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The rationale, development, and initial validation of the Perceived Relationship Knowledge Scale (PRKS), a brief six-item instrument designed to measure central aspects of perceptions of relationship knowledge, are described in this article. To test the instrument's psychometric properties, two studies were conducted: an exploratory study with a small clinical sample (n = 54; Study 1), and the second with a sample of participants in a statewide relationship education initiative (n = 2,183; Study 2). In both studies, exploratory factor analyses yielded a single-factor structure. Maximum-likelihood confirmatory factor analyses in Study 2 indicated good internal consistency and good model fit. Analyses of construct validity in both studies indicated that the PRKS measures relationship knowledge in psychometrically expected ways, and that the instrument discriminates low versus high levels of perceived relationship knowledge. The use of the instrument is described and research implications are discussed.
Key Words: couple relationship education, relationship knowledge, evaluation.
Couple relationship education (CRE) formats have become increasingly varied. A relatively common feature of CRE is a focus on relationship knowledge and skill acquisition (Markman & Halford, 2005). Brief formats are also becoming common. However, brief or lowintensity CRE may not create immediate behavior change, and its subsequent impact on behavior may be commensurately narrow and modest. Because gains in relationship knowledge may be an indicator of future behavior change, perceptions of relationship knowledge is an intermediate outcome variable that may be relatively more sensitive to short-term change. Thus, a measure of knowledge may be especially appropriate for use in brief CRE and other brief couple interventions.
The purpose of this study is to describe an instrument designed to assess relationship knowledge, the Perceived Relationship Knowledge Scale (PRKS), and to test its psychometric properties. Perceived relationship knowledge in this study is conceptualized as the respondents' assessments of their individual knowledge, awareness, and understanding of interpersonal interactions that nurture healthy couple relationships. We discuss the construct of relationship knowledge principally in the context of couple relationship education. The measure's items reflect basic content of CRE programs, including effective listening, conflict resolution, problem solving, closeness, friendship, and spending time together.
Couple Relationship Education
CRE has expanded over the past decade. Increased funding in the United States has contributed to this expansion (Hawkins et al., 2009), including...