Overview
The Experiences in Close Relationships – Short Form (ECR-S) is a 12-item self-report questionnaire developed by Wei, Russell, Mallinckrodt, and Vogel (2007). It is a brief version of the original ECR and measures the same two dimensions of adult romantic attachment.
What it measures
Each dimension is scored as the mean of 6 items on a 1–7 scale (after reverse-scoring selected items):
- Attachment anxiety — fear of rejection and abandonment, and a strong need for reassurance.
- Attachment avoidance — discomfort with closeness and dependence, and a preference for emotional distance.
The ECR-S is shorter than the 36-item ECR-R while capturing the same two dimensions. Your result reports each dimension separately. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety or avoidance.
Reference bands (guidance, same framing as our ECR-R report): low below 3.0, moderate 3.0–4.99, high 5.0 and above. This is an educational screening measure, not a diagnostic test.
Reference
Wei, M., Russell, D. W., Mallinckrodt, B., & Vogel, D. L. (2007). Journal of Personality Assessment, 88(2), 187–204.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ECR-S?
The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale–Short Form (ECR-S) is a 12-item questionnaire by Wei, Russell, Mallinckrodt, and Vogel (2007). It measures adult romantic attachment anxiety and avoidance — the same two dimensions as the longer ECR/ECR-R.
Who should take the ECR-S?
Adults aged 18 and older who want a brief attachment-style screen in romantic relationships. It is useful when you want the two-dimension profile without completing 36 items.
How are ECR-S scores interpreted?
Each subscale is the mean of 6 items on a 1–7 scale after reverse-scoring selected items. Your LuriaLab report shows anxiety and avoidance separately with low (<3.0), moderate (3.0–4.99), and high (≥5.0) bands.
Does the ECR-S diagnose an attachment disorder?
No. It is a screening and self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Patterns can change over time; professional support may help if results concern you.
What is the ECR-S attachment style test?
The ECR-S is a validated 12-item short form of the Experiences in Close Relationships scale (Wei et al., 2007). It measures the same two dimensions as the longer ECR/ECR-R: attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance (means on a 1–7 scale). LuriaLab bands: low (<3.0), moderate (3.0–4.99), high (≥5.0) — screening only, not a diagnosis.
Related free screenings
- ECR-R — fuller 36-item attachment assessment
- Love Attitudes Scale — six love styles
- GAD-7 — anxiety screening
- What is attachment style?
References
Wei, M., Russell, D. W., Mallinckrodt, B., & Vogel, D. L. (2007). The Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR)-Short Form: Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 88(2), 187–204. Items from Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998).