Development and Validation of a Measure of Expectations Toward Romantic Relationships (ETRR).

Abstract

The literature review shows a lack of standardized and validated scales assessing expectations toward romantic relationships in emerging adults. Hence, the main goal of this study was to design a tool that assesses romantic relationship expectations in Spanish-speaking emerging adults involved and non-involved in a romantic relationship, and to examine the psychometric properties and validity of this new measure. Participants included 1077 undergraduate and vocational training school students aged between 18 and 30 years, who completed the Expectations Toward Romantic Relationships scale (ETRR) and other measures (e.g., Experiences in Close Relationships, Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale), in order to analyze the convergent validity of the ETRR. With the aim of conducting the validation study and obtaining the psychometric properties of the scale, the sample was randomly split into two groups. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses showed a good fit for three factors that measured romantic relationship expectations (Stability; Caregiving; Conflict) with 19 items. Results also provided evidence of the ETRR's convergent validity through its´ significant associations with attachment-related anxiety and avoidance and some family-of-origin experiences. This study provides evidence on the reliability and validity of the ETRR in a Spanish-speaking sample of emerging adults, confirming the good psychometric properties of this new tool.