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Abuse behavior inventory: cutpoint, validity, and characterization of discrepancies
Therese Zink1, Lisa M Klesges, Linda Levin
1Dept. of Family and Community Medicine,University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. zink0003@umn.edu
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|June 19, 2007
Summary
This study establishes a clinical cutoff score for the Abuse Behavior Inventory (ABI) to effectively identify physical and psychological abuse. The validated ABI score of 10 demonstrates high accuracy in detecting abuse experiences among women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Domestic violence, encompassing physical and psychological abuse, is a significant public health issue.
- Accurate measurement tools are crucial for identifying abuse and intervening effectively.
- The Abuse Behavior Inventory (ABI) is a 29-item scale designed to assess experiences of physical and psychological abuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine a clinical cutting score for the Abuse Behavior Inventory (ABI).
- To evaluate the validity and reliability of the ABI in comparison to the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2).
Main Methods:
- A sample of 392 women from primary care waiting rooms completed the ABI and the CTS2.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine the optimal cutoff score for the ABI.
- Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency, and correlations were computed between the ABI and CTS2.
Main Results:
- An ABI cutoff score of 10 was identified as optimal, maximizing validity.
- This cutoff yielded a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 81% when compared to the CTS2.
- The ABI demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .92) and significant correlations with the CTS2 (r = .76).
Conclusions:
- The ABI is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring physical and psychological abuse.
- A clinical cutoff score of 10 on the ABI can be effectively used in primary care settings to identify women experiencing abuse.
- These findings support the use of the ABI in clinical practice for abuse screening and intervention.
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