THE PERSONAL AND RELATIONSHIPS PROFILE (PRP)

Abstract

The Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP) is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional psychological instrument designed to assess a broad spectrum of individual characteristics and experiences, particularly those relevant to interpersonal functioning, relationship quality, and risk factors for violence or distress. Developed by Murray A. Straus and colleagues, the PRP measures 25 distinct constructs, including 17 scales focusing on individual psychopathology and history (such as Borderline Personality Symptoms and Antisocial Personality Symptoms), and eight scales focusing on couple relationship dynamics (such as Conflict, Jealousy, and Relationship Distress). This instrument is widely used in research settings to explore the complex interplay between personal history, cognitive biases, and relational outcomes.

Keywords

Personal and Relationships Profile, PRP, Murray A. Straus, relationship assessment, domestic violence risk, psychological scales, Borderline Personality Symptoms, Antisocial Personality Symptoms, relationship distress, self-control, substance abuse.

Authors

Murray A. Straus, Sherry L. Hamby, Sue Boney-McCoy, and David Sugarman.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP) is to provide a detailed, empirically-derived measure of various psychological and historical factors that influence an individual’s behavior and the quality of their intimate relationships. It aims to capture key predictors of relationship conflict, dysfunction, and potential for violence, going beyond simple measures of satisfaction or conflict frequency.

The scale serves as a robust research tool, allowing investigators to concurrently evaluate elements of personal history—such as childhood neglect and exposure to violence—alongside current psychological states and cognitive tendencies, including gender hostility and self-control deficits. By integrating these diverse domains, the PRP facilitates a holistic understanding of the contributing factors to relationship success or failure, particularly in contexts involving high levels of stress or psychopathology.

Construct

The PRP is constructed around 25 distinct subscales, categorized into two main domains: Individual Characteristics and Experiences (17 scales) and Couple Relationships (8 scales). These constructs cover a vast psychological landscape, crucial for understanding maladaptive patterns in intimate relationships.

The 17 Individual Scales measure: Antisocial Personality Symptoms (ASP), Borderline Personality Symptoms (BOR), Criminal History (CH), Depressive Symptoms (DEP), Gender Hostility to Men (GHM), Gender Hostility to Women (GHW), Limited Disclosure (LD), Neglect History (NH), Positive Parenting (POS), Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTS), Sexual Abuse History (SAH), Self-Control (SC), Social Integration (SI), Stressful Conditions (STR), Substance Abuse (SUB), Violence Approval (VA), and Violent Socialization (VS).

The 8 Couple Relationship Scales focus on interactional patterns and beliefs about the partner: Anger Management (AM), Communication Problems (CP), Conflict (CON), Dominance (DOM), Jealousy (JEL), Negative Attribution (NA), Relationship Commitment (RC), and Relationship Distress (RD). This comprehensive structure allows for sophisticated analysis of how individual vulnerabilities translate into relational difficulties.

Validity

While specific detailed validity studies (e.g., convergent, discriminant) are typically provided within the scale manual, the extensive breadth of the PRP’s 25 distinct subscales suggests a strong foundation in construct validity. The scales are designed to measure established risk factors and psychological constructs known to correlate highly with relationship dysfunction and interpersonal violence, such as antisocial traits, emotional dysregulation, and hostile attributional styles.

The development process, spanning revisions in 1999, 2010, and 2011, indicates continuous refinement and empirical validation against theoretical models of relationship conflict and psychopathology, ensuring that the instrument accurately captures the intended underlying dimensions of personality and relational health.

Reliability

The PRP demonstrates generally acceptable to good levels of internal consistency across its numerous subscales, based on the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients reported in the source material (likely derived from test-retest data or comparison samples). The reliability coefficients for the 17 Individual Characteristics scales range from 0.64 (Self-Control) to 0.87 (Criminal History), with the majority falling above 0.70.

Specifically, high reliability was noted for scales such as Sexual Abuse History (0.81, 0.83), Substance Abuse (0.82, 0.81), and Depressive Symptoms (0.83, 0.79). The 8 Couple Relationship scales also show acceptable reliability, ranging from 0.61 (Anger Management) to 0.86 (Relationship Distress), demonstrating that the instrument consistently measures these complex relational concepts.

Factor Analysis

The clear differentiation into 25 separate scales implies that the development of the PRP relied heavily on advanced psychometric techniques, likely including extensive Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. This methodology would have been essential to ensure that the individual items cluster correctly into the intended factors (e.g., separating Depressive Symptoms from Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, or Jealousy from Dominance).

The results of such factor analyses underpin the instrument’s ability to provide granular data across distinct domains, rather than yielding a single, undifferentiated score of overall maladjustment. This structure confirms its utility in research requiring precise measurement of multiple, often correlated, risk and protective factors.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire, multi-scale assessment.

Format: Paper-and-pencil or digital administration, utilizing a 4-point Likert scale response format (1 = Strongly Disagree to 4 = Strongly Agree).

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

Population Group: Individuals in intimate relationships, or those who have recently been in one (lasting one month or more).

Age Group: Adults (implied by content related to criminal history since age 15, partner relationships, and substance abuse).

Population Details: Respondents are asked to answer questions about themselves and, if applicable, about their relationship with a current or most recent partner. Specific instructions are provided for individuals not currently in a relationship of sufficient length.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with 187 statements covering personal history (e.g., trauma, childhood experiences), psychological traits, and relational dynamics (e.g., conflict behaviors, jealousy). The scale is scored based on the 25 predefined subscales.

Keywords

Psychological assessment, relationship quality, domestic abuse, self-report, Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, violence socialization, psychometric scale, emotional regulation, internal consistency, Likert scale.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Correspondence generally directed to Murray A. Straus (likely affiliated with the University of New Hampshire based on the email domain).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was developed and revised across several years: 1999, 2010, and 2011. The instrument and accompanying manual are often made publicly available by the authors for research purposes. The original PDF manual for the instrument can be downloaded here: http://pubpages.unh.edu/ch‎armas2/PR10%2015%20Manual.pdf. Researchers should confirm specific usage permissions directly with the corresponding author, Murray A. Straus, regarding fees and usage rights for commercial or clinical application.

Reference’s

Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. (1999, 2010, & 2011). The Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP). Available online at the University of New Hampshire website.

The instrument manual is available at: http://pubpages.unh.edu/ch‎armas2/PR10%2015%20Manual.pdf.

Additional resources are 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