Self Analysis Paper

Experiences in Close Relationships (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998)

Instructions: The following statements concern how you feel in romantic relationships. We are interested in how you generally experience relationships, not just in what is happening in a current relationship. Respond to each statement by indicating how much you agree or disagree with it. Write the number in the space provided, using the following rating scale:

Disagree Strongly Neutral/Mixed Agree Strongly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

____ 1. I prefer not to show a partner how I feel deep down.

____ 2. I worry about being abandoned.

____ 3. I am very comfortable being close to romantic partners.

____ 4. I worry a lot about my relationships.

____ 5. Just when my partner starts to get close to me I find myself pulling away.

____ 6. I worry that romantic partners won’t care about me as much as I care about them.

____ 7. I get uncomfortable when a romantic partner wants to be very close.

____ 8. I worry a fair amount about losing my partner.

____ 9. I don’t feel comfortable opening up to romantic partners.

____ 10. I often wish that my partner’s feelings for me were as strong as my feelings for him/her.

____ 11. I want to get close to my partner, but I keep pulling back.

____ 12. I often want to merge completely with romantic partners, and this sometimes scares them away.

____ 13. I am nervous when partners get too close to me.

____ 14. I worry about being alone.

____ 15. I feel comfortable sharing my private thoughts and feelings with my partner.

____ 16. My desire to be very close sometimes scares people away.

____ 17. I try to avoid getting too close to my partner.

____ 18. I need a lot of reassurance that I am loved by my partner.

____ 19. I find it relatively easy to get close to my partner.

____ 20. Sometimes I feel that I force my partners to show more feeling, more commitment.

____ 21. I find it difficult to allow myself to depend on romantic partners.

Disagree Strongly Neutral/Mixed Agree Strongly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

____ 22. I do not often worry about being abandoned.

____ 23. I prefer not to be too close to romantic partners.

____ 24. If I can’t get my partner to show interest in me, I get upset or angry.

____ 25. I tell my partner just about everything.

____ 26. I find that my partner(s) don’t want to get as close as I would like.

____ 27. I usually discuss my problems and concerns with my partner.

____ 28. When I’m not involved in a relationship, I feel somewhat anxious and insecure.

____ 29. I feel comfortable depending on romantic partners.

____ 30. I get frustrated when my partner is not around as much as I would like.

____ 31. I don’t mind asking romantic partners for comfort, advice, or help.

____ 32. I get frustrated if romantic partners are not available when I need them.

____ 33. It helps to turn to my romantic partner in times of need.

____ 34. When romantic partners disapprove of me, I feel really bad about myself.

____ 35. I turn to my partner for many things, including comfort and reassurance.

____ 36. I resent it when my partner spends time away from me.

Scoring Instructions

STEP 1: Recode the reversed variables, such that 1=7, 2=6, 3=5, 4=4, 5=3, 6=2, and 7=1. Here are the item numbers of the reversed variables: 3, 15, 19, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, and 35.

STEP 2: Compute scores for the Avoidance dimension by adding your scores for the odd-numbered items (1,3,5, etc.), and then dividing by 18. Compute scores for the Anxiety dimension by adding your scores for the even numbered items (2,4,6, etc.), and then dividing by 18.

STEP 3: Understand what you scores indicate by looking at the following means:

N: mean: s.d.:

avoidance 1080 2.93 1.15

anxiety 1080 3.46 1.10

If your avoidance score is above 2.93, you may be considered “high” in avoidance; if below 2.93, then you are “low” in avoidance. If you anxiety score is above 3.46, then you are “high” in anxiety; if below that number, then you are “low” in anxiety.

Note that this measure is not meant to be scored in terms of categories (because attachment variables are not inherently taxonic), but if you want to do so, here’s a rough guide: If you are high on both scales, then you’re “fearful avoidant,” if you are low on both, then you’re “secure.” If you are high on avoidance but low on anxiety, then you are “dismissing.” If you’re high on anxiety but low on avoidance, than you are “preoccupied.”