A Systematic Review on Psychometric Properties of Instruments Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian Countries

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2026 May 23:15248380261443482. doi: 10.1177/15248380261443482. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review evaluates the psychometric properties of instruments used to assess intimate partner violence or domestic violence (IPV/DV) in South Asia. It addresses the need for culturally sensitive tools in IPV/DV research. The review identifies and critically examines IPV/DV instruments used in South Asian countries, assessing their cross-cultural validation and psychometric strength. Method: Databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library, were searched between June 1 and June 30, 2024. Out of 1,347 studies screened, 35 studies were assessed for full-text eligibility, 26 were excluded as they did not meet criteria, resulting in 9 studies being included for analysis. High reliability was found for: The Domestic Violence Questionnaire for Indian women (Cronbach’s α = .94), Intimate Partner Violence Scale used among women with mental illness (Cronbach’s α = .92), The Economic Coercion Scale used in Bangladesh (ordinal α = .88), Domestic Violence Scale for Intimate Partners in Pakistan (Cronbach’s α = .951) and The Indian Family Violence and Control Scale, achieved high internal consistency .951. Additionally, an adaptation of the “Extended-Hurt Insult Threaten and Scream” was validated in Nepal. These tools developed in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal showed high internal consistency and reliability, though cross-cultural validation remains a challenge. The review highlights the need for further adaptation and validation of instruments to assess various types of IPV/DV to ensure their cultural relevance and effectiveness across diverse South Asian populations.

PMID:42175689 | DOI:10.1177/15248380261443482