Adult attachment: Investigating the factor structure of the Relationship Scales Questionnaire

Objective In this study, we aimed to conduct an in‐depth psychometric investigation of the Relationships Scales Questionnaire (RSQ). Method About 717 UK‐based participants responded to an online questionnaire (F = 540, M = 177; age range 18–66 years, M  = 25, SD  = 8.46). We conducted (a) a series of confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) to test previously published factor models of the RSQ, (b) traditional (exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis) and contemporary (exploratory graph analysis) exploratory techniques, followed by (c) validity and reliability analyses. Results Although the RSQ was developed to assess four categories of adult attachment (typological approach – i.e., secure, preoccupied, dismissing, and fearful), our findings do not support the hypothesis that the RSQ delivers a psychometrically consistent measure of adult attachment styles. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that a two‐dimensional approach (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) to assessing adult attachment is optimal.