Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Iranian Version of Relational Rumination Questionnaire (RelRQ)

Abstract

Background: Among various types of rumination, relational rumination is distinct, defined as repetitive thoughts concerning the security of past or current romantic relationships. Although relational rumination is a promising area for further exploration, a comprehensive questionnaire to measure it was previously unavailable. The Relational Rumination Questionnaire (RelRQ) has emerged as a promising instrument for measuring this construct. Objectives: The present study investigated the factorial structure, psychometric characteristics, and measurement invariance of the RelRQ in an Iranian sample. Methods: A sample of 604 residents of Zanjan, aged 18 - 50 years, participated in this study. The RelRQ, following translation and back-translation, underwent assessment of construct validity via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), including examination of measurement invariance and criterion validity. Internal consistency reliability was determined. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 24. Results: The CFA demonstrated that the 16-item Persian RelRQ, with three factors — relationship uncertainty rumination (RU), romantic preoccupation rumination (RP), and break-up rumination (BU) — exhibited a good fit similar to the original version. These findings provide compelling evidence for the robust psychometric properties of the Persian RelRQ, including strong validity, reliability (α = 0.90), and measurement invariance across genders. Conclusions: This comprehensive assessment underscores the suitability of the instrument as a valuable research tool for investigating relational rumination in non-English-speaking populations.