There is a concrete definition and diagnostic need for addiction in romantic relationships. The present study aims to develop a scale to identify individuals’ addiction levels in romantic relationships. The Addiction in Romantic Relationships Scale was developed and tested on 1110 Turkish university students (61.4% female; mean age 21.2 ± 2.08 years). The factor structure was investigated with exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The scale consisted of a 13-item, three-factor structure (dedication, withdrawal, and obsession) that explained 62.4% of the total variance. The correlation coefficients between the Addiction in Romantic Relationships Scale subscales and the total score ranged from .74 to .86. The scale had good fit rates in terms of the confidential factor analysis (comparative fit index = .96, normed fit index = .95, goodness of fit index = .96, root mean square error of approximation = .55). Concurrent validity results showed that the Addiction in Romantic Relationships Scale had a high positive correlation between the love addiction criteria (r = .51) and Experiences in Close Relationship-Revised (r = .60). The scale had high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha= .87). As a result, the Addiction in Romantic Relationships Scale is a valid and reliable scale consisting of 13 items and a three-factor structure for evaluation of addiction in romantic relationships.

Keywords: Attachment, codependency, love addiction, romantic relationship, scale development