Abuse Disability Questionnaire: Internal Consistency and Validity Considerations in Two Samples

• NCJ Number: 189081
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 37-45
• Author(s): John R. McNamara; Scott A. Fields
• Editor(s): Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Michel Hersen
• Date Published: March 2001
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Measurement/Evaluation Device
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated and reported the reliability and validity of the Abuse Disability Questionnaire (ADQ) within two similar domestic violence shelter samples.

Abstract

The Abuse Disability Questionnaire (ADQ) is used to measure the extent to which a disabling psychological prospective has been acquired. The ADQ is a self-report, three-part questionnaire that deals with various facets of abuse and the extent of perceived life impairment. In this study, comparative psychometric information on the ADQ, given to women who were receiving services for domestic violence shelters was presented. Participants were adult women recruited from two domestic violence shelters in Ohio. The total score of the ADQ and its subscale scores for Relationship Disability, Life Restriction, Psychological Dysfunction, and Health Status Issues demonstrated adequate internal consistency across both shelter samples. Also, construct validation was evidenced by the relationship found between self-esteem and impairment, as well as prior abuse impairment. In order to determine if the results from this study are representative of domestic violence shelters in general, it was suggested a sampling from shelters located in more diverse areas of the United States be conducted. Tables and references