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Contents
- Abstract
- Method
- Selection of the “Closest” Relationship for RCI Development
- Selection of College Students as the Primary Population for RCI Development
- Identifying the Closest Relationship
- The RCI
- Assessing Frequency
- Assessing Diversity
- Assessing Strength
- The Problem of Duration
- An Overall Index of Relationship Closeness
- Results and Discussion
- Test–retest Reliability of the RCI
- Distribution of RCI Scores in the Primary Sample of Closest Relationships
- Association Between RCI Scores and Relationship Longevity in Primary Sample
- Closest Relationship RCI Scores Contrasted With RCI Scores of a Not-Close Relationship
- RCI Scores Contrasted to a Subjective Closeness Index in Primary Sample of Closest Relationships
- RCI Scores Contrasted to Three Measures of Relationship Affect
- Emotional Tone Index
- Affect for Partner Index
- Rubin's Loving and Liking scales
- Correspondence Between Romantic Partners on RCI Scores
- Predictive Validity of the RCI Compared With Longevity, Subjective Closeness, and Hedonic Emotional Tone in Primary Sample
- Conclusions
- Appendix A
- Appendix B
Figures and Tables
Abstract
This article describes the development of the Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI), which draws on the conceptualization of closeness as high interdependence between two people's activities proposed by Kelley et al. (1983). The current “closest” relationship of individuals (N = 241) drawn from the college student population served as the basis for RCI development, with the closest relationship found to encompass several relationship types, including romantic, friend, and family relationships. The development and psychometric properties of the three RCI subscales (Frequency, Diversity, Strength), their scoring, and their combination to form an overall index of closeness are described. The RCI's test–retest reliability is reported and the association between RCI score and the longevity of the relationship is discussed. RCI scores for individuals' closest relationships are contrasted to those of not-close relationships, to a subjective closeness index, and to several measures of relationship affect, including Rubin's (1973) Liking and Loving scales. Finally, the ability of the RCI to predict relationship break up is contrasted to that of the Subjective Closeness Index, an index of the emotional tone of the relationship, and to relationship longevity. It is concluded that the RCI possesses acceptable internal and test–retest reliability, satisfactory discriminant and construct validity,...