Convergent and discriminant validity of the Accommodation Scale: Evidence from three diary studies

Three independent diary studies supported the convergent and discriminant validity of the Accommodation Scale (Rusbult, Verette, Whitney, Slovik, & Lipkus, 1991) by testing whether questionnaire-measured accommodation predicted individual differences in accommodation during naturally-occurring relationship interactions. First, across the three samples, questionnaire-measured accommodation predicted levels of diary-reported accommodation within – and only within – interactions in which participants were experiencing conflict. Second, questionnaire-measured accommodation within family relationships predicted accommodation within interactions with family members but not within interactions with friends. Third, the effects were evident controlling for global self and relationship evaluations. This research highlights the utility of diary methodology to test whether questionnaires capture the specific situation-behavior linkages they are designed to measure.