A Scale to Measure College Student Relationship Involvement

Summary

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The Relationship Involvement Scale was created to allow individuals to identify the degree to which they are involved in a relationship. The developed scale includes norms, reliability, and validity and was completed by a total of 306 undergraduates at two southern universities. While there were no significant differences between women and men on perceived level of involvement. Whites were significantly more involved than non-Whites and seniors significantly more than freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Limitations and future uses of the scales are suggested.

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A Scale to Measure College Student Relationship Involvement

"We have been hanging out together," "We have a thing for each other," and "We are an item" are words individuals say to friends and family to express that they are involved in a relationship. But "exactly how involved is the couple?" we sometimes wonder. For most people, involvement is an important consideration in romantic relationships. Over 90% of Americans agree lack of devotion (e.g., infidelity) is wrong (Treas & Giesen, 2000). However, what people consider high devotion or involvement in a monogamous relationship greatly depends on how involvement is defined. Furthermore, people may dishonestly respond in socially desirable ways ...

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