Self-Internet Infidelity and Partner Internet Infidelity. The Only Romanian Psychological Instruments Assessing the Online Extradyadic Behavior

Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate the Romanian version of the Internet Infidelity Scale (IIS), and to determine its psychometric properties in Romanian couple relationships. Specifically, IIS assesses the severity of 44 specific acts on both the Self Infidelity and the Partner Infidelity versions. Methods: 675 participants completed the Romanian version of the Internet Infidelity Scale (RVIIS), the Infidelity Scale (DIS), the Extra-Dyadic Behaviors Inventory (EBI), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). We used the exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the structure and models fit for Self and Partner Internet Infidelity. The scale’s reliability, convergent and divergent validity were also tested. Results: The EFA and CFA analysis used for testing the matrix structure for Self and Partner Infidelity Scale revealed adequate models. An overall Cronbach’s alpha of .80 for Self-Infidelity Scale and .88 for Partner Infidelity Scale, showed good internal consistency. Positive levels of convergent validity for each scale revealed that the instruments measure what they have intended to measure. The good fit of the scales ensures a pronounced robustness of the construct. Conclusions: The validated Romanian version of the Internet Infidelity Scale (RVIIS) is a valid and reliable instrument in rating the severity of 6 specific behaviors on both the Self-Infidelity and the Partner-Infidelity questionnaire. Given the limited number of research on people involved in couple relationships in Eastern Europe thus far, it is essential to provide validated tools to develop research in these countries.