The scale of perceived interpersonal closeness (PICS)

Abstract The development and piloting of a new scale entitled the Perceived Interpersonal Closeness Scale (PICS) is described. The format of the PICS requires an individual to position other individuals within a circular ‘closeness’ space in which the distance between these others can be mapped as an ordinal distance rating. By removing the reliance on verbal ratings, the PICS is designed to be easily understood by respondents. The PICS is specifically designed to measure individual perception of interpersonal (socio‐emotional) closeness and captures both the individual's actual and ideal sense of perceived closeness and social support. The results illustrate that the scale has satisfactory psychometric properties, including short‐term test–retest reliability (median value r s = 0.77), and acceptable face, concurrent and discriminant validity. It is proposed that this instrument is a pan‐theoretical and psychometrically sound assessment tool that can be clinically useful, regardless of therapeutic orientation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.