ANALYSES OF RESPONSE SCALE FOR CONTENT OF LOVE MESSAGES AND MODALITY OF LOVE MESSAGES SCALES, IN COUPLES SEEKING PSYCHOTHERAPY: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

The study pilots a receiver-based response scale, derived from clinically observed relational stages, that captures qualitatively distinct positions toward individual love messages rather than simply their frequency or intensity. This pilot study examines the descriptive properties of the Content and Modality of Love Messages scales, developed within the framework of the Love and Rejection Messages Theory (LRM^T), in couples seeking psychotherapy. The study aimed to explore how relational behaviors conceptualized as love messages are distributed across items, partners, and response categories, focusing on the functional meaning of a 0–7 response scale reflecting qualitatively distinct relational stages. The sample consisted of 11 couples with a mean age of 35.86 years. Results indicated high internal consistency for both scales (α = .90 for content; α = .984 for modality) and substantial variability across items. Response distributions were generally concentrated in mid-to-high categories, with evidence of distribution toward higher scores, particularly for modality, which is expected in couples seeking therapy. No significant gender differences were found in mean scores; however, differences emerged in the distribution of response categories. At the couple level, marked asymmetries between partners were observed, particularly in dysfunctional relationships, highlighting discrepancies in the perception and experience of love messages. The findings support the descriptive utility of the scales and their capacity to capture meaningful variations in relational functioning, with implications for both assessment and therapeutic intervention.