Measurement Invariance of Intimate Partner Violence: Sex and LGBTQ+ Comparisons

• In Event: Gender Differences: Measurement, Gender, and the Gender Gap

Abstract

Generally, instruments used to measure the prevalence and incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and/or victimization assume items in the instrument are invariant (or nearly invariant) across demographic groups. That is, the latent factor configuration and structure for any composite indicators of IPV are assumed to be similar across sex/gender, race and other groups. Yet, recent research has shown there may be significant variance across groups for certain items used in IPV measures. This study sought to investigate measurement invariance of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) across groups for sex and LGBTQ+ status. Data were collected from a general sample of adults in the U.S. using the CTS2. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine measurement invariance for the scales articulated by Straus and colleagues in the CTS2 for IPV perpetration and victimization.

Authors

• Jennifer Wareham, Wayne State University

• Shelly M. Wagers, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

• Christine S. Sellers, Texas State University