A Systematic Review on Psychometric Properties of Instruments Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian Countries

This systematic review evaluates the psychometric properties of instruments used to assess intimate partner violence or domestic violence (IPV/DV) in South Asia. It addresses the need for culturally sensitive tools in IPV/DV research. The review identifies and critically examines IPV/DV instruments used in South Asian countries, assessing their cross-cultural validation and psychometric strength. Method: Databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library, were searched between June 1 and June 30, 2024. Out of 1,347 studies screened, 35 studies were assessed for full-text eligibility, 26 were excluded as they did not meet criteria, resulting in 9 studies being included for analysis. High reliability was found for: The Domestic Violence Questionnaire for Indian women (Cronbach's α = .94), Intimate Partner Violence Scale used among women with mental illness (Cronbach's α = .92), The Economic Coercion Scale used in Bangladesh (ordinal α = .88), Domestic Violence Scale for Intimate Partners in Pakistan (Cronbach's α = .951) and The Indian Family Violence and Control Scale, achieved high internal consistency .951. Additionally, an adaptation of the "Extended-Hurt Insult Threaten and Scream" was validated in Nepal. These tools developed in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal showed high internal consistency and reliability, though cross-cultural validation remains a challenge. The review highlights the need for further adaptation and validation of instruments to assess various types of IPV/DV to ensure their cultural relevance and effectiveness across diverse South Asian populations.