• 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

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

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

Validity

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. Ben Mortenson, Matthew Querée, Gita Manhas.

Date Last Updated

20 July 2020

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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