title: Development and validation of a couples measure of biased responding: the Marital Aggrandizement Scale.
abstract: More than 30 years ago, Edmonds (1967) recognized the need for a couples measure of biased responding. Like other categories of self-report instruments, marital measures are believed to be highly susceptible to distortion. In this study, we describe the development of the Marital Aggrandizement Scale (MAS). For this study, item analyses were performed on a subset of responses (n = 200). A priori inclusion criteria were applied from which a set of 18 items was selected. Three phases of validation research establish the reliability and validity of responses to the MAS among an international sample of older married adults (n = 410). The concurrent and discriminant validity of responses to this scale is demonstrated vis-à-vis separate measures of biased responding, marital satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Internal consistency was calculated as alpha = .84. Test-retest reliability was calculated as r(200) = .80 over an average interval of 15 months. The challenge remains to identify factors associated with the etiology and maintenance of this construct. Subsequent research is required to identify correlates and antecedents of marital aggrandizement across populations over time.
authors.affiliation: Gerontology Research Centre and Programs, Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre, Vancouver, Canada. ORourke@sfu.ca
authors.forename: Norm
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cappeliez
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results