The Abusive Behavior Inventory

Abstract

Researchers have identified the need to develop instruments to measure domestic violence that include both physical and psychological abuse. Drawing from feminist theory, the Abusive Behavior Inventory (ABI) was developed to address a range of abusive behaviors. A validation study included a sample of 100 men and 78 women divided into groups of abusers/abused and nonabusers/nonabused. The study included the evaluation of three types of validity: criterion related, construct, and factorial. Significant differences in scores on the ABI were found between the abuser and nonabuser groups. These differences provide evidence to support the scale's validity in each of these areas.

Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment of Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Examining the Differences Between Public Assistance Recipients and Nonrecipients

“…The survey used a 5-point scale with answers ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The ABI has exhibited good reliability and construct validity in previous studies (Shepard & Campbell, 1992). Both subscales demonstrated good internal reliability in the current sample (Physical Abuse, α = .91 and Psychological Abuse, α = .93).…”

“…The Abusive Behavior Index (ABI; Shepard & Campbell, 1992) was used to determine the frequency participants experienced different forms of abuse. The original ABI includes 30 items and two subscales, Physical Abuse (10 items) and Psychological Abuse (20 items).…”

The prevalence and incidence of intimate partner violence in older women in primary care practices

“…The survey was adapted from validated instruments and included questions about mental status, 19 health conditions, 20 IPV, 20,21 and selected demographic information. Items identifying behaviors consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's definition of IPV were included 2 .…”

Taking Stock of Behavioral Measures of Adolescent Dating Violence

“…Further, some of the established measures used to assess adolescent dating violence were developed for adults, including the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS; Straus, 1979); the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS–2; Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996); the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES; Koss & Gidycz, 1985; Koss & Oros, 1982); the Psychological Maltreatment Inventory (PMI; Kasian & Painter, 1992; Tolman, 1989); the Abusive Behavior Inventory (ABI; Shepard & Campbell, 1992); the Interpersonal Control Scale (ICS; Stets, 1991); and the Domestic Conflict Index (DCI; Margolin, Burman, John, & O’Brien, 1990). This raises concerns about the applicability and developmental appropriateness of using these measures with adolescent populations.…”