Description

The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ-18-25), also referred to as the Attachment Relationship Questionnaire, is a psychometric instrument developed by Kim Bartholomew and Leonard M. Horowitz to assess characteristic patterns of adult attachment within close interpersonal relationships. The version presented here was adapted by V. Daskalou and E. Sygkollitou and was used to investigate attachment in specific relationships, particularly relationships with parents and close friends.

The questionnaire is grounded in the four-category model of adult attachment and consists of four descriptions, each corresponding to a distinct attachment pattern: Secure, Fearful, Preoccupied, and Dismissive attachment. These categories reflect different ways in which individuals experience emotional closeness, interpersonal trust, dependence, autonomy, and concerns about acceptance or rejection within significant relationships.

Secure attachment generally reflects comfort with intimacy and interpersonal closeness. Fearful attachment represents a desire for close relationships accompanied by concerns about rejection or emotional vulnerability. Preoccupied attachment is characterized by a strong need for closeness and greater concern regarding interpersonal acceptance, while Dismissive attachment reflects greater emphasis on independence and emotional distance.

An important characteristic of the RQ is its flexibility. The instrument can be adapted to investigate attachment patterns within specific interpersonal relationships rather than only general romantic attachment. In the application described in the source material, separate versions were used to evaluate attachment toward parents and friends. These versions were administered independently, with sufficient time between administrations to minimize response interference and confusion.

Data Analysis and Use

The RQ-18-25 can be analyzed either categorically, by assigning participants to the attachment style that best represents their interpersonal relationships, or through dimensional ratings when the conventional seven-point response format is employed. The specific analytical approach should therefore correspond to the administration procedure selected for the study.

In the adaptation described in the source, the questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 460 young adults aged 18–25 years, with an average age of approximately 21 years. Participants were primarily recruited from public vocational training institutes in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki and technical educational institutions in Thessaloniki. The sample included 209 men (45.4%) and 251 women (54.6%). Participation was voluntary, and administration took place during class sessions under researcher supervision.

When attachment is treated categorically, statistical analysis may focus on frequencies and percentages representing the distribution of the four attachment styles. Associations between attachment classification and demographic, psychological, educational, or interpersonal variables can subsequently be investigated using appropriate categorical statistical procedures. When dimensional ratings are available, descriptive statistics and comparative or correlational analyses can also be conducted.

The RQ-18-25 is particularly useful in studies investigating adult attachment, interpersonal functioning, parent–child relationships, friendships, social adjustment, and close relationships. The ability to administer parallel versions referring to different attachment figures also enables researchers to examine whether attachment patterns remain stable or differ according to the specific relationship being evaluated.

Objective

The primary objective of the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ-18-25) is to collect information regarding different patterns of emotional attachment within specific close interpersonal relationships, including relationships with parents and close friends.

By distinguishing among Secure, Fearful, Preoccupied, and Dismissive attachment patterns, the instrument provides a concise framework for examining how individuals experience closeness, trust, dependence, emotional security, and interpersonal distance.

Its relationship-specific adaptability makes the questionnaire particularly useful when researchers wish to determine whether an individual’s attachment orientation differs across important interpersonal contexts. The RQ-18-25 can therefore contribute to research in social psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, counseling psychology, family studies, and interpersonal relationship research.

Scoring

The original Relationship Questionnaire typically employs a seven-point rating scale, allowing respondents to indicate the degree to which each attachment description corresponds to their experiences. In the study presented in the source material, however, participants were asked to categorically select the statement that best described their relationship with their parents and, separately, their relationship with close friends.

For attachment to parents, 42.7% of participants were classified as Secure, 11.3% as Fearful, 12.5% as Preoccupied, and 32.4% as Dismissive.

For attachment to friends, 45.3% were classified as Secure, 18.5% as Fearful, 17.8% as Preoccupied, and 18.5% as Dismissive.

These percentages represent findings from the specific study sample and should not be interpreted as universal normative cut-off values. When the instrument is used in new research, scoring and interpretation should follow the response format and methodological protocol selected for that particular application.

Interpretation

Interpretation of the RQ-18-25 focuses primarily on the attachment pattern that most closely characterizes the respondent’s relationship with a specific attachment figure. A Secure classification indicates greater comfort with closeness and interpersonal connection, whereas Fearful, Preoccupied, and Dismissive classifications represent different configurations of emotional closeness, concerns about relationships, and interpersonal distance.

Because attachment may vary according to the relationship under consideration, classifications obtained for parents, friends, partners, or other significant individuals should not automatically be assumed to represent an invariant personality characteristic. The relationship-specific nature of the questionnaire can instead be used to explore variations in attachment across different interpersonal contexts.

References

Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment Styles Among Young Adults: A Test of a Four-Category Model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226–244.