A Measure of Possessiveness in Intimate Relationships

The Possessiveness Scale (PS) is a 21-item self-report measure of possessiveness in intimate relationships. Possessiveness in relationships was analyzed using an open-ended questionnaire administered to college students. An item pool was developed from these responses and administered to 134 students and nonstudent adults. Item analysis resulted in the selection of 21 items for the final scale. A sample of 290 undergraduate and graduate students was used in a series of reliability and validity studies. The scale was found to exhibit strong test-retest reliability over periods of 2 and 8 weeks, as well as a high level of internal consistency. Moderate construct validity was established by correlating the scale with descriptive adjectives and with measures of internal versus external control of reinforcement, romantic love, and platonic love. Concurrent validity was established by administering the PS to a group of 31 clinical subjects seeking help for relationship problems at a comprehensive community mental health center. This sample was further subdivided, by two therapists, into two groups. The first group was identified as individuals seeking help for relationship problems associated with possessiveness. The second group was identified as individuals seeking help for relationship problems unrelated to possessiveness. The PS was able to differentiate significantly beween the two groups.