Valentine’s Day is once again upon us and love is in the air.

The question is — do you have a relationship that will stand the test of time once the heart-shaped balloons deflate and the roses wilt?

A new seven-question test can help you find the answer…

Unlike the usual suspects when it comes to relationship quizzes, like “which celebrity couple are you,” this one has been scientifically validated across two intensive studies, demonstrating high levels of reliability.

Here are the details — and a link to take the test, if you dare…

Researchers at Stockholm University are publishing a study in the journal Cognitive Behaviour Therapy that introduces a scale designed to measure satisfaction in “love” relationships.

Known as the Valentine’s Scale, the test takes less than one minute to complete and consists of seven questions that touch on key aspects of your relationship, gaining insight on issues such as:

• Emotional closeness
• Trust
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving

With each question, you’re given four possible answers. And at the end of the test, answers are tallied for a total score as high as 21 points.

Along with the score, the test offers practical exercises, based on where you are in your relationship, that you can use to deepen cooperation and increase your sense of connection.

It’s simple, straightforward and easy to interpret.

“This scale makes it possible to quickly and efficiently get an idea of how a relationship is doing, without having to go through long and complicated interviews or questionnaires,” says Per Carlbring, professor of psychology at Stockholm University

Love and science revealed

But you’re probably wondering if it really works…

And the answer, according to studies that evaluated the relationships of 1,300 participants who completed the scale, is an emphatic “yes!”

In fact, the researchers say that the Valentine’s Scale is just as reliable as more complex tests that specialists use to measure relationship satisfaction. Yet, it can be done at home in 60 seconds or less with no specialist visit required.

Taking the quiz will have you answering the following seven questions:

1. How often do you collaborate well and solve practical problems with your partner?
2. How confident are you in confiding in your partner?
3. When you and your partner disagree or have a conflict, how often do you quickly get over it?
4. How often in the recent past have you thought that your relationship is not good?
5. How often have you recently considered separating from your partner?
6. How emotionally close do you feel to your partner?
7. Overall, how satisfied are you with your relationship?

The higher the score, the more harmonious the relationship — with a score of 14 or more considered to indicate a relatively well-functioning relationship.

It’s all about strengthening the relationship

As the researchers point out, no matter what your score is revealed to be — don’t panic.

The test is not meant to be a definitive assessment of where your relationship will end up. Instead, it’s a tool that couples can use to create an open dialogue toward a stronger relationship.

“Do the Valentine’s test as a step to start getting closer to each other on Valentine’s Day,” says Carlbring.

“If the test result raises concerns, it may be a good idea to talk about what lies behind the answers. Relationships are dynamic and affected by many factors. It may be stress, communication difficulties or other life circumstances. By reflecting together, you can find ways forward, whether it’s strengthening the relationship or making other decisions,” he advises.

If you’re interested, just click here to take the test and discover your Valentine’s score. Then give your loved one a great big hug and release that love hormone, oxytocin!

Sources:

For Valentine’s Day: Measure your relationship with a scientific self-test – EurekAlert!