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Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Controlling Behaviors in Adolescent Dating Relationships
Deziray De Sousa1, Alison Paradis1, Andréanne Fortin1
1Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|July 30, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed the Control in Dating Relationships Scale (CDRS) to measure controlling behaviors in adolescents. This new scale helps identify relationship control and inform prevention programs for dating violence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Controlling behaviors in adolescent dating relationships aim to manipulate partners' actions and beliefs.
- Such control negatively impacts victims' well-being and can escalate to other violence forms.
- A validated tool for assessing relationship control in adolescents was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Control in Dating Relationships Scale (CDRS).
- To provide a reliable measure for assessing controlling behaviors in adolescent dating contexts.
- To support research and prevention efforts concerning dating violence.
Main Methods:
- Two samples of French-speaking adolescents in dating relationships (N=636) were recruited via social media.
- Exploratory factor analysis identified a two-factor structure (Isolation, Domination).
- Scale reliability, temporal stability, convergent validity, and measurement invariance were assessed.
Main Results:
- The CDRS demonstrated a robust two-factor structure: Isolation (α=.88) and Domination (α=.84).
- Scores showed strong temporal stability over three months (Isolation r=.63, Domination r=.59).
- Cross-validation confirmed the scale's reliability and validity in assessing relationship control.
Conclusions:
- The Control in Dating Relationships Scale (CDRS) is a validated instrument for measuring controlling behaviors.
- CDRS aids researchers in identifying relationship control and its potential escalation to violence.
- Findings support the use of CDRS in developing targeted dating violence prevention programs.
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