Variables | Measurements |
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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. |