Validation of the subtle and overt psychological abuse scale: an examination of construct validity

Violence Vict. 2005 Aug;20(4):407-16.

Abstract

The Subtle and Overt Scale of Psychological Abuse (Marshall, 1999a) is a measure designed to examine previously unevaluated forms of psychological abuse. The scale was originally divided into seven subscales (overt: dominance, indifference, monitoring and discrediting; subtle: undermining, discounting, isolating). A sample of 172 women was used to evaluate the construct validity of this measure. In other words, the internal structure of the measure, its relation to other measures of physical and psychological abuse, and its relationship to other psychological outcomes. Empirical and theoretical approaches were used to replicate and examine the dimensions of this scale. Results revealed that this scale represents a unidimensional construct that is highly correlated to other measures of psychological abuse. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Battered Women* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Midwestern United States
  • Psychometrics* / standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Research Design / standards
  • Spouse Abuse* / diagnosis
  • Spouse Abuse* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*