ECR-S · Close relationships
Explore how you relate to people close to you
Source · Wei M, Russell DW, Mallinckrodt B, Vogel DL. The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR)-Short Form. J Pers Assess. 2007;88(2):187–204. CareOps English translation of its existing Korean questionnaire. Wording, response choices and descriptive score ranges follow the CareOps version and have not been independently validated in English. The CareOps wording includes family and close friends as well as romantic partners, and is not an independently validated English ECR-S administration.
Read attachment styles along two dimensions
The ECR-S is a 12-item measure of anxiety and avoidance in close relationships. This page uses an English translation of the CareOps version, referring to a partner, family member or close friend. Keep in mind which relationship you are thinking about.
Reading your results
Anxiety concerns fears about being left or cared for less. Avoidance concerns discomfort with closeness or relying on someone. The style labels summarize two scores and can change near a boundary. Look at each dimension rather than using the label to define yourself or someone else.
A question to reflect on
Recall one recent upsetting conversation. Separate what the other person actually said, what you felt and what you wanted them to do. Bring that example alongside your results when exploring recurring relationship patterns.
Frequently asked questions
- How many questions are in the ECR-S attachment check, and how long does it take?
- There are 12 questions, and it usually takes about 2 minutes. For each question you choose one of 7 answers, from “Strongly disagree” to “Strongly agree”. There are no right or wrong answers.
- What are the four styles shown in the results?
- Anxiety and avoidance are each split at an average of 4, giving four summaries: low on both is comfortable with closeness and with time alone, higher anxiety only reaches out first, higher avoidance only gives others space first, and high on both holds both feelings at once. Scores near the boundary can read differently, so the two scores tell you more than the label.
- How do anxious and avoidant attachment differ?
- Anxiety is how much you worry about being left or cared for less. Avoidance is how uncomfortable closeness or relying on someone feels. Higher anxiety often means wanting reassurance more often; higher avoidance often means handling hard times on your own. Neither is a flaw: they are different ways of feeling safe in a relationship.
- Which relationship should I think about when answering?
- It does not have to be a partner or spouse. Think of one close relationship, such as a family member or close friend, and answer with that person in mind. Your answers can change depending on the relationship, so you can repeat the check with someone else in mind and compare.
- Do I need to sign in? Are my answers saved?
- You can see your results right away without signing in. Your answers are used only for scoring and are not stored on our servers.
- Can I bring these results into a counseling session?
- Use the analysis button at the bottom of the result screen to have a short conversation with Maeumi without signing in. After the conversation, you can continue in the app. The web conversation does not transfer automatically to the app.
- Can I share my results with a friend?
- Yes. Use Share at the top right of the result screen to send a friend the check itself, or share your result as a link or story image. A result link carries your scores inside the address only; it does not include your name or account, and nothing is saved on our side.