Validity, Reliability, and Factor Analysis of Experiences in Close Relationship (ECR) Scale

The aim of current study was to investigate the validity، reliability، and factor analysis of Experience in Close Relationship (ECR) scale. A sample including 391 married individuals (189 male and 202 female) were selected from different region of Tehran by convenience sampling method. In addition to the ECR scale، data collection was by administering Depression، Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) for investigating the convergent and divergent validity of anxiety، and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) extraversion subscale was conducted for divergent validity of avoidant subscale. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicated that two factor model of ECR fit in Iranian sample. The convergent validity of anxiety was confirmed by depression and anxiety subscale of DASS-21 and the divergent validity with RSES. The divergent validity of avoidant was also confirmed by investigating its relation with extraversion subscale. The test-retest reliability over a two week period for total score and two dimensions of avoidant and anxiety were 0. 87، 0. 71، and 0. 89، respectively. The psychometric characteristics of ECR in Iranian society seem satisfactory. It could be said that the ECR is a useful and reliable tool for attachment research and couple counseling in Iran.