Psychometric Properties of the Dating Violence Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dating Violence Questionnaire. In this descriptive-analytical study, 240 students (171 females and 69 males) of Tabriz University were selected by convenience sampling method and completed Dating Violence Questionnaire (DVQ+), Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) and Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Data were analyzed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Pearson's correlation coefficient and investigating construct validity and criterion validity of questionnaire in Spss-24 and Amos-24 software. The results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 8-factor model of this questionnaire (with slight changes). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the whole questionnaire was 0.94, and for the factors ranged from 0.86 (Humiliation in public) to 0.93 (Humiliation). Also, the criterion validity of the questionnaire was evaluated favorably by correlating it with the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (r=0.20; p<0.01) and Relationship Assessment Scale (r=-0.46; p<0.01), and its construct validity was confirmed by using convergent and divergent validity. According to the obtained results, it can be said that the DVQ+ has desirable psychometric properties and good adaptation in Iranian society. Therefore, this questionnaire can be used for research and clinical purposes in the dating and sexual violence research area.