Author:
Boyce Sabrina C.,Minnis Alexandra M.,Deardorff Julianna,McCoy Sandra I.,Challa Sneha,Johns Nicole,Aliou Sani,Brooks Mohamad,Nouhou Abdoul-Moumouni,Gochyyev Perman,Wilson Mark,Baker Holly,Silverman Jay G.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The field of violence prevention research is unequivocal that interventions must target contextual factors, like social norms, to reduce gender-based violence. Limited research, however, on the social norms contributing to intimate partner violence or reproductive coercion exists. One of the driving factors is lack of measurement tools to accurately assess social norms.
Methods
Using an item response modelling approach, this study psychometrically assesses the reliability and validity of a social norms measure of the acceptability of intimate partner violence to exert control over wife agency, sexuality, and reproductive autonomy with data from a population-based sample of married adolescent girls (ages 13–18) and their husbands in rural Niger (n = 559 husband-wife dyads) collected in 2019.
Results
A two-dimensional Partial Credit Model for polytomous items was fit, showing evidence of reliability and validity. Higher scores on the “challenging husband authority” dimension were statistically associated with husband perpetration of intimate partner violence.
Conclusions
This brief scale is a short (5 items), practical measure with strong reliability and validity evidence. This scale can help identify populations with high-need for social norms-focused IPV prevention and to help measure the impact of such efforts.
Funder
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynecology,Reproductive Medicine
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