These measures come from this paper. I typically use a 6-point Likert scale (Strongly disagree … Strongly agree) with these statements. The trait measure is intended to capture seriality as an element of a conflict schema (i.e., a general belief), whereas the trait measure focuses on a specific episode.
Trait Seriality
Please answer the following questions about how you think about interpersonal conflict in general. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements.
Conflicts or disagreements in relationships are often connected by a common theme.
Conflicts or disagreements about different topics can be connected to a small set of fundamental issues.
Conflicts or disagreements about the same problem tend to come up multiple times in a relationship.
Conflicts or disagreements in a relationship resurface time and again for the same issues.
Conflicts or disagreements usually reflect larger underlying issues that exist in a relationship.
Conflicts or disagreements about the same issue can show up as discussions about different topics.
New conflicts or disagreements can often be traced to those that happened in the past.
Different conflicts and disagreements can be linked together by a common thread.
State Seriality
Thinking about the argument you described, indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements.
This argument can be connected to a common theme in our relationship.
This argument is connected to a fundamental issue in our relationship.
Arguments about the same underlying issue have come up multiple times in our relationship.
This argument reflects larger underlying issues that exist in our relationship.
The way this argument played out is part of an ongoing pattern in our relationship.
I can identify a clear thread connecting this argument to other arguments that occurred in the past.
Even if the topic seems different, this argument revolves around the same issue we had in the past.
I notice us revisiting this argument time and again in this relationship.
