ECR-R Attachment Style Test (36-item)
Measure your attachment anxiety and avoidance
How do you behave in close relationships? This 36-item test is based on the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), a widely used self-report measure of adult attachment in research. It scores you on two dimensions: attachment anxiety (fear of rejection and abandonment) and attachment avoidance (discomfort with closeness and dependence). About 8-10 minutes.
What This Test Measures
The ECR-R looks at two independent dimensions of how you attach to romantic partners:
1. Attachment anxiety — how much you worry that your partner doesn't really love you, that the relationship won't last, or that you'll be rejected or abandoned 2. Attachment avoidance — how uncomfortable you feel with closeness, dependence, and opening up, and how much you prefer to keep partners at arm's length
Both dimensions are scored from 1 to 7. Combining them gives a rough picture of four attachment styles: secure (low on both), preoccupied (high anxiety, low avoidance), dismissing (low anxiety, high avoidance), and fearful (high on both).
Where the Scores Come From
The ECR-R was developed by Fraley, Waller and Brennan (2000), who re-analyzed the original 323-item pool from Brennan, Clark and Shaver (1998) using item response theory. Each dimension averages 18 items. In a large online sample (N > 17,000), average scores were about 3.56 for anxiety and 2.92 for avoidance, and the two dimensions correlated around r = .40 — related but distinct.
How to Read Your Results
There is no "bad" attachment style. Anxiety and avoidance are strategies your attachment system learned, usually early in life. What matters more is whether they keep you from the kind of closeness you actually want. Scores above 4.0 on a dimension are high relative to the general online sample; below 3.0 is low.
Important Note
This is a self-assessment tool for reflection, not a clinical diagnostic instrument. If relationship distress is causing you significant suffering, talking to a mental health professional can help.
Scoring Guide
Each dimension = mean of 18 items (range 1-7).<br><br>**Reverse-scored items:** Anxiety: 9, 11. Avoidance: 20, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36 (reverse formula: 8 - raw score).<br><br>**Reference bands (large online sample):**<br>- < 3.0: low on this dimension<br>- 3.0-4.0: moderate, near the average range (anxiety M = 3.56, avoidance M = 2.92, N > 17,000)<br>- > 4.0: high on this dimension<br><br>**Non-clinical disclaimer:** self-assessment tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Based on Fraley, Waller & Brennan (2000), JPSP 78(2), 350-365.Result Interpretation
After completing the 36 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Dimension breakdown — separate scores for each sub-scale
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.