Sustainable intimate relationship beliefs in digital romantic media contexts: development and psychometric validation of the SIRBS among Chinese college students

Introduction Digital romantic media may shape young adults' beliefs about intimacy, yet existing measures rarely assess relationship beliefs that jointly address autonomy, non-coercion, equality, and mutual growth. This study developed and validated the Sustainable Intimate Relationship Beliefs Scale (SIRBS) among Chinese college students. Methods An online survey yielded a final analytic sample of 2,008 participants, which was randomly divided for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability, factor-level convergent and discriminant evidence, measurement invariance, criterion-related associations, mediation, and moderation were also examined. Results The final 12-item scale comprised three correlated but conceptually distinct dimensions: Non-materialistic Relationship Beliefs, Low Control Tolerance, and Egalitarian Growth Beliefs. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the correlated three-factor model (CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.993, RMSEA = 0.036, SRMR = 0.026). Internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha = 0.845; McDonald's omega total = 0.91), and composite reliability ranged from 0.878 to 0.967. Omega hierarchical (0.59) and explained common variance (0.39) indicated limited saturation by a single general factor. Approximate measurement invariance was supported across male-female gender groups and romantic relationship experience groups. SIRBS scores were positively associated with media literacy and negatively associated with unsustainable romantic-script internalization. Discussion The findings support the three subscale scores as the primary basis for construct-specific interpretation. The total score may be used as a secondary broad composite but should not be interpreted as a strictly unidimensional trait.