A psychometric analysis of the Relationship Attribution Measure–Online Behavior

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the study is to develop and evaluate a measure of attributions about partner online behavior.BackgroundThe attributions that intimate partners make for one another's actions foreshadow deterioration in relationship satisfaction. Although online communication is now pervasive, tools for assessing the attributions partners make for online behavior (e.g., why a partner hasn't responded to a text message) are not yet available.MethodCollege students (Sample 1) and individuals recruited via Qualtrics panels (Sample 2) completed an online survey assessing attributions, relationship satisfaction, attachment anxiety, jealousy, and depression.ResultsThe Relationship Attribution Measure–Online Behavior (RAM‐OB) is internally consistent, unifactorial, and reasonably stable. Maladaptive attributions (i.e., internal, stable, and global explanations for negative behavior) are negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction and positively correlated with attachment anxiety, jealousy, and depression (Study 1). Further, we demonstrate that maladaptive attributions covary with lower levels of relationship satisfaction even after controlling for anxious attachment, jealousy, and depression, and that the relationship between attributions and satisfaction is stronger for women and for people living with lower incomes (Study 2).ConclusionThe RAM‐OB is a reliable and valid measure of the attributions partners make about online behavior.ImplicationsThe availability of the RAM‐OB may create new opportunities for understanding the role of technology and media‐related behaviors in intimate relationships.