Citation

McClennen JC, Summers AB, Daley JG. Res. Soc. Work Pract. 2002; 12(2): 277-292.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/104973150201200205

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: The Lesbian Partner Abuse Scale-Revised (LE-PAS-R) was designed and construct validated to assess power imbalance between lesbian couples resulting in partner abuse. Method: The 135-item Lesbian Partner Abuse Scale (LE-PAS) was content validated. Implementing a nationwide survey using convenience sampling, an assessment packet containing the LE-PAS, two established scales (the Index of Self-Esteem and the General Contentment Scale), and demographic information was completed by 45 abused and 33 nonabused lesbians. Results: A series of factor analyses resulted in six factors (communication and social skills, substance abuse, intergenerational transmission of violence, fakes illness, internalized homophobia, and status differentials) accounting for 77.3% of all item variance. The 25-item LE-PAS-R shows evidence of strong reliability (r = .94), credible concurrent validity (p < .01), and the ability to differentiate between abused and nonabused lesbians (p < .01). Conclusions: Further validation of the LE-PAS-R will provide evidence of its ability to assist clinicians in identifying lesbian relationships in which power imbalance may result in partner abuse.