Psychology RootsPsychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory
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About Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory
Scale Name
Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory
Author Details
Richard M. Tolman
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory (PMWI), developed by Tolman (1989) and further validated in 1999, is a 58-item self-report scale designed to measure psychological maltreatment of women by their male intimate partners. Published in Violence and Victims, the PMWI includes two subscales: Dominance/Isolation (e.g., controlling behaviors, restricting social contacts) and Emotional/Verbal (e.g., verbal abuse, humiliation). The scale aims to capture the breadth and severity of non-physical abuse in intimate partner violence (IPV), focusing on its emotional and psychological impact on women in intimate relationships.
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 often”). Subscale scores range from 30–150 for Dominance/Isolation (30 items) and 28–140 for Emotional/Verbal (28 items), with higher scores indicating greater psychological maltreatment. The PMWI was validated with samples of 407 women (1989, including battered and non-battered women, mean age ≈ 30–40 years, U.S.-based) and 207 women (1999), showing that 70–85% of battered women reported frequent psychological abuse. The scale correlates with depression (r ≈ 0.35–0.55), anxiety (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), and post-traumatic stress symptoms (r ≈ 0.40–0.60). It is used in clinical psychology, social work, and public health to assess psychological IPV, guide treatment planning, and evaluate intervention outcomes.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Tolman (1989, 1999) or authorized sources (e.g., Violence and Victims), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (females in intimate relationships with male partners) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of psychological maltreatment, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 58-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 15–20 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 PMWI demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Tolman, 1989, 1999). Internal consistency is high: Dominance/Isolation (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95) and Emotional/Verbal (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93), based on samples of 407 (1989) and 207 (1999) 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 Index of Psychological Abuse (r ≈ 0.50–0.70; Sullivan & Bybee, 1999) and mental health measures (e.g., depression, r ≈ 0.35–0.55).
Discriminant validity is evidenced by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20). Criterion validity is shown by the scale’s ability to distinguish abused from non-abused women and predict trauma symptoms. Factorial validity is confirmed by a two-factor structure (Dominance/Isolation, Emotional/Verbal). 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
58-Items
14-Items
Reference
Tolman, R. M. (1989). The development of a measure of psychological maltreatment of women by their male partners. Violence & Victims, 4(3).
Tolman, R. M. (1999). The validation of the psychological maltreatment of women inventory. Violence & Victims, 14(1).
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory measure?
It measures dominance/isolation and emotional/verbal psychological maltreatment by male intimate partners.
Who is the target population?
Females in intimate relationships with male partners.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 15–20 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies psychological abuse patterns to guide clinical interventions and support services.
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