Construct Validity of the Relationship Profile Test: A Self-Report Measure of Dependency-Detachment

Abstract

This study evaluated the construct validity of the Relationship Profile Test (RPT; Bornstein & Languirand, 2003), a 30-item self-report measure of dependency-detachment that yields three subscale scores: (a) destructive overdependence, (b) dysfunctional detachment, and (c) healthy dependency. Scores on the RPT subscales generally showed the expected patterns of intercorrelations and gender differences, and comparison of RPT scores with scores on other tests supported the convergent and discriminant validity of each RPT subscale. Results of internal and retest reliability analyses were generally supportive as well, and suggested that the three RPT subscales assess aspects of the traits they purport to measure

Personality traits measured by the Swedish universities Scales of Personality: Factor structure and position within the five-factor model in an Estonian sample

“…Some studies indicated that Detachment was a sign of low sociability and thus related to Extraversion (3,12), whereas other studies showed its relatedness to Irritability, low Social Desirability and Suspicion (13,14). These results probably reflect the complex nature of the construct of detachment, which is a tendency to avoid close contacts but is also related to perception of others as hurtful or untrustworthy (15). The latter aspect is related to an affectiveÁcognitive side of aggression (irritability and hostility), but not necessarily to its behavioural component represented by Verbal and Physical Aggression scales of the SSP.…”

The adaptive and maladaptive faces of dependency in later life: Links to physical and psychological health outcomes

“…Finally, dysfunctional detachment is characterized by an inability or unwillingness to cultivate social ties and engage in adaptive affiliative behaviors. Bornstein and colleagues have developed a measure to assess these three types of dependency, and have confirmed its construct validity among college students (the Relationship Profile Test; Bornstein et al, 2002Bornstein et al, , 2003.…”

Crying in Context: Understanding Associations With Interpersonal Dependency and Social Support

“…Relationship Profile Test (RPT) -The RPT (Bornstein et al, 2003) is a 30-item questionnaire that assesses DO, DD, and HD. Responses were on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 (not at all true of me) to 4 (very true of me).…”

“…The RPT has good construct validity (Bornstein & Huprich, 2006;Bornstein et al, 2002;Bornstein et al, 2003). Cronbach's alphas for DO, DD, and HD in this study were .81, .76, and .80, respectively.…”

“…In order to asses this multi-component definition of dependency from the C/I perspective, Bornstein and colleagues (Bornstein, Geiselman, Eisenhart, & Languirand, 2002;Bornstein et al, 2003) developed the Relationship Profile relationships because they set their interpersonal goals unrealistically high and are frustrated when these goals are not met (Gardner & Helmes, 2006).…”