Psychology RootsVictimization in Dating Relationships Scale
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About Victimization in Dating Relationships Scale
Scale Name
Victimization in Dating Relationships Scale
Author Details
Vangie A. Foshee, G. Fletcher Linder, Karl E. Bauman, and others
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Victimization in Dating Relationships Scale, developed by Vangie A. Foshee, G. Fletcher Linder, Karl E. Bauman, and colleagues in 1996, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure self-reported victimization of physical violence within dating relationships among students in grades 8-9 (ages 13-15). Published in Journal of Interpersonal Violence (Foshee et al., 1996), the scale assesses the prevalence and frequency of physical dating violence victimization, such as being hit, slapped, or kicked by a romantic partner, aligning with research on adolescent relationship aggression and public health approaches to violence prevention. It was developed as part of a longitudinal study evaluating the Safe Dates program, a school-based intervention to reduce dating violence.
The scale comprises 18 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = “never” to 3 = “10 or more times”), assessing the frequency of specific physically violent acts experienced in dating relationships (e.g., “How many times has a dating partner slapped or kicked you?”). Scores are summed (range: 0-54), with higher scores indicating greater victimization. Validated in rural school samples, primarily with White and African-American students, it is used to identify victims, assess intervention outcomes, and study risk factors for dating violence.
Psychologists, public health researchers, and educators use the scale to screen for dating violence victimization, evaluate prevention programs, and inform policy. Its high internal consistency and focus on adolescence are strengths, though its English-only availability and specific age range may limit broader application.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from primary sources, such as Foshee et al. (1996) in Journal of Interpersonal Violence (Vol. 11, pp. 531-543) or Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths (p. 122, available at http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf), ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses experiences in dating relationships to promote safety, emphasizing confidentiality and using trauma-sensitive, age-appropriate language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to rate the frequency of experiencing each violent act by a dating partner, using the 4-point scale. Clarify that responses are anonymous.
- Approximate time for completion is 5-7 minutes, depending on reading ability.
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private, supportive environment. Provide access to counseling resources due to sensitive content.
Reliability and Validity
The Victimization in Dating Relationships Scale demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Foshee et al. (1996). Internal consistency is excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90, indicating high item cohesion, suitable for adolescent samples. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on similar violence measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as psychological abuse victimization (r ≈ 0.50-0.70) and exposure to other forms of violence. Discriminant validity is inferred from weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic performance (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to detect changes in victimization rates post-intervention (e.g., Safe Dates program) and predict emotional distress in victims. Factor analyses confirm a unidimensional structure, supporting construct validity. The high reliability makes it a robust tool, though it should be paired with perpetrator-focused or multi-informant measures for comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
18-Items
Reference
Foshee, V. A., Linder, G. F., Bauman, K. E., Langwick, S. A., Arriaga, X. B., Heath, J. L., … & Bangdiwala, S. (1996). The Safe Dates Project: Theoretical basis, evaluation design, and selected baseline findings. American journal of preventive medicine, 12(5), 39-47.
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Victimization in Dating Relationships Scale measure?
It measures self-reported physical violence victimization in dating relationships.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, researchers, and educators studying students in grades 8-9.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 5-7 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets grades 8-9, primarily White and African-American students.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports prevention programs with high reliability (α = 0.90).
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