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Relationship Questionnaire (RQ)


What it is​

The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) is a brief self-report measure of adult attachment style. It assesses how an individual typically relates to close others — including romantic partners, friends, and family — by asking them to identify which of four attachment styles most closely describes their general experience of intimate relationships.

Adult attachment theory proposes that early relational experiences shape internal working models that influence how individuals think, feel, and behave in close relationships throughout life. Understanding attachment patterns can be clinically informative, particularly in work focused on interpersonal difficulties, relationship problems, trauma, or personality.

How is it used​

  • Suitable for adults aged 18 and over
  • Takes approximately 2–3 minutes to complete
  • Identifies the predominant attachment style from four categories
  • Provides a starting point for exploring relational patterns within therapy, particularly approaches drawing on attachment theory (e.g. emotion-focused therapy, schema therapy, mentalisation-based treatment)
  • Not intended as a diagnostic tool — attachment patterns are dimensional and context-sensitive

The four attachment styles assessed are:

  • Secure — comfortable with closeness and interdependence; not excessively worried about relationships
  • Preoccupied (anxious) — desire close relationships but worry about others' commitment or feelings
  • Dismissing-avoidant — comfortable without close emotional relationships; values independence
  • Fearful-avoidant (disorganised) — wants closeness but is uncomfortable trusting others fully; fears being hurt

What do the scores mean?​

The RQ asks respondents to rate how well each of the four attachment style descriptions matches them on a 7-point scale (1 = not at all like me, 7 = very much like me). The style with the highest rating is taken as the predominant attachment style, though continuous ratings allow for a more nuanced picture of mixed patterns.

There are no clinical cut-off scores. Interpretation is primarily qualitative and relational, used to guide clinical formulation and discussion.

Developer​

The RQ was developed by Kim Bartholomew and Leonard Horowitz (1991).

References:

Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244.