Self-assessment of interpersonal schemas using the relationship patterns questionnaire:: A quantitative approach

This article reviews measures used to assess relationship patterns, 1 of which is the Relationship Patterns Questionnaire (RPQ) developed by Kurth and Pokorny (1999). The RPQ is based on the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (Benjamin, 1974) and the core conflictual relationship theme (Luborsky, 1977). Using data from a representative German population survey (N=2,007), the authors introduced empirical RPQ scales for the reaction of the object, reaction of the subject, and introject items to complement the theoretical scales of the questionnaire. Means and standard deviations according to age, gender, and place of residence are reported as well as correlations between the scales and their dependency on sociodemographic parameters. The empirical scales show good internal consistency and clinical relevance. Thus, the RPQ is suitable to identify a patient's relationship patterns quickly and economically both in practice and in research.