Scale Description

The Trust in Close Relationships Scale (TCRS) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the level of trust individuals have in their close relationships, such as in romantic relationships, family, and friendships. The scale examines the trust people feel towards those closest to them and can be used to identify issues or strengths in interpersonal relationships.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis of responses on the TCRS involves evaluating answers to a series of statements related to trust in close relationships. Responses are typically rated on a five-point Likert scale (from 1=Strongly Disagree to 5=Strongly Agree). The statements assess various aspects of trust, such as:

  • Reliability: How reliable the individual perceives the person or people in the relationship to be.
  • Honesty: How honest the individual perceives the behavior and intentions of their close ones to be.
  • Support: How supportive the relationship is and how expected the assistance from the other person is.
  • Behavioral Predictability: How predictable the behavior of the close individuals is.

Objective

The objective of the TCRS is to provide a valid and reliable measure of trust in close relationships. Some of the main objectives include:

  • Assessing Trust: Measuring the trust individuals feel towards their close friends, partners, or relatives.
  • Identifying Issues: Identifying areas in relationships that might be affected by low trust.
  • Examining the Relationship Between Trust and Other Variables: Understanding how trust affects or is affected by other aspects of psychological well-being and interpersonal interaction.

Calibration

Calibration of the TCRS involves calculating the total scores for various aspects of trust, as well as an overall trust score for close relationships. These scores can be categorized to reflect levels of trust:

  • Low Trust: Indicates that the individual has limited trust in their close relationships.
  • Moderate Trust: Indicates that the individual has moderate levels of trust.
  • High Trust: Indicates that the individual has high levels of trust in their close relationships.

Bibliography

Rempel, J. K., Holmes, J. G., & Zanna, M. P. (1985). Trust in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49(1), 95-112.

Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Adult attachment and couple relationships. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 516-537). Guilford Press.

Hale, J., & Berryman, A. (1999). The impact of trust on relationship quality and conflict resolution. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 16(4), 555-572.

Bradbury, T. N., & Fincham, F. D. (1992). Attributions in close relationships. In K. Sullivan & A. W. Sullivan (Eds.), Social psychology of close relationships (pp. 123-143). Oxford University Press.