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Validation of the Propensity for Abusiveness Scale in Diverse Male Populations

NCJ Number
189083
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 59-73
Author(s)
Donald G. Dutton; Monica A. Landolt; Andrew Starzomski; Mark Bodnarchuk
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Michel Hersen
Date Published
March 2001
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article evaluated the performance and validity of the Propensity for Abusiveness Scale (PAS) in the self-reporting of intimate abusiveness.
Abstract
The Propensity for Abusiveness Scale (PAS) was designed as a self-report perpetrator profile for intimate abusiveness. It was empirically validated through reports of abuse by intimate partners. The original PAS was given to 144 men in treatment for partner abuse and 44 demographically matched controls. It was concluded that the PAS was a short, non-reactive assessment device with acceptable accuracy in classifying respondents as being one standard deviation above or below the mean on their female partners’ reports of abusiveness. This cross-validation study of the PAS required administration of the scale to new groups. Cross-validation was conducted with three groups of men that had not been presented for treatment of partner assault: non-violent clinical outpatient population, male college students, and gay men in long-term relationships. The psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory (PMWI) or the Psychological Maltreatment Inventory (PMI), a criterion measure for abusiveness was collected from intimate partners. In all groups, the PAS correlated significantly with partners’ reports of both physical and psychological abusiveness on subscales of the criterion measures: Dominance/Isolation and Emotional Abuse. For college students and wife assault groups, a new criterion measure was used: Severity of Violence Against Women Scale. The PAS correlated significantly with partners’ reports of threats and violence measured by this scale. The PAS appeared to provide a non-reactive assessment instrument that is a strong predictor of intimate abusiveness across a variety of populations. The overall performance of the PAS was acceptable in cross-validation groups and highly predictable in emotional abusiveness in all groups. In that these instruments were often used with men who already had long histories of intimate abuse, it was noted that the PAS could be used earlier and prior to criminal justice intervention. It could also be used to establish secondary intervention programs in high schools or in programs with an emphasis on prevention. Tables and references