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Article
Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ) Subscales: Development, Reliability, and Validity
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma
  • Danielle Horrigan Millen, Nova Southeastern University
  • Tom D. Kennedy, Nova Southeastern University
  • Ryan A. Black, Nova Southeastern University, Center for Psych Studies
  • David B. Detullio, Nova Southeastern University
  • Lenore E Walker, Nova Southeastern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Disciplines
Abstract/Excerpt

The current study describes the development and evaluation of the reliability and validity of four components of a comprehensive assessment designed for the purpose of identifying women who manifest symptoms due to an intimate partner violence (IPV) relationship: The Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ). More specifically, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure, validity, temporal stability and internal consistency of four instruments for measuring current functioning of IPV survivors; (a) Interpersonal relationship (BWSQ-IR), (b) Sexual Dysfunction (BWSQ-SD), (c) Body Image (BWSQ-BI), and (d) Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist (BWSQ-PTSC). Overall, results indicate the BWSQ subscales have good temporal stability and internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis of the four subscales indicate that each has a unidimensional factor structure. Internal consistency was high for each of the subscales. A two-way mixed effects model, intraclass correlation was used to demonstrate a high degree of test-retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated by comparing each subscale with the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), the Derogatis Interview of Sexual Functioning – Sexual Response (DISF-SR), the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI). The four instruments demonstrate sound psychometric properties as standalone measures as well as subscales of the BWSQ.

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2019.1627684
Citation Information
Danielle Horrigan Millen, Tom D. Kennedy, Ryan A. Black, David B. Detullio, et al.. "Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ) Subscales: Development, Reliability, and Validity" Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Vol. 28 Iss. 7 (Special Issue Part II: Traumatic Brain Injury and Domestic Violence Victimization) (2019) p. 848 - 869 ISSN: 1545-083X
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ryan-black/84/