The Experience of the Coercive Control Scale: Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties

Abstract

Background: Coercive control is an important topic related to couples’ relationships, and, therefore, appropriate measures are needed to assess this factor. Coercive control has three facets: (1) the abuser’s intentionality or goal orientation vs. motivation, (2) negative perceptions of controlling behaviors by the victim, and (3) the abuser’s ability to gain control through credible threats. Objectives: This study aimed to devise a valid and reliable measure of coercive control in Iran. Methods: A coercive control scale based on the Canadian Violence Against Women Survey and Psychological Maltreatment of Women Survey was translated and back-translated. Based on the experts’ opinions, some items were added to the questionnaire, while others were changed to fully capture the nature of coercive control in Iran. The scale was named the Experiences of Coercive Control (ECC) Scale. The study period was between May and August 2021. Results: The test-retest reliability of the ECC Scale was high, and the convergent validity of this scale with the Wife Abuse Questionnaire was confirmed. The analysis of the factor structure of the ECC Scale based on the principal component analysis method with a varimax rotation yielded a two-factor solution, including control via aggression and spying behaviors. Conclusions: The ECC Scale is a valid and reliable measure that could be used in emergency and non-emergency situations. The need to include more culture-appropriate items should be discussed in future research.