Psychometric Development and Validation of Coercive Control Scale for Married Individuals in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Coercive control represents a pervasive yet under-recognized form of domestic abuse, particularly within marital relationships in Pakistan. Despite its high occurrence, limited empirical attention has been given to its typology, frequency, and psychological consequences. The present study aimed to conceptualize and develop a psychometrically robust scale for assessing coercive control among married individuals in Pakistan.

Method: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design employing convenience sampling was utilized. The study comprised two phases. Phase I involved qualitative exploration through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with married individuals (N = 57; age range = 34–50 years) and semi-structured interviews with marital counselors and psychologists (N = 3). Thematic analysis guided the generation of an initial item pool, from which 42 items were retained. A preliminary pilot test was conducted with married individuals (N = 60; age range = 23–70 years; M = 38.70, SD = 10.52) to refine the scale. Phase II consisted of determining the factor structure and psychometric properties of the scale through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using a larger sample (N = 500; men = 251, women = 249; age range = 20–70 years; M = 37.43, SD = 9.99).

Results: The EFA results indicated a clear six-factor structure of coercive control. All subscales demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, as evidenced by acceptable Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, establishing internal reliability. Construct validity was supported through significant inter-subscale correlations and strong correlations of each subscale with the total score, confirming convergent and internal construct validity. Content validity was ensured during item development through expert review and qualitative thematic analysis. Overall, the findings indicate that the scale possesses sound reliability and validity for measuring coercive control among married individuals.

Conclusions: The study resulted in the development of an indigenous, psychometrically sound instrument for assessing coercive control among married individuals in Pakistan. Findings support the reliability and validity of the scale and highlight its potential utility for research, clinical assessment, and intervention planning in the context of marital abuse.