Development and Empirical Validation of the Romantic Over-Involvement Behavior Scale: A Multidimensional Assessment in Intimate Relationships

This study developed and validated the Romantic Over-Involvement Behavior Scale (ROIBS) to assess multidimensional behavioral patterns in intimate relationships. Through a systematic literature review, five dimensions of irrational beliefs, which were operationalized as behavioral indicators, were identified and refined into a 13-item scale across three validated dimensions: Excessive Sacrifice (financial/time overcommitment), Post-Breakup Persistence (relational reconciliation attempts), and Intrusive Interference (boundary violations). Two-phase data collection (N = 287 Chinese undergraduates) involved exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, confirming robust psychometric properties (Cronbachs = .92; RMSEA = 0.069; CFI = 0.951). Results revealed significant correlations between over-involvement and general self-efficacy (r= .20, p= .031), suggesting individuals with higher self-efficacy may invest excessively in relationships. Latent profile analysis identified three subgroups: Normative, Moderate Investment, and High-Risk (extreme persistence behaviors). As the first scale measuring behavioral manifestations of romantic over-involvement, the ROIBS enables clinicians to identify maladaptive relational patterns and targeted interventions for boundary-setting skills training. Limitations include sample homogeneity and cross-sectional design, warranting broader future applications.