Turning to the predictors of relationship quality, we measured family cohesion during childhood by the family cohesion subscale of the Family Environment Scale ( 24 ). For each of nine items, respondents indicated whether the statement about closeness in their family during their growing-up years was true. The items were summed for a total score. Possible scores range from 0 to 9, with higher scores representing higher levels of cohesion. The family cohesion subscale had a mean score of 5.9±2.8. Cronbach's alpha of reliability was .85.