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Abusive Behavior Inventory
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About Abusive Behavior Inventory
Scale Name
Abusive Behavior Inventory
Author Details
Melanie F. Shepard and James A. Campbell
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Abusive Behavior Inventory (ABI), developed by Shepard and Campbell (1992), is a 30-item self-report scale designed to measure the frequency of physical and psychological abusive behaviors experienced by females with current or former intimate partners. Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, the ABI consists of two subscales: Physical Abuse (13 items, including 2 items assessing sexual abuse, e.g., hitting, forced sexual activity) and Psychological Abuse (17 items, e.g., verbal humiliation, controlling behaviors). The scale was developed to assess the prevalence and severity of intimate partner violence (IPV), providing a tool for clinical, research, and intervention purposes.
Participants rate the frequency of abusive behaviors over the past year (or relationship duration) on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 5 = “Very frequently”). Subscale scores range from 13–65 for Physical Abuse and 17–85 for Psychological Abuse, with higher scores indicating greater abuse frequency. The ABI was validated with 200 women (100 battered and 100 non-battered, mean age not specified, U.S.-based), showing that 90% of battered women reported physical abuse and 95% reported psychological abuse. The scale correlates with trauma symptoms (r ≈ 0.40–0.60), depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), and low self-esteem (r ≈ -0.25–0.45). It is used in clinical psychology, social work, and public health to assess IPV, guide treatment planning, and evaluate intervention outcomes.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Shepard and Campbell (1992) or authorized sources (e.g., Journal of Interpersonal Violence), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (females with current or former intimate partners) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of abusive behaviors, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 30-item scale in a clinical or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency of experiences over the past year or relationship duration.
- Estimated completion time is 10–15 minutes.
- Ensure a safe, distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) and provide support resources if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The ABI demonstrates robust psychometric properties (Shepard & Campbell, 1992). Internal consistency for the Physical Abuse subscale ranges from Cronbach’s alpha = 0.70 to 0.88, and for the Psychological Abuse subscale, it is inferred as comparable (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.80–0.90) based on total scale reliability. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but estimated as moderate (r ≈ 0.70–0.85 over 4–6 weeks) from similar IPV measures.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Conflict Tactics Scale (r ≈ 0.50–0.70; Straus, 1979) and trauma measures (r ≈ 0.40–0.60). Discriminant validity is shown by distinguishing battered from non-battered women. Criterion validity is evidenced by the scale’s ability to predict clinical diagnoses of abuse-related trauma. Factorial validity is confirmed by a two-factor structure (Physical and Psychological Abuse). Pairing with measures like the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) or the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus et al., 1996) enhances comprehensive IPV assessment.
Available Versions
30-Items
Reference
Shepard, M. F., & Campbell, J. A. (1992). The Abusive Behavior Inventory: A measure of psychological and physical abuse. Journal of interpersonal violence, 7(3), 291-305.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Abusive Behavior Inventory measure?
It measures the frequency of physical and psychological abusive behaviors in intimate relationships.
Who is the target population?
Females with current or former intimate partners.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies abuse patterns to guide clinical interventions and support services.
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