Skip to main content
Log in

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment Scale

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims at examining the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment Scale (IPCS), which measures the three components of love (intimacy, passion, and commitment) in the triangular theory of love. Participants were 263 Hong Kong Chinese (108 males and 155 females) aged from 17 to 57 years (M = 24.34, SD = 6.01), who were involved in heterosexual romantic relationships. As predicted, the results of parallel analysis suggested a three-factor solution. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable model fit for the hypothesized three-factor structure. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the factorial invariance of the three-factor model across gender. The intimacy, passion, and commitment subscales demonstrated high internal consistency reliability. The three factors had substantial associations with relationship satisfaction, indicating adequate concurrent validity. Overall, the findings of this study provide initial support for the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the IPCS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acker, M., & Davis, M. H. (1992). Intimacy, passion and commitment in adult romantic relationships: A test of the triangular theory of love. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 9(1), 102–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adamczyk, K. (2017). Development and validation of a polish-language version of the satisfaction with relationship status scale (ReSta). Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9585-9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akaike, H. (1987). Factor analysis and AIC. Psychometrika, 52(3), 317–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aron, A., & Westbay, L. (1996). Dimensions of the prototype of love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 535–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevent evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5(3), 242–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 107(2), 238–246.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1993). Alternative ways of assessing model fit. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 136–162). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M., Larsen, R. J., Westen, D., & Semmelroth, J. (1992). Sex differences in jealousy: Evolution, physiology, and psychology. Psychological Science, 3(4), 251–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, G. W., & Rensvold, R. B. (2002). Evaluating goodness-of-fit indexes for testing measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 9(2), 233–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chojnacki, J. T., & Walsh, W. B. (1990). Reliability and concurrent validity of the Sternberg triangular love scale. Psychological Reports, 67(1), 219–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dion, K. K., & Dion, K. L. (1993). Individualistic and collectivistic perspectives on gender and the cultural context of love and intimacy. Journal of Social Issues, 49(3), 53–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel, G., Olson, K. R., & Patrick, C. (2002). The personality of love: Fundamental motives and traits related to components of love. Personality and Individual Differences, 32(5), 839–853.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fallahchai, R., Fallahi, M., Chahartangi, S., & Bodenmann, G. (2017). Psychometric properties and factorial validity of the Dyadic Coping Inventory - the Persian Version. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9624-6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrer, J., Tsuchiya, H., & Bagrowicz, B. (2008). Emotional expression in tsukiau dating relationships in Japan. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(1), 169–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao, G. (2001). Intimacy, passion and commitment in Chinese and US American romantic relationships. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 25(3), 329–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J. M., & Christiansen, K. (2009). The reliability of romantic love: A reliability generalization meta-analysis. Personal Relationships, 16(1), 49–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ha, T., Overbeek, G., de Greef, M., Scholte, R. H. J., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2010). The importance of relationships with parents and best friends for adolescents' romantic relationship quality: Differences between indigenous and ethnic Dutch adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 34(2), 121–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrick, S. S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50(1), 93–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrick, C., & Hendrick, S. S. (1989). Research on love: Does it measure up? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56(5), 784–794.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrick, S. S., & Hendrick, C. (1995). Gender differences and similarities in sex and love. Personal Relationships, 2(1), 55–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, F. L. K. (1981). Americans and Chinese: Passage to differences (3rd ed.). Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L.-t., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemer, G., Bulgan, G., & Yildiz, E. C. (2016). Gender differences, infidelity, dyadic trust, and jealousy among married Turkish individuals. Current Psychology, 35(3), 335–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemieux, R., & Hale, J. L. (1999). Intimacy, passion, and commitment in young romantic relationships: Successfully measuring the triangular theory of love. Psychological Reports, 85(2), 497–503.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lemieux, R., & Hale, J. L. (2000). Intimacy, passion, and commitment among married individuals: Further testing of the triangular theory of love. Psychological Reports, 87(3), 941–948.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lemieux, R., & Hale, J. L. (2002). Cross-sectional analysis of intimacy, passion, and commitment: Testing the assumptions of the triangular theory of love. Psychological Reports, 90(3), 1009–1014.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, M. B., & Davis, K. E. (1988). Lovestyles and attachment styles compared: Their relations to each other and to various relationship characteristics. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 5(4), 439–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Y.-H. W., & Rusbult, C. E. (1995). Commitment to dating relationships and cross-sex friendships in America and China. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 12(1), 7–26.

  • Malouff, J. M., Coulter, K., Receveur, H. C., Martin, K. A., James, P. C., Gilbert, S. J., et al. (2012). Development and initial validation of the four-factor romantic relationship scales. Current Psychology, 31(4), 349–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marston, P. J., Hecht, M. L., Manke, M. L., McDaniel, S., & Reeder, H. (1998). The subjective experience of intimacy, passion, and commitment in heterosexual loving relationships. Personal Relationships, 5(1), 15–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, J., & Fassinger, R. (2000). Measuring dimensions of lesbian and gay male experience. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 33(2), 66–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, T. K., Tsang, K. K., & Lian, Y. (2013). Acculturation strategies, social support, and cross-cultural adaptation: A mediation analysis. Asia Pacific Education Review, 14(4), 593–601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, T. K., Wang, K. W. C., & Chan, W. (2017). Acculturation and cross-cultural adaptation: The moderating role of social support. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 59, 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connor, B. P. (2000). SPSS and SAS programs for determining the number of components using parallel analysis and Velicer's MAP test. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 32(3), 396–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overbeek, G., Ha, T., Scholte, R., de Kemp, R., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2007). Brief report: Intimacy, passion, and commitment in romantic relationships--validation of a 'triangular love scale' for adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 30(3), 523–528.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Panayiotou, G. (2005). Love, commitment, and response to conflict among Cypriot dating couples: Two models, one relationship. International Journal of Psychology, 40(2), 108–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satorra, A., & Bentler, P. M. (1994). Corrections to test statistics and standard errors in covariance structure analysis. In A. Von Eye & C. C. Clogg (Eds.), Latent variable analysis: Applications for developmental research (pp. 399–419). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprecher, S., & Toro-Morn, M. (2002). A study of men and women from different sides of earth to determine if men are from Mars and women are from Venus in their beliefs about love and romantic relationships. Sex Roles, 46(5), 131–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiger, J. H. (1990). Structural model evaluation and modification: An interval estimation approach. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 25(2), 173–180.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (1986). A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93(2), 119–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (1988). Construct validation of a triangular theory of love. Unpublished manuscript.

  • Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Construct validation of a triangular love scale. European Journal of Social Psychology, 27(3), 313–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (2006). A duplex theory of love. In R. J. Sternberg & K. Weis (Eds.), The new psychology of love. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J., & Grajek, S. (1984). The nature of love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47(2), 345–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sumter, S. R., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2013). Perceptions of love across the lifespan: Differences in passion, intimacy, and commitment. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 37(5), 417–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, L. R., & Lewis, C. (1973). A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis. Psychometrika, 38(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tzeng, O. C. S. (1993). Measurement of love and intimate relations: Theories, scales, and applications for love development, maintenance, and dissolution. Westport: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitley, B. E. (1993). Reliability and aspects of the construct validity of Sternberg's triangular love scale. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 10(3), 475–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye, S., Ng, T. K., Yim, K. H., & Wang, J. (2015). Validation of the curiosity and exploration inventory-II (CEI-II) among Chinese university students in Hong Kong. Journal of Personality Assessment, 97(4), 403–410.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ye, S., Lam, Z. K. W., Ma, Z., & Ng, T. K. (2016). Differential relations of narcissism and self-esteem to romantic relationships: The mediating role of perception discrepancy. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 19(4), 374–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhuang, X. Y., Wong, D. F. K., & Ng, T. K. (2014). Cultural values of traditionality / modernity: Their differential impacts on marital conflict and marital satisfaction among female and male migrant workers in China. Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala / Review of Research and Social Intervention, 45, 56–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwick, W. R., & Velicer, W. F. (1986). Comparison of five rules for determining the number of components to retain. Psychological Bulletin, 99(3), 432–442.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was not funded by any source.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ting Kin Ng.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Conflict of Interest

Ting Kin Ng declares that he has no conflict of interest

Appendix

Appendix

Table 6 Items of the Chinese Version of the Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment Scale

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ng, T.K. Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment Scale. Curr Psychol 39, 58–67 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9731-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9731-4

Keywords

Navigation