Further psychometric examination of the Intimate Partner Violence Internalized Stigma Scale (IPVIS; Brunton & Harris, 2023): Examining criterion-related validity

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is any physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or violence, including stalking and coercive behavior such as degradation, intimidation, and control. IPV self-stigma is the awareness of and agreeance with negative IPV stereotypes/attitudes that are internalized by individuals victimized by IPV. IPV stereotypes contribute to self-stigma (e.g., internalization of beliefs and stereotypes, and anticipation of adverse reactions based on the stigma associated with IPV), which may be a barrier to help-seeking. However, the lack of psychometrically sound measurement of IPV self-stigma limits this area of research. The Intimate Partner Violence Internalized Stigma Scale (IPVIS; Brunton & Harris, 2023) was developed to fill this gap, and this study provides further psychometric examination of the scale by examining criterion-related validity and confirming the scale's factor structure. Participants, (n = 320, Mage = 38.46, SD = 13.65) predominantly Caucasian/white/European, identifying as female and heterosexual, well-educated and not under major or severe financial stress, completed the IPVIS and measures of IPV, fear of negative evaluation, emotional support, social isolation, anxiety, depression, IPV attitudes, devaluation/discrimination, and secrecy. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the previously established unidimensionality of the IPVIS and criterion-related validity was demonstrated by correlations with similar variables (depression and anxiety, rs = 0.36, devalued or discriminated against, r = 0.44 and secrecy as a coping orientation, r = 0.36). The IPVIS also predicted isolation (β = 0.24, p < .001) and secrecy (β = 0.34, p < .001). The scale showed strong internal consistency, ω = 0.96. Findings were replicated with a smaller subsample of 160 individuals (aged 18-75, M = 37.93, SD = 13.02, predominantly female, with a Caucasian/white/European cultural identity, heterosexual sexual orientation, well-educated and not under major or severe financial stress) who indicated emotional or physical partner abuse. The limitations of this study include the cross-sectional design, a lack of invariance tests and under-representation of certain minority groups. The key strength of the IPVIS is its demonstrated reliability, validity and as previously established, its potential suitability to examine IPV self-stigma for diverse individuals and relationship types.