Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Controlling Behaviors in Adolescent Dating Relationships

In adolescent dating relationships, controlling behaviors are typically used to alter the partner's behavior and beliefs. Control has deleterious consequences for the victims' well-being and has been shown to lead to the perpetration and escalation of other forms of violence (e.g., physical or sexual). Despite the importance of assessing controlling behaviors in adolescent dating relationships, no specific measure is currently available. To address this gap, the current study aimed to develop and validate the Control in Dating Relationships Scale (CDRS) which measures controlling behaviors in adolescent dating relationships. Two samples of French-speaking dating adolescents were recruited via social media (n₁ = 311; n₂ = 325). Results of the exploratory factor analyses conducted in the first study revealed a two-factor structure of Isolation (α = .88) and Domination (α = .84), as well as strong temporal stability of scores over 3 months for both Isolation (r = .63) and Domination (r = .59). These results were cross-validated in the second sample, with evidence of convergent validity and support for measurement invariance across the victimization and perpetration scales. The CDRS is a promising tool to aid researchers in assessing the presence of controlling behaviors in adolescent dating relationships and, consequently, help inform dating violence prevention programs on controlling behaviors, their consequences, and the risk of escalation into other forms of violence.