Development of the Fear of Intimacy Components Questionnaire (FICQ)

Abstract

Abstract. We developed a new instrument designed to measure fear of intimacy in romantic relationships. We suggest assessing fear of intimacy through two dimensions: self-revelation and dependence. The Fear of Intimacy Components Questionnaire (FICQ) was validated across three studies in which a 10-item solution systematically emerged. Consistently with a two component perspective, a two-factor solution fitted data the best: fear of losing the self (FLS) and fear of losing the other (FLO). Qualitative analyses verified content validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses tested the factor structure. Multigroup analyses supported the structural invariance across gender, age, and relationship status. Both factors showed adequate discriminant validity and internal consistency, and good 3-week period test-retest reliability. Associations between the FICQ and insecure attachment orientations demonstrated convergent validity. The association between the FICQ and relationship satisfaction above and beyond a preexisting measure offered criterion validity. By going beyond traditional self-revelation-focused conception of fear of intimacy, that is, by proposing a bi-dimensional structure to fear of intimacy, we believe that this new measure will contribute to future research on fear of intimacy.

Who Can Give Me Satisfaction?

“…The Fear of Intimacy Components Questionnaire (Sobral & Costa, 2015) is an attachment-based questionnaire that assesses two dimensions of fear of intimacy within the current romantic relationship, namely, FLS and FLO. Each dimension is measured by 5 items.…”

“…Given that individuals with high levels of fear of intimacy feel discomfort with sharing and depending on their partners (Sobral & Costa, 2015), it is reasonable to assume that high-fear-of-intimacy individuals seek relationships with low levels of sharing and interdependence. Therefore, although individual fear of intimacy is associated with low relationship quality and length (Brunell et al, 2007; Descutner & Thelen, 1991; Thelen et al, 2000), this should be the case only for individuals whose partners “demand” sharing and dependency.…”

“…However, an intimate relationship requires not only the capacity to exchange thoughts and feelings but also the capacity to be autonomous and yet comfortable with dependence (e.g., Alperin, 2006; Arseth, Kroger, Martinussen, & Bakken, 2009; Beyers & Seiffge-Krenke, 2010). Following this line of reasoning, Sobral and Costa (2015) proposed a two-dimension conception of fear of intimacy that encompasses both exchanging and dependence as components of intimacy. The authors found empirical support for the existence of two components of fear of intimacy, that is, fear of losing the self (FLS) and fear of losing the other (FLO).…”

“…This is particularly important when considering fear of intimacy. That is, if high-fear-of-intimacy individuals feel discomfort with intimacy (Descutner & Thelen, 1991; Sobral & Costa, 2015), one may expect that these individuals can be satisfied within relationships where the levels of other components of relationship quality, such as commitment, are low. For example, commitment may be a weakest predictor of relationship satisfaction for individuals with high levels of FLS than for individuals with low levels of FLS, given that the former are more concerned with not losing their individuality in the relationship.…”

“…We do so considering three important research gaps. First, we distinguish the two dimensions of fear of intimacy (FLS and FLO; Sobral & Costa, 2015). Second, we examine the impact of fear of intimacy specifically on relationship satisfaction rather than on a higher order assessment of relationship quality indicators.…”