Validity and psychometric properties of the measure of psychologically abusive behaviors among young women and women in distressed relationships

Diane R Follingstad; Ann L Coker; Eunkyung Lee; Corrine M Williams; Heather M Bush; Marta M Mendiondo

doi:10.1177/1077801215584070

Validity and psychometric properties of the measure of psychologically abusive behaviors among young women and women in distressed relationships

Violence Against Women. 2015 Jul;21(7):875-96. doi: 10.1177/1077801215584070. Epub 2015 Apr 29.

Authors

Diane R Follingstad¹, Ann L Coker², Eunkyung Lee², Corrine M Williams², Heather M Bush², Marta M Mendiondo²

Affiliations

¹ University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA follingstad@uky.edu.
² University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.

PMID: 25926051
DOI: 10.1177/1077801215584070

Abstract

The Measure of Psychologically Abusive Behaviors (MPAB) was developed recently to improve on prior scales. Two nationally solicited samples of women were utilized to further validate the MPAB through the use of a criterion group, factor analysis, and designation of a threshold for accurate classification. MPAB scores were twice as high in the criterion group (M = 38.75 vs. M = 18.85; F = 22.17). Using a cutpoint of 1, the sensitivity and specificity for MPAB were .725 and .628, respectively. Cronbach's alpha was .97 for both samples. These data provide additional evidence for the MPAB as valid and internally consistent.

Keywords: IPV in women; measurement; psychological abuse.

Publication types

Validation Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Bullying*
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
Male
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Sexual Partners*
Stress, Psychological
Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
Young Adult