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The Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire (ASQ)
by
Dr. William E. Snell, Jr.

This page shows a copy of the Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire (ASQ).


ASQ

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIES: Sometimes people in close relationships don't want to do what their partner wants. The following questions pertain to how you avoid your partner's requests in such situations. Use the following scale to indicate how often you use the following types of avoidance strategies with your partner:
A ............. B ............. C ............. D ............. E
__________________________________
Do not use ...................................................................... Use very at all often
 

REMEMBER:
You will be indicating how often you use the following avoidance strategies in response to an unwelcome request from your partner.

1. I refuse his/her requests with an affectionate gesture (e.g., with a kiss).
2. I express displeasure through body language (e.g., facial disapproval).
3. I comply but unilaterally select the method and time of compliance.
4. I refuse the request in a forthright manner.
5. I tell my partner, "I don't want to."
6. I refuse and tell why I make the particular decision.
7. I make excuses for not complying.
8. I simply comply with the request.
9. I discuss the request with my partner.
10. I discuss my feelings about the request with my partner.
11. I make an excuse about why I can't (not won't) comply.
12. I suggest other options and alternatives to the original request.
13. I tell my partner to do it alone or with someone else.
14. I suggest a compromise.
15. I am persistent in not giving in to his/her request.
16. I simply do not comply.
17. I directly and angrily refuse to comply.
18. I withdraw emotionally from my partner.
19. I ignore my partner, or try to ignore the request.
20. I procrastinate until it is too late to comply.
21. I try to avoid the topic of the request in my partner's presence.
22. I change the subject, diverting attention to some other issue.
23. I persuade my partner to "see things my way."
24. I actually discuss my reasons for not complying with his/her request.

Copyright 1997.
Scoring Instructions for the Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire (ASQ)
CODING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ASQ ITEMS:
    The ASQ items are scored so that: A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4, and E = 5.  Two types of scale construction procedures can be used with the Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire (ASQ; Belk & Snell, 1988):
    First, two scales corresponding to the bilateral-unilateral and compliance-noncompliance dimensions can be computed by first multiplying item scores by their relevant MDS coefficients and then summing across the 24 items. Higher scores on the resulting two scales correspond to the use of bilateral (versus unilateral) and compliance (versus noncompliance) avoidance strategies.
    Second, four subscales corresponding to the factor analysis results reported by Belk and Snell (1988) can be computed. This is accomplished by summing the items scores for the following factors (underlined items are reverse-coded):
                Factor I (Unilateral Avoidance): (Items 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22).
                Factor II (Bilateral Avoidance): (Items 9, 10, 12, 14, and 24).
                Factor III (Noncompliance Avoidance): (Items 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 15, and 16).
                Factor IV (Unilateral Avoidance): (Items 3, 7, and 11).
Permission is granted to individuals to use the Avoidance Strategy Questionnaire (ASQ) for research purposes.
Permission granted by William E. Snell, Jr. on February 18, 1997.

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This site was last updated on June 17, 2007 .
Department of Psychology, SE Missouri State University
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Copyright @ 1997 to Dr. William E. Snell, Jr.