liu, J. H. (2004). Short-term temporal stability and factor structure of the revised experiences in close relationships (ECR-R) measure of adult attachment. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 969-975.

Items of the Experiences in close relationships questionnaire – revised (ecr-r)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way. The source content provided two sets of items; both are included below.

General Close Relationships Items

1. I’m afraid that I will lose this person’s/others’ love
2. I prefer not to show this person/others how I feel deep down
3. I often worry that this person/others will not want to stay with me
4. I feel comfortable sharing my private thoughts and feelings with this person/others (R)
5. I often worry that this person/others don’t really love me
6. I find it difficult to allow myself to depend on this person/others
7. I worry that this person/others won’t care about me as much as I care about them
8. I am very comfortable being close to this person/others (R)
9. I often wish that this person’s/others’ feelings for me were as strong as my feelings for them
10. I don’t feel comfortable opening up to this person/others
11. I worry a lot about my relationship(s)
12. I prefer not to be too close to this person/others
13. when this person/others are out of sight, I worry that they might become interested in someone else (and leave/exclude me)
14. I get uncomfortable when this person/others want to be very close
15. when I show my feelings for this person/others, I’m afraid they will not feel the same about me
16. I find it relatively easy to get close to this person/others (R)
17. I rarely worry about this person/others leaving me (R)
18. it’s not difficult for me to get close to this person/others (R)
19. this person/others make me doubt myself
20. I usually discuss my problems and concerns with this person/others (R)
21. I do not often worry about being abandoned (R)
22. it helps to turn to this person/others in times of need (R)
23. I find that this person/others don’t want to get as close as I would like
24. I tell this person/others just about everything (R)
25. sometimes this person/others change their feelings about me for no apparent reason
26. I talk things over with this person/others (R)
27. my desire to be very close sometimes scares this person/others away
28. I am nervous when this person/others get too close to me
29. I’m afraid that once this person/others get to know me, they won’t like who I really am
30. I feel comfortable depending on this person/others (R)
31. it makes me mad that I don’t get the affection and support I need from this partner/others
32. I find it easy to depend on this person/others (R)
33. I worry that I won’t measure up to other people
34. it’s easy for me to be affectionate with this person/others (R)
35. this person/others only seems to notice me when I’m angry
36. this person/others really understands me and my needs (R)

Romantic Partner Specific Items

1. I’m afraid that I will lose my partner’s love.
2. I often worry that my partner will not want to stay with me.
3. I often worry that my partner doesn’t really love me.
4. I worry that romantic partners won’t care about me as much as I care about them.
5. I often wish that my partner’s feelings for me were as strong as my feelings for him or her.
6. I worry a lot about my relationships.
7. When my partner is out of sight, I worry that he or she might become interested in someone else.
8. When I show my feelings for romantic partners, I’m afraid they will not feel the same about me.
9. I rarely worry about my partner leaving me.
10. My romantic partner makes me doubt myself.
11. I do not often worry about being abandoned.
12. I find that my partner(s) don’t want to get as close as I would like.
13. Sometimes romantic partners change their feelings about me for no apparent reason.
14. My desire to be very close sometimes scares people away.
15. I’m afraid that once a romantic partner gets to know me, he or she won’t like who I really am.
16. It makes me mad that I don’t get the affection and support I need from my partner.
17. I worry that I won’t measure up to other people.
18. My partner only seems to notice me when I’m angry.
19. I prefer not to show a partner how I feel deep down.
20. I feel comfortable sharing my private thoughts and feelings with my partner.
21. I find it difficult to allow myself to depend on romantic partners.
22. I am very comfortable being close to romantic partners.
23. I don’t feel comfortable opening up to romantic partners.
24. I prefer not to be too close to romantic partners.
25. I get uncomfortable when a romantic partner wants to be very close.
26. I find it relatively easy to get close to my partner.
27. It’s not difficult for me to get close to my partner.
28. I usually discuss my problems and concerns with my partner.
29. It helps to turn to my romantic partner in times of need.
30. I tell my partner just about everything.
31. I talk things over with my partner.
32. I am nervous when partners get too close to me.
33. I feel comfortable depending on romantic partners.
34. I find it easy to depend on romantic partners.
35. It’s easy for me to be affectionate with my partner.
36. My partner really understands me and my needs.