Adaptation of the Accommodation among Romantic Couples Scale (ARCS) to the Spanish Population

Background: The different conflict resolution strategies that couples use are crucial in preserving or ending their relationships. Despite the importance of these strategies, no instrument for measuring them has been adequately adapted to Spanish culture. The goal of this study is to adapt the Accommodation among Romantic Couples Scale to Spanish culture, filling this gap by providing a rigorous instrument to evaluate the construct. Method: A total of 489 participants from the general population responded to the instrument after adaptation. The scale’s psychometric properties were then evaluated from a classical perspective. Results: The indexes of fit from confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fi t to the four-factor structure proposed by the authors of the original scale: voice, loyalty, exit, and neglect. The reliability of these dimensions was similar to that obtained in the original version. Evidence of validity relative to other variables indicated good convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Accommodation among Romantic Couples Scale is a reliable instrument with sufficient valid evidence to provide accurate measurement of conflict resolution strategies in couple relationships.Antecedentes: las diferentes estrategias de resolución de conflictos en la pareja son un aspecto fundamental en el mantenimiento o la ruptura de las relaciones. A pesar de su importancia, no existe un instrumento de medida adecuadamente adaptado a la cultura española. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar la adaptación al español de la Accommodation among Romantic Couples Scale (ARCS) con la finalidad de suplir dicha carencia y así contar con un instrumento adecuado para evaluar dicho constructo. Método: 489 participantes de población general respondieron al instrumento tras su adaptación. A continuación se evaluaron las propiedades psicométricas de la escala desde la perspectiva clásica. Resultados: los índices de ajuste del análisis factorial confirmatorio indicaron un buen ajuste a la estructura tetrafactorial propuesta por los autores de la escala original: expresión, lealtad, huida y negligencia. La fiabilidad de dichas dimensiones fue similar a la obtenida en la versión original. Las evidencias de validez en relación con otras variables indicaron una adecuada validez tanto convergente como discriminante. Conclusiones: la versión española de la Accommodation among Romantic Couples Scale es un instrumento fiable y con suficientes evidencias de validez para medir las estrategias de resolución de conflictos en la pareja de un modo adecuado.This research was made possible thanks to the financing provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness [Ref.PSI-2017-83966-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER/ UE)], as well as by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education (Ref.FPU14/02905)