A Scale for Identifying “Stockholm Syndrome” Reactions in Young Dating Women: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity

Abstract

The factor structure, reliability, and validity of a 49-item scale designed to measure Stockholm Syndrome (also referred to as “traumatic bonding” and “terror bonding”), that is, bonding with an abusive partner, were assessed for college women in heterosexual dating relationships. Factor analysis identified three major factors: Core Stockholm Syndrome, characterized by cognitive distortions and other strategies for coping with abuse; Psychological Damage, marked by depression, low self-esteem, and loss of sense of self; and Love-Dependence, typified by the feeling that one cannot survive without one’s partner’s love. The scale and factors had excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliabilities. They correlated negatively with the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scale and positively with Horowitz, Wilner, & Alvarez’ (1979) Impact of Event Scale, Hyler and Rieder’s (1987) Borderline Personality Disorder Scale, Hatfield and Sprecher’s (1986) Passionate Love Scale, and Straus’ (1979) Verbal Aggression and Violence scales of the Conflict Tactics Scales.

Estilo de Apego en Mujeres y su Relación con el Fenómeno del Maltrato Conyugal

“…Otro modelo que plantea una interpretación para el comportamiento paradójico de las mujeres maltratadas es el tratamiento factorial de Graham sobre reacciones-tiposíndrome de Estocolmo en mujeres jóvenes que mantienen relaciones de noviazgo (Graham, Rawlings y Rimini, 1988;Graham et al, 1995). Su modelo factorial toma la forma de una escala de evaluación de 49 ítems alrededor de un núcleo caracterizado por distorsiones cognitivas y estrategias de coping, y dos dimensiones secundarias denominadas 'daño psicológico' y una más ambigua 'amor-dependencia'.…”

Applied Study of Affinities for Personal Attributes Using an Epidemiological Model

“…In some cases there is a psychopathological basis for a maladaptive affinity. For example, women who are dependent and who have low self-esteem are more likely to enter into abusive relationships (Graham et al, 1995) and children of alcoholic parents are more likely to choose alcoholic mates (Schuckit, Tipp, & Kelner, 1994).…”

A study of domestic violence against academic working wives in Medan

“…Women find themselves experiencing 'learned helplessness' (Walker, 1977) and cease trying to escape. Despite feeling psychologically trapped, women may form a traumatic bond with their abuser, thwarting any possibility to leave the relationship (Aguirre, 1985;Barnett et al, 1996;Graham et al, 1995).…”