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Index of Psychological Abuse
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About Index of Psychological Abuse
Scale Name
Index of Psychological Abuse
Author Details
Cris M. Sullivan, Jacqueline A. Parisian, and William S. Davidson (1991); Cris M. Sullivan and Deborah I. Bybee (1999); K. Daniel O’Leary (1999)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Index of Psychological Abuse (IPA), developed by Sullivan, Parisian, and Davidson (1991) and further validated by Sullivan and Bybee (1999) and O’Leary (1999), is a 33-item self-report scale designed to measure the degree of psychological abuse experienced by females in dating and marital relationships. Initially presented at the American Psychological Association conference (1991) and published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1999), the IPA assesses behaviors such as ridicule (e.g., belittling), harassment (e.g., persistent unwanted contact), criticism (e.g., demeaning comments), and emotional withdrawal (e.g., silent treatment). The scale focuses on non-physical forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) to capture the emotional and psychological impact of abuse.
Participants rate the frequency of abusive behaviors over the past year (or relationship duration) on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 4 = “Often”). Scores range from 33–132, with higher scores indicating greater psychological abuse. The IPA was validated with samples of women in abusive relationships (e.g., 135 women in 1999, mean age ≈ 30–40 years, U.S.-based), showing that 80–90% reported frequent psychological abuse. The scale correlates with depression (r ≈ 0.35–0.55), anxiety (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 psychological IPV, guide community-based advocacy, and evaluate intervention outcomes.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Sullivan et al. (1991), Sullivan and Bybee (1999), or authorized sources (e.g., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (females in dating or marital relationships) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of psychological abuse, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 33-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; provide support resources (e.g., crisis hotlines) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The IPA demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Sullivan & Bybee, 1999). Internal consistency is very high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.97), based on samples of women in abusive relationships. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but estimated as moderate to high (r ≈ 0.70–0.85 over 4–6 weeks) from similar IPV measures. Construct validity is supported by correlations with the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory (r ≈ 0.50–0.70; Tolman, 1989) and mental health measures (e.g., depression, r ≈ 0.35–0.55).
Criterion validity is evidenced by the scale’s ability to predict psychological distress and differentiate abused from non-abused women. Factorial validity is inferred from its focus on psychological abuse constructs, though specific factor analysis details are limited. Pairing with measures like the Composite Abuse Scale (Hegarty et al., 1999) or the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) enhances comprehensive IPV assessment.
Available Versions
33-Items
Reference
Sullivan, C. M., Parisian, J. A., & Davidson, W. S. (1991, August). Index of psychological abuse: Development of a measure. In Poster presentation at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco (CA).
Sullivan, C. M., & Bybee, D. I. (1999). Reducing violence using community-based advocacy for women with abusive partners. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 67(1), 43.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Index of Psychological Abuse measure?
It measures the frequency of psychological abuse, including ridicule, harassment, criticism, and emotional withdrawal, in intimate relationships.
Who is the target population?
Females in dating or marital relationships.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies psychological abuse patterns to guide clinical interventions and advocacy programs.
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