Development and validation of the couple’s basic needs assessment scale

The focus of reality therapy interventions in working with couples, is to raise couple’s awareness of their needs and to help them meet each other’s needs. Having a valid instrument is needed to measure these basic needs based on their manifestations in terms of close relationship of the couples. 

The aim of the present study was to develop and examine psychometric properties of the couple’s basic needs assessment scale (CBNAS).

The present study was correlational study. 1049 married individuals (504 women, 545 men) were selected by two-stage cluster sampling. The convergent validity was assessed by finding a correlation between the questionnaire of basic needs (Salari & Sahebi, 1383) and CBNAS.

the first half of the data was devoted to test the exploratory factor analysis and the second half of the data was devoted to test the confirmatory factor analysis. The exploratory factor analysis revealed the CBNAS comprises of five dimensions (security, love, power, fun, & freedom) and the result of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five dimensions. There was a strong correlation between the CBNAS and the questionnaire of basic needs, which supported the convergent validity for the the couple’s basic needs assessment scale (p<0/01, p<0/05). The reliability of the CBNAS demonstrated a good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha value of 0/90 and Test-retest value of 0/91.

the CBNAS could be used as a reliable and valid scale in couple therapy among Iranian couples.