• The EQR measures Affection, Emotional Intimacy and Communication. Useful in looking at aspects of relationships experienced by individuals with SCI.
  • More specifically, the EQR scale measures:
    • Feelings of affection and intimacy.
    • Ability to solve problems within the relationship.
    • Ability to communicate about sex with the partner.
    • Satisfaction with these areas and the relationship as a whole.

Clinical Considerations

  • 30% – 40% of the subjects thought the questions regarding sex were difficult to answer.
  • Due to the lack of current literature using this tool, other more mainstream methods such as client interview should be used in conjunction with this scale.
  • The tool could feasibly be used for individuals with both tetraplegia and paraplegia.
  • Staff burden is limited given the self-report nature of the scale.

ICF Domain

Activities and Participation ▶ Interpersonal interactions and relationships

Administration

Self-report instrument that takes approximately 2-5 minutes to complete.

Number of Items

7

Equipment

None

Scoring

  • Scores are summed resulting in a composite score that ranges from a minimum score of 7 to a maximum of 28.
  • Items are scored on a four-point ordinal scale ranging from 4 (very great) to 1 (very poor).

Languages

English

Training Required

Though no special equipment or training is required, items can elicit an emotional response that may require professional attention.

Availability

Can be found here.

# of studies reporting psychometric properties: 3

Interpretability

  • Higher scores indicates that the emotional quality of the relationship is stronger.
  • Mean values for SCI patients range from approximately 22 to 24.
  • There are no definitions and classifications of the results provided.
  • No cut-points or normative data have been established for the SCI population.
  • Published data for the SCI population is available for comparison (see the Interpretability section of the Research Summary sheet).

MCID: not established in SCI
SEM: not established in SCI
MDC: not established in SCI

Reliability – High

Internal consistency of the EQR is High (α = 0.85).

(Kreuter et al. 1994a; Kreuter et al. 1994b)

Validity – Moderate

The EQR is significantly (p<.01) and Moderately correlated with the:

  • Sexual Behaviour Scale (r = 0.45).
  • Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (r = -0.38).
  • Quality of Life (Visual Analog Scale) (r = 0.37).

(Kreuter et al. 1994a; Kreuter et al. 1994b)

Responsiveness

No values were reported for the responsiveness of the EQR for the SCI population.

Floor/Ceiling Effect

No values were reported for the presence of floor/ceiling effects in the EQR for the SCI population.

Reviewers

Dr. Carlos L. Cano-Herrera, Tyra Chu

Date Last Updated

31 December 2024

Kreuter M, Sullivan M, Siosteen A. Sexual adjustment and quality of relationships in spinal paraplegia: A controlled study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1996;77:541-548.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8831469

Kreuter M, Sullivan M, Siosteen A. Sexual adjustment after spinal cord injury (SCI) focusing on partner experiences. Paraplegia 1994; 32:225-235.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8022632

Kreuter M, Sullivan M, Siosteen A. Sexual adjustment after spinal cord injury (SCI) -comparison of partner experiences in pre- and postinjury relationships. Paraplegia 1994;32:759-770.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7885719

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