# Development and validation of the relational behavior interactions scale for couples

## TL;DR

This study created and tested a scale to measure how couples interact in their relationships, finding gender differences and behavioral predictions.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development and validation of a three-factor scale measuring relational behavior interactions in couples.

## Key findings

- The RBI scale has three factors: Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions, Fulfilling Obligations and Duties of the Partner, and Openness in the Relationship.
- Gender differences were found in the Fulfilling Obligations and Duties factor but not in the other two factors.
- Women's behaviors in Social Companionship and Openness significantly predicted their male partner's behaviors, moderated by relationship duration.

## Abstract

In this research, we developed and validated a measure of couple-based reported behavior interactions (RBI). Specifically, Study 1 was designed to describe the development of the scale and to examine its reliability; Study 2 (N = 222), was designed to examine factors that could differentiate men and women. Additionally, we tested if women's behaviors could predict their partner's behavior. Results from the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a three-factor structure for couples' RBI which were labelled: Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions (SAI) (Factor 1), Fulfilling Obligations and Duties of the Partner (FOD) (Factor 2) and Openness in the Relationship (OR) (Factor 3). In linear regression analyses, there was a significant difference between men and women in the second factor, which represents behaviors associated with fulfilling the responsibilities of a partner. On the other hand, neither the SAI factor nor the OR factor showed any distinct gender differences. The SPSS PROCESS analysis revealed that women's Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions (Factor 1), and Openness in the Relationship (Factor 3) significantly predicted their male partner's behaviors. The relationship duration significantly moderated the association between women's and men's behaviors for both factors. Results are discussed in light of the need for a broader understanding of romantic behavioral interactions.