Adaptation of the Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale to Portuguese and Tests of Its Convergent, Divergent, and Predictive Validities

Violence Against Women. 2017 Dec;23(14):1790-1810. doi: 10.1177/1077801216666724. Epub 2016 Oct 6.

Abstract

The Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale was adapted to Portuguese (PDVMAS). The PDVMAS displayed reasonable fit indices (Study 1); was positively correlated with right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, belief in a just world (Study 2), and ambivalent sexism (Study 3); and negatively correlated with empathetic tendencies (Study 4). PDVMAS significantly predicted victim blame and aggressor exoneration in scenarios of coercion (Study 5) and physical assault (Study 6). Victims and non-victims of domestic violence equally endorsed domestic violence myths. Globally, the PDVMAS is a reliable instrument, and domestic violence myths are pervasive and alter the perception of intimate partner violence.

Keywords: Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale; aggressor exoneration; ambivalent sexism; intimate partner violence; social dominance orientation; victim blame.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Domestic Violence / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Psychological Distance*
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation
  • Psychometrics / methods
  • Psychometrics / standards*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Social Perception
  • Social Values*
  • Translating