title: The relationship assessment measure for same-sex couples (RAM-SSC): a standardized instrument for evaluating gay couple functioning.
abstract: The utility of a standardized relationship assessment tool for same-sex couples is evaluated in this preliminary study. The RAM-SSC, adapted from the Waring Intimacy Questionnaire (WIQ, Waring & Reddon, 1983; Waring, 1984), was administered to a clinical sample of 32 gay male couples beginning conjoint therapy and to a nonclinical comparison group of similar size from the gay community. Clinical sample couples reported significantly lower mean scores (less positive perceptions of functioning) in most dimensions of the RAM-SSC, compared to the nonclinical group, whose scores were found to resemble those of WIQ reference values for nongay male partners in heterosexual marriages. The RAM-SSC, therefore, can be considered as a potentially viable relationship measure for use in clinical work with gay male couples, for assessment and treatment outcome evaluation purposes. Further investigation into the psychometric properties of the RAM-SSC in terms of reliability and validity is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Immunodeficiency Clinic, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. bob.burgoyne@unh.on.ca
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Burgoyne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires