A Psychometric Evaluation of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale – Subtle Version (IRMA-S-2022) and the Newly Developed Rape Myth Questionnaire – Short Form (RMQ-S) in Serbian Culture

Rape myths are false beliefs about rape that blame the victim and excuse the person who committed rape. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of two rape myth acceptance scales in Serbian culture: the Serbian adaptation of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale - Subtle Version (IRMA-S-2022) and the newly developed Rape Myth Questionnaire - Short Form (RMQ-S) in Serbian. The sample comprised 601 adults (50.9% men) from the general population of Serbia. The results revealed the five-factor in addition to the bifactor five-factor model as the best solution for the IRMA-S-2022, whereas the RMQ-S showed a one-factor structure. Scores on both instruments were gender invariant, with men obtaining higher scores. Furthermore, the scores showed good reliability based on internal consistency. The high correlation between the two instruments confirmed their convergent validity, as well as positive correlations with hostile sexism and victim culpability. Overall, the results support the reliability and construct validity of both instruments, and indicate that the RMQ-S is a useful nine-item tool, whereas the IRMA-S-2022 offers deeper insights into the acceptance of various subcategories of rape myths.