Cited by 1,806Psychometric Methodologies and TestingAttachment and Relationship DynamicsFamily Dynamics and Relationships

Testing the ruler with item response theory: Increasing precision of measurement for relationship satisfaction with the Couples Satisfaction Index.

Funk, Janette L., Rogge, Ronald D.·2007·Journal of Family Psychology

Abstract

The present study took a critical look at a central construct in couples research: relationship satisfaction. Eight well-validated self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, including the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT; H. J. Locke & K. M. Wallace, 1959), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; G. B. Spanier, 1976), and an additional 75 potential satisfaction items, were given to 5,315 online participants. Using item response theory, the authors demonstrated that the MAT and DAS provided relatively poor levels of precision in assessing satisfaction, particularly given the length of those scales. Principal-components analysis and item response theory applied to the larger item pool were used to develop the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI) scales. Compared with the MAS and the DAS, the CSI scales were shown to have higher precision of measurement (less noise) and correspondingly greater power for detecting differences in levels of satisfaction. The CSI scales demonstrated strong convergent validity with other measures of satisfaction and excellent construct validity with anchor scales from the nomological net surrounding satisfaction, suggesting that they assess the same theoretical construct as do prior scales. Implications for research are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.572

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Authors
Funk, J. L., & Rogge, R. D.
Affiliations
University of Rochester (US)
Venue
Journal of Family Psychology
Published
2007
Volume
21
Issue
4
Pages
572-583
ISSN
  • 0893-3200 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1293
OpenAlex
W2116307289
Cited by
1,806
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 108 · 2025: 155 · 2024: 153 · 2023: 144 · 2022: 186 · 2021: 181 · 2020: 167 · 2019: 129 · 2018: 105 · 2017: 104 · 2016: 81 · 2015: 73 · 2014: 63 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 35
FWCI
19.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Family Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Rochester
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
Keywords
relationship satisfaction, measurement precision, scale development, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, item response theory, convergent validity, construct validity, nomological network, couples
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Psychological Tests, Psychological Theory, Internet, Principal Component Analysis

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