Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Relational Interdependent Self –Construal scale

Abstract

Relational interdependent self-construal (RISC) can be described as the degree to which the individuals define themselves in terms of their intimate relationships. Due to the significance that this construct and its associated measurement, the RISC scale, have in individual and social processes, we conducted two studies in order to validate the scale for the Portuguese population. The 11 item one-dimensional RISC scale was translated into Portuguese and its psychometric properties were analysed with two samples: 399 participants for Study 1 (62.9% women and 30.8% men, aged between 18 and 59 years - M = 26.4; SD = 8.90) and 292 participants for Study 2 (57.9% women and 42.1% men, aged between 17 and 59 years - M = 26.37; SD = 8.87). The results confirmed the one-dimension scale structure, showing good values of validity and model adjustment (CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.87; NFI = 0.89; RMSEA = 0.09). The RISC-P scale proved to be invariant between gender, and significant differences between genders were found, notably that women have higher values of RISC. The good psychometric indicators and model adjustment validates the use of this version for the Portuguese population in many research settings (e.g. control for social desirability effect, analysis of convergent and predictive validity).