Measuring Perception of Partner Psychological Abuse: Development, Reliability, and Validity Analyses in Nigeria and South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: Psychological violence within intimate relationships remains a significant public health concern across societies. Multiple scales have been developed to measure victimization and perpetration, aiding our understanding of their complexities. However, few empirically validated scales capture perceptions of psychological abuse or what individuals perceive as psychologically abusive behaviors, hindering our full grasp of the dynamics. This article addresses these gaps with the Perception of Partner Psychological Abuse Scale (PPPAS), which measures and enhances understanding of abusive behaviors within intimate relationships.  Methods: Preliminary activities included establishing face and content validity and conducting a pilot study to assess feasibility, suitability, and potential challenges. The main study (904 respondents: 441 from Nigeria and 463 from South Africa) utilized an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the factor structure of the PPPAS.  Results: The results indicate that the PPPAS effectively measures individuals' perception of partner psychological abuse. The identified 17-item, four-factor structure (i.e., verbal aggression/abuse, isolation/control, ignoring/neglect, and economic/financial abuse) aligns well with the data, with both collective and individual observed variables contributing to the measurement of the overall construct and its sub-constructs. Convergent validity captured the scale’s correlation with similar constructs, and discriminant validity established the scale’s ability to accurately distinguish itself from unrelated constructs.  Conclusion: The PPPAS adds to the arsenal of scales on partner psychological abuse. It is suitable for comprehending perception and its impact on victimization, perpetration, and the inclination for psychological abuse. Knowledge derived can promote accountability, facilitate behavior change, and empower victims to recognize and avoid abusive interactions.