The Turkish validity and reliability study of Intimate Partner Violence Strategies Index (IPVSI)

There are a variety of explanations regarding coping with violence against women which has negative effects on victims as well as perpetrators and related environment. These explanations have evolved from descriptions of women as passive victims in response to violence to descriptions of women as active individuals attempting to survive. The Intimate Partner Violence Strategies Index (IPVSI) is an index that follows these contemporary descriptions. The Turkish Adaptation of the IPVSI was carried out in this study. The IPVSI, The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS), the Ways of Coping Inventory (WOC) and the Two-dimensional Social Desirability Scale (SDS) were used in the study that analyzed data from 96 participants. Findings revealed that ordering of IPVSI dimensions as for frequency of use was placating, resistance, informal networks, legal, formal networks, and safety planning whereas as for helpfulness ratings were formal networks, legal, informal networks, safety planning, placating, and resistance. The IPVSI dimensions were related to the CTS subscales but not to any subscales of the WOC and most of the subscales of the SDS. Findings regarding the frequency of use and the CTS dimensions were parallel with the literature. It was observed that the Turkish women find public realm strategies more helpful compared to private realm strategies. Inquiry of the relationship of the IPVSI dimensions with other coping scales in future studies will present valuable information. We hope the index adds support to academic and field studies and interventions.