Abstract

MENDEZ RANGEL, Fernando et al. Dating Relationships Multidimensional Inventory for Adolescents (DAMI-A). Acta de investigación psicol [online]. 2018, vol.8, n.3, pp.63-75. ISSN 2007-4719.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fpsi.20074719e.2018.3.07.

Research surrounding dating relationships in adolescents has been delayed because of several factors (Collins, 2003). Most of the research on this topic has been done in young and/or Anglo-Saxon populations; besides, changes in its perception have generated few useful instruments that can assess dating relationships and their inherent elements. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dating Relationships Multidimensional Inventory for Adolescents (DATMI-A). The sample consisted of 503 adolescents that voluntarily agreed to participate, with ages between 12 and 18 (M= 15.71, SD = 1.78), who had been involved in a couple relationship at least once in their life. Following the method proposed by Reyes Lagunes and García (2008), the inventory ended being constituted by two sub-scales: The Dating Relationship Meaning Sub-scale (53.81% explained variance, α = .886), and the Dating Relationships Motives Sub-scale (55.52% explained variance, α = .938). These results are compared to relevant literature regarding adolescent development and changes in their interpersonal relationships. Therefore, both meaning and motives meet the goals for this stage of life: The acquisition of an identity (Nahoul & González, 2013) and the satisfaction of socio-affective needs (Rice, 2001). These findings suggest a more effective and efficient measurement regarding the aforementioned dimensions of dating relationships, which serves as a cornerstone for future research concerning the identification of psychosocial factors surrounding this phenomenon in everyday lives of this population.

Keywords : Adolescence; Dating relationships; Measurement; Meaning; Motives.