Couple’s Affectivity Scale (CAS): A multidimensional instrument for measuring affectivity in a couple’s relationship
Rosalba Raffagnino, Ilaria Penzo
The purpose of the present study was to describe the development of the Couple’s Affectivity Scale (CAS),
a new multidimensional instrument for measuring affectivity in a couple’s relationship. It was based
on extensive and comparative literature review about both intimacy and attachment constructs and
measures. Its factorial structure and reliability as well as differences in the various dimensions according
to gender, length of the relationship and age, and their ability to predict relationship quality were
explored. A questionnaire included the CAS was administered to 582 partners of heterosexual Italian
couples. An exploratory factor analysis using the Principal axis factoring (PAF) and Promax method
supported that the CAS had 11 interrelated factors, all showing a good internal consistency. The quality
of couple’s relationship was positively influenced by Perceived Partner Responsiveness and Physical
Attraction and Sexual Satisfaction and negatively by Fears of Dependency and Control and Closeness-
Distance between Partners dimensions. Preliminary results support the applicability of the CAS in this
field of research. Limitations and future directions for research and applications of the measure were
suggested.
Keywords
Quality of couple’s relationship, Attachment, Intimacy, Measures.
