Measurement questions related to cyber dating abuse: Comparing frequency versus perceived severity scales

• In Event: Advances in quantitative methods 1

Abstract

Cyber dating abuse (CDA) concerns the use of digital technology to control and monitor one’s intimate partner’s activities. CDA has been extensively researched in the past decade, and has often been linked to various negative outcomes, such as relationship dissatisfaction and mental health problems. Previous examinations of CDA victimization have almost exclusively applied frequency response scales, such that respondents indicated whether and how often the victimization occurred. While these previous studies have presented some important findings regarding CDA victimization, such as that more victimization is linked to increased feelings of anxiety and depression, such measures of frequency neglect the importance of the individual’s appraisal of the behaviour. Findings from qualitative research revealed that while CDA may occur rather frequently, many individuals do not consider most of these behaviours as serious. Conversely, some CDA behaviours may not occur frequent at all, but are almost by default appraised as serious and severe, such as coercing one’s partner to engage in online sexual activity (e.g., sending nude pictures). These examples illustrate the need for a re-evaluation and reassessment of CDA victimization measurement instruments. As such, the present study examines CDA victimization experiences not only by measuring how often the behaviours occurred (measurement of frequency), but also how serious individuals appraise these behaviours to be (measurement of perceived severity). Specifically, we examine the link between CDA victimization frequency and intensity, and the link between each of these measurements of CDA victimization with previously associated correlates such as anxiety, depressive symptoms, and relationship satisfaction.

Authors

• Janneke M. Schokkenbroek, imec-mict, Department of Communication Sciences & IRCP, Department of Criminology, Criminal Law & Social Law, Ghent University

• Koen Ponnet, imec-mict, Department of Communication Sciences, Ghent University

• Wim Hardyns, Professor, Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University