Relationship Catastrophization Scale (Recats)

The   ReCats (Doron et al., 2014)

This inventory lists different attitudes or beliefs that people sometimes hold. Read each statement carefully and decide how much you agree or disagree with it. For each statement, choose the number matching the answer that best describes how you think. Because people are different, there are no right or wrong answers. To decide whether a given statement is typical of your way of looking at things, simple keep in mind what you are like most of the time. Use the following scale.

Rate your replies as follows:

1

Disagree

Very Much

2

Disagree

Moderately

3

Disagree a little

4

Neither agree nor disagree

5

Agree a little

6

Agree moderately

7

Agree very much

1.

I would prefer almost anything over having to deal with the consequences of breaking up with my partner

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

2.

I always thought that intimate relationships are stupid and it’s better to be alone

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

3.

For me, being in an imperfect relationship is like betraying myself

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

4.

Being without a partner would cause great pain to me and everyone around me

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

5.

I think breaking up with a partner is one of the worst things that can happen to anyone

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

6.

I think bad romantic decisions almost always cost dearly

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7.

The thought of going through life without a partner scares me to death

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8.

In my opinion, a romantic relationship that doesn’t always feel right is probably a destructive relationship

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9.

“It is not good that the man should be alone” is a verse I live my life by

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

10.

It is clear to me that you can have a very good life even being in a bad relationship

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

11.

I am convinced that breaking up with my partner might cause both of us irreparable damage

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

12.

If there is something I don’t wish anyone, it is being alone in the world, without a relationship

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

13.

As far as I am concerned, there is nothing harder than dealing with a break-up

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

14.

I believe that making the wrong romantic choice is often a terrible thing

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

15.

I feel I can’t take back my romantic decisions

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

16.

I believe that being in the wrong relationship almost always leads to a wasted life

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

17.

I believe there is nothing more important than romantic relationships

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

18.

I believe that making the wrong romantic decision would put me on a path of great misery.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

19.

It is almost impossible for me to leave a romantic relationship

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

20.

For me, living without a romantic relationship is not living at all

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

consequences of separation :1,5,11,13,15,19

consequences of being in the wrong relationship :3,6,8,14,16,18

consequences of being alone: 4,7,9,12,17,20