A multidimensional definition of partner abuse: Development and preliminary validation of the Composite Abuse Scale

The Composite Abuse Scale's development and initial validation survey is presented in this article. The items of the Composite Abuse Scale were derived from four other scales: Conflict Tactics Scale, Measure of Wife Abuse, Inventory of Spouse Abuse, and Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory. A survey including the items was sent out to all nurses at a large inner city teaching hospital. Factor analysis of responses to the survey revealed Severe Combined Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, and Harassment. There were 427 participants.