Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined by coercive behaviour within a romantic relationship through actions by current or former spouses or dating partners [1]. IPV is considered a grave human rights violation and a significant global social and public health concern affecting lives of millions of women worldwide [2]. It is estimated that, not only the prevalence rates of women experiencing physical, or sexual violence, or both, by an intimate partner at some point in their life ranges between 30 and 60%, but also that women were more at risk of violence by an intimate partner than from any other perpetrator [3]. According to the WHO it is more prevalent in women, where nearly 1 in 4 women (23.2%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 7 men (13.9%) [4]. IPV encompasses physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression [5]. It can have major short-term and long-term both physical and mental health effects, such as migraines, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and attempts, anxiety and depression [6, 7]. Furthermore, a cross-sectional study conducted in Lebanon found that being divorced, illiterate, unemployed and having experienced child abuse were all factors associated with more violence against women [8]. Studies have shown that being exposed to IPV has been associated with a significant risk of suicidal ideations and self-harm [9]. Additionally, researchers have found that individuals who were exposed to childhood abuse or who have witnessed inter-parental violence had six times increased odds of experiencing IPV as adults [10]. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss and measure IPV due to its profound repercussions on individuals, families, and societies [11]. It can result in both physical and psychological trauma, perpetuate cycles of violence, impede social progress, and cause economic burden through leading to healthcare costs, loss of productivity, legal justice expenses, and the need for social services [12].
Scales to Measure Abuse
Many scales have been developed to assess IPV, including the Abuse Behavior Inventory (ABI) [13], the Past Feelings and Acts of Violence Scale (PFAV) [14], the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory (PMWI) [15], the Intimate Violence and Traumatic Affect Scale (VITA Scale) [16], the IPV-GBM Scale for measuring IPV among gay and bisexual men [17], and the Scale of Psychological Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence [18].
Yet, when focusing on partner abuse, the Composite Abuse Scale (CAS) [19] stands out in the field of IPV measurement due to several key features: Being designed to capture a wide range of abuse experiences including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, its rigorous validation, and its ability to measure both the frequency and severity of abuse (Likert scale rating system); all ensure a deeper understanding and assessment of abuse and its impact on the victim. Originally developed by Hegarty, Bush, and Sheehan in 2005, the CAS aims to comprehensively measure the experience of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, and other forms of abuse [19]. The long version of the scale comprises 30 items, including sub-items, which are rated on a Likert scale to evaluate the frequency and severity of abuse experiences [19].
The CAS has since been used in clinical populations. Not only in Australia [20–22], but also in Russia [23], Netherlands [24, 25], Canada [26–29], and UK [30]. Previous studies have also validated and translated the CAS into multiple languages including Russian [23], Brazilian Portuguese [31], Dutch, Turkish, and Arabic language [32]. One study by Alhabib and colleagues (2010) validated the CAS in Arabic among a sample of Saudi women, demonstrating its applicability and reliability in an Arabic-speaking population [33].
Unlike the original 30-item Composite Abuse Scale, the Composite Abuse Scale (Revised) - Short Form (CASR-SF) consists of 15 items, including 12 from the original scale and 3 from expert consultation and literature [34]. This shorter version retains the comprehensive coverage of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse while offering improvements in brevity, reduced respondent burden, and clearer instructions. The original CASR-SF [34] is a valid and reliable measure of IPV experiences that retains the strengths of, but enhances, the existing CAS in key domains, while also providing a shorter, easier-to-answer scale for use in a range of contexts. While further testing is required in diverse settings, this brief scale represents a significant evolution in the measurement of IPV experiences that may adequately capture the complexity of IPV experiences among women than existing short surveys.
Compared to the long form, the CASR-SF [34] has only been translated to and validated in the Spanish population, where it successfully demonstrated the cross-cultural applicability and reliability of the CASR-SF in this population [35]. Yet, to date, no efforts have been made to validate the CASR-SF in Arabic. Previous studies have demonstrated the factor structure and validity of the CASR-SF. The original validation of the CASR-SF confirmed its three-factor structure, good internal consistency, and convergent validity [19]. The Spanish version of the CASR-SF also supported these findings, demonstrating robust psychometric properties and sex invariance, highlighting its applicability across different cultures and genders [35].
The Present Study
Validating the CASR-SF in Lebanon, where the long form is already reliable and valid [34], has key benefits: it reduces respondent burden, maintains cultural sensitivity, and simplifies administration and analysis. This validation is crucial in the Arab world due to sociocultural and economic factors contributing to high IPV prevalence [36]. Traditional gender norms and patriarchal structures [37] perpetuate male dominance, subjugate women's rights, and discourage reporting of abuse. Cultural norms, misinterpretation of religious rules [38], and honor-related violence [39] further complicate the issue, with violence often dismissed to avoid family shame [40]. Lebanon's recent economic challenges and political instability have increased IPV rates [41, 42]. Research on abuse impacts from Western contexts may not fully apply to Lebanon. Validating the CASR-SF in Arabic will aid global efforts in addressing IPV and allow comparative studies to inform interventions and policies [43]. This study aims to translate the CASR-SF into Arabic and assess its psychometric properties, including internal reliability, sex invariance, composite reliability, and correlations with measures of suicidal ideation and child abuse. We hypothesize that the Arabic CASR-SF will confirm a three-factor structure, exhibit strong internal consistency, and demonstrate satisfactory convergent and concurrent validity and cross sex-invariance.