Factor Structure of the Experiences in Close Relationships—Relationship Structures Scale (ECR-RS) in Siblings of Children with Chronic Disorders

Abstract

Our objective was to examine the factor structure of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationships Structures (ECR-RS), an attachment-theory based relationship measure, in at-risk sample comprising siblings of children with chronic disorders. Psychometric studies with general populations have demonstrated that the ECR-RS comprises two factors, representing anxiety and avoidance in close relationships. The sample comprised 103 siblings (M age = 11.5 years, SD = 2.2, range 8 to 16 years) of children with chronic disorders and their parents. The siblings completed a 9-item version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationships Structures (ECR-RS) about their relations with mothers and fathers that was analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis. We examined construct validity using correlations between sibling social functioning, measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and parent mental health, measured with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The ECR-RS comprised two factors, anxiety and avoidance, in line with previous studies. Both factors demonstrated significant overlap with sibling social functioning, but not with parental mental health. We conclude that the ECR-RS comprises two factors, anxiety and avoidance, that are related to siblings’ social functioning. The ECR-RS can be used as a psychometrically sound measure of relationship anxiety and avoidance in families of children with chronic disorders.