Description

The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-36 (ECR-36) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to assess adult attachment styles, focusing on romantic relationships. The scale consists of 36 items and is structured around two key dimensions: attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. These dimensions are based on the attachment theory, which posits that early interactions with primary caregivers shape one’s expectations and behaviors in close relationships throughout life.
Attachment Anxiety reflects the extent to which an individual fears rejection and abandonment.
Attachment Avoidance reflects the extent to which an individual avoids intimacy and dependence on others.

Data Analysis and Usage

The ECR-36 provides scores on two continuous scales (anxiety and avoidance). High scores on either scale indicate higher levels of attachment anxiety or avoidance, while lower scores reflect lower levels. These scores can be used in psychological research, clinical assessments, and even interpersonal relationship counseling. In particular:
Factor Analysis: ECR-36 can be analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis to validate its structure and ensure that the two-dimensional model fits the data.
Mean and Standard Deviation: Researchers typically compute mean scores and standard deviations for both attachment anxiety and avoidance dimensions to interpret the general attachment patterns in the population.
Reliability Testing: Cronbach’s alpha is often used to test the internal consistency of the anxiety and avoidance subscales.
Correlational Studies: The ECR-36 can be correlated with other psychological variables, such as self-esteem, depression, and relationship satisfaction, to explore how attachment styles impact various aspects of life.
Cross-cultural Validity: Some studies explore the cross-cultural applicability of the ECR-36, comparing attachment styles across different cultures.

Goal

The primary objective of using the ECR-36 is to assess attachment patterns in adults, particularly within romantic relationships. It serves both research purposes and clinical assessments, allowing professionals to understand individuals’ attachment behaviors and how these might influence relationship satisfaction, conflict, and emotional regulation. Specifically, the ECR-36 can be used to:
Identify attachment styles: It helps classify individuals as secure, anxious, or avoidant in their relationships.
Understand relationship dynamics: Clinicians and counselors can use it to explore how attachment insecurities manifest in romantic partnerships.
Develop therapeutic interventions: Insight into a person’s attachment style can help develop targeted therapeutic strategies to improve relationship quality.
Conduct academic research: The ECR-36 is often utilized in psychological and sociological research to explore the relationship between attachment and other variables, such as personality traits, mental health outcomes, and coping strategies.

Calibration

Scoring the ECR-36 involves a Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 7 (Strongly Agree) for each of the 36 items. The items are divided into two subscales:
18 items assess attachment anxiety.
18 items assess attachment avoidance.
Some items are reverse-scored to account for positive and negative wording in the questionnaire. After reverse scoring the relevant items, researchers compute the mean score for each subscale (anxiety and avoidance). These mean scores are then used to classify attachment styles and understand the attachment dimensions that characterize an individual.
A high score on the anxiety subscale indicates that the individual tends to worry about rejection or abandonment. A high score on the avoidance subscale suggests discomfort with emotional closeness and dependence on others.

Bibliography

Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46-76). Guilford Press.
This paper provides the foundation for the development of the ECR and discusses the dimensional structure of attachment anxiety and avoidance.
Fraley, R. C., Waller, N. G., & Brennan, K. A. (2000). An item response theory analysis of self-report measures of adult attachment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 350–365.
A key study applying modern psychometric methods to examine the reliability and validity of the ECR, helping establish its robustness.
Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000). Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments, emerging controversies, and unanswered questions. Review of General Psychology, 4(2), 132-154.
This review discusses the theoretical background of adult attachment and its relevance to romantic relationships, providing context for the application of the ECR.
Sibley, C. G., & Liu, J. H. (2004). Short-term stability and factor structure of the revised Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-R) measure of adult attachment. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(5), 969-975.
This study discusses the stability and factor structure of the ECR-36, offering insights into its longitudinal use in research.
Wei, M., Russell, D. W., Mallinckrodt, B., & Vogel, D. L. (2007). The Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR)-Short Form: Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 88(2), 187-204.
This article offers a shorter version of the ECR and analyzes its psychometric properties, providing useful comparisons for researchers.