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Table 1 Measurement scales to assess intimate relationship characteristics

From: The effects of intimate relationship characteristics on unprotected anal intercourse among same-sex male couples in China: a dyadic analysis using the actor-partner interdependence model

Variables

Measurements

Dependence measurement:

Depend subscale of Adult Attachment Scale

(range from 3 to 15)

Three selective items in the Depend subscale of the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) were used according to the understanding of definition and the reliability test (Cronbach’s α = 0.659).

Item 1: People are never there when you need them.

Item 2: I find it difficult to trust others completely.

Item 3: I am not sure that I can always depend on others to be there when I need them.

Participants respond to each item on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree).

The sum score of all items is calculated for each participant and higher score indicate higher level of dependence.

Relationship control measurement: Relationship Control subscale of Sexual Relationship Power Scale

(range from 1 to 4)

Relationship Control subscale of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) were used (Cronbach’s α = 0.803).

Item 1: If I asked my partner to use a condom, he would get violent.

Item 2: If I asked my partner to use a condom, he would get angry.

Item 3: Most of the time, we do what my partner wants to do.

Item 4: My partner won’t let me wear certain things.

Item 5: When my partner and I are together, I’m pretty quiet.

Item 6: My partner has more say than I do about important decisions that affect us.

Item 7: My partner tells me who I can spend time with.

Item 8: If I asked my partner to use a condom, he would think I’m having sex with other people.

Item 9: I feel trapped or stuck in our relationship.

Item 10: My partner does what he wants, even if I do not want him to.

Item 11: I am more committed to our relationship than my partner is.

Item 12: When my partner and I disagree, he gets his way most of the time.

Item 13: My partner gets more out of our relationship than I do.

Item 14: My partner always wants to know where I am.

Item 15: My partner might be having sex with someone else.

Participants respond to each item on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly agree, 4 = Strongly Disagree).

The average score of all items is calculated for each participant and higher score indicate higher tendency of actor control.

Relationship satisfaction measurement

(range from 0 to 10)

Item: What is your self-scoring of your satisfaction with your intimate relationship?

The full score is 10 and higher score indicate higher level of relationship satisfaction.

Sexual communication measurement: dyadic Sexual Communication Scale

(range from 8 to 48)

The Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC) was used (Cronbach’s α =0.853).

Item 1: My partner rarely responds when I talk about our sex life.

Item 2: Some sexual matters are too upsetting to discuss with my sexual partner.

Item 3: There are sexual issues or problems in our sexual relationship that we have never discussed.

Item 4: My partner and I never seem to resolve our disagreements about sexual matters.

Item 5: Whenever my partner and I talk about sex, I feel like she or he is lecturing me.

Item 6: My partner often complains that I am not very clear about what I want sexually.

Item 7: My partner and I have never had a heart-to-heart talk about what I want sexually.

Item 8: Even when angry with, my partner is able to appreciate my views on sexuality.

Participants respond to each item on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Agree, 6 = Strongly Disagree).

The sum score of all items is calculated for each participant and higher score indicate better communication.

Trust measurement: Dependability subscale of Trust Scale:

(range from −15 to 15)

The Dependability subscale of the Trust Scale was used (Cronbach’s α = 0.859).

Item 1: My partner has proven to be trustworthy and I am willing to let him/her engage in activities which other partners find too threatening.

Item 2: I have found that my partner is unusually dependable, especially when it comes to things which are important to me.

Item 3: I am certain that my partner would not cheat on me, even if the opportunity arose and there was no chance that he/she would get caught.

Item 4: I can rely on my partner to keep the promises he/she makes to me.

Item 5: Even when my partner makes excuses which sound rather unlikely, I am confident that he/she is telling the truth.

Participants respond to each item on a 7-point Likert scale (−3 = Strongly Disagree, 3 = Strongly Agree).

The sum score of all items is calculated for each participant and higher score indicate higher level of trust.

Relationship investment measurement: investment model Scale

(range from 0 to 24)

Three selective items in the Investment Size subscale of the Invested Model Scale (IMS) were used according to the understanding of definition and the reliability test (Cronbach’s α = 0.802).

Item 1: I have put a great deal into our relationship that I would lose if the relationship were to end.

Item 2: Many aspects of my life have become linked to my partner (recreational activities, etc.), and I would lose all of this if we were to break up.

Item 3: Compared to other people I know, I have invested a great deal in my relationship with my partner.

Participants respond to each item on a 9-point Likert scale (0 = Strongly Disagree, 8 = Strongly Agree).

The sum score of all items is calculated for each participant and higher score indicate more investment in this relationship.