Dimensional Latent Structure of Relationship Quality: Results of Three Representative Population Samples

One central issue for every latent construct in psychology (e.g., relationship quality) is its latent nature: Differences in intelligence, for example, are traditionally considered to be dimensional (e.g., when quantifying intelligence by a standardized test score) rather than categorical (distinguishing different categories such as intelligent vs. unintelligent). When considering a categorical construct, such as Down syndrome, on the other hand, the characteristic is qualitative (groups are classified by existence or absence of an extra chromosome) rather than quantitative (varying degrees of Down syndrome). The group bound together by the possession of a certain characteristic (disease, d…