Partners Strengths Questionnaire (PSQ)

The Partner Strengths Questionnaire (PSQ) was developed by Dr. Todd Kashdan, a professor at George Mason University. It was developed to assess the recognition and appreciation of character strengths among couples in romantic relationships. It offers a unique alternative to an individual assessing their own strengths by self-report. The test is psychometrically reliable and valid, across three samples (Kashdan et al., 2017).

Researchers using the PSQ attain a composite for strengths use as well as a composite for the two main factors found in the PSQ – strengths appreciation and strengths costs. Also provided are the subtotal scores for each strength, the names of the character strengths selected, and the recent situation/example provided about the partner’s use of the strength.

Partners Strengths Questionnaire (PSQ) Psychometrics

The internal consistency of the subscales, appreciation and perceived cost, were acceptable:

  • Appreciation subscale: Across 3 samples, Cronbach’s alphas ranged from .84 to .91.
  • Perceived cost subscale: Across 3 samples, Cronbach’s alphas ranged from .75 to .85.

Test-retest reliability:

  • 138 adults completed this follow-up.
  • Appreciation of partner strengths showed a correlation of .57, p < .001, with baseline scores.
  • Perceived cost of strengths showed a correlation of .61, p < .001, with baseline scores.
  • More details found in Kashdan et al. (2017).

Validity:

Validity data found in Kashdan et al. (2017).

PSQ Citation

Kashdan, T. B., Blalock, D. V., Young, K. C., Machell, K. A., Monfort, S. S., McKnight, P. E., & Ferssizidis, P. (2017). Personality strengths in romantic relationships: Measuring perceptions of benefits and costs and their impact on personal and relational well-being. Psychological Assessment. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pas0000464