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Women’s Experience with Battering
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About Women’s Experience with Battering
Scale Name
Women’s Experience with Battering
Author Details
Patricia H. Smith, Jo Anne L. Earp, and Robert DeVellis (1995); Patricia H. Smith, Jessie B. Smith, and Jo Anne L. Earp (1999); Patricia H. Smith, Gail E. Thornton, Robert DeVellis, Jo Anne L. Earp, and Ann L. Coker (2002)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Women’s Experience with Battering (WEB) Scale, developed by Smith, Earp, and DeVellis (1995), refined by Smith, Smith, and Earp (1999), and further validated by Smith, Thornton, DeVellis, Earp, and Coker (2002), is a 10-item self-report scale designed to measure the prevalence of battering among females with current or former male intimate partners. Published in Women’s Health: Research on Gender, Behavior, and Policy (1995), Psychology of Women Quarterly (1999), and Violence Against Women (2002), the WEB Scale focuses on the lived experience of battering, capturing feelings of fear, disempowerment, and loss of control due to a partner’s behavior, rather than specific abusive acts. It emphasizes the psychological and emotional impact of intimate partner violence (IPV).
Participants rate their agreement with statements (e.g., feeling unsafe, controlled, or trapped) over the past year or relationship duration on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = “Strongly disagree” to 6 = “Strongly agree”). Scores range from 10–60, with scores ≥20 indicating battering. The WEB was validated with samples including 1,152 women (1995, mean age ≈ 30–40 years, U.S.-based), 208 women (1999), and 1,509 women (2002, population-based), showing that 10–20% met battering criteria. The scale correlates with depression (r ≈ 0.35–0.55), post-traumatic stress symptoms (r ≈ 0.40–0.60), and physical IPV measures (r ≈ 0.45–0.65). It is used in clinical psychology, public health, and social work to assess battering prevalence, guide intervention planning, and evaluate support programs.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Smith et al. (1995, 1999, 2002) or authorized sources (e.g., Violence Against Women), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (females with current or former male intimate partners) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of battering, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 10-item scale in a clinical, community, or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate agreement with statements over the past year or relationship duration.
- Estimated completion time is 5–8 minutes.
- Ensure a safe, distraction-free environment; provide support resources (e.g., crisis hotlines, shelter services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The WEB Scale demonstrates excellent psychometric properties (Smith et al., 1995, 1999, 2002). Internal consistency is high, ranging from Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91 to 0.99 across studies, based on samples of 1,152 (1995), 208 (1999), and 1,509 (2002) women. 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.
Convergent 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). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like general life satisfaction (r < 0.20). Criterion validity is shown by its ability to distinguish battered from non-battered women and predict trauma outcomes.
Factorial validity is supported by a unidimensional structure focusing on battering experiences. 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
10-Items
Reference
Smith, P. H., Earp, J. A., & DeVellis, R. (1995). Measuring battering: development of the Women’s Experience with Battering (WEB) Scale. Women’s health (Hillsdale, NJ), 1(4), 273-288.
Smith, P. H., Smith, J. B., & Earp, J. A. L. (1999). Beyond the measurement trap: A reconstructed conceptualization and measurement of woman battering. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 23(1), 177-193.
Smith, P. H., Thornton, G. E., DeVellis, R., Earp, J., & Coker, A. L. (2002). A population-based study of the prevalence and distinctiveness of battering, physical assault, and sexual assault in intimate relationships. Violence against women, 8(10), 1208-1232.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Women’s Experience with Battering Scale measure?
It measures the prevalence of battering, focusing on feelings of fear, disempowerment, and control by male intimate partners.
Who is the target population?
Females with current or former male intimate partners.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 5–8 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies battering prevalence to guide clinical interventions and support services.
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