Access Equal Partnership

Assessing Power in Relationships

Power Processes Scale

1. My partner tends to discount my opinion.

2. My partner does not listen to me.

3. When I want to talk about a problem in our relationship, my partner often refuses to talk with me about it.

4. My partner tends to dominate our conversations.

5. When we do not agree on an issue, my partner gives me the cold shoulder.

6. I do not feel free to express my opinion about issues in our relationship.

7. My partner makes decisions that affect our family without talking to me first.

8. My partner and I do not talk about problems until we both agree on a solution.

9. I feel like my partner tries to control me.

Power Outcomes Scale

1. When it comes to money, my partner’s opinion usually wins out.

2. When it comes to children, my partner’s opinion usually wins out.

3. It often seems my partner can get away with things in our relationship that I can never get away with.

4. I have no choice but to do what my partner wants.

5. My partner has more influence in our relationship than I do.

6. When disagreements arise in our relationship, my partner’s opinion usually wins out.

(Miller, Day, & Bogue, 2008; see Box 4.1)