Abstract
There is consensus in the partner abuse prevention education literature that a skills-focus is needed. However, appropriate
instruments for evaluating the effectiveness of skills-focused programs do not exist. Against this background, and based on
the dyadic slippery slope model of partner abuse, the Tendency to Resist or End Abusive Dynamics (TREAD) scale was developed.
TREAD is defined as one’s tendency to respond assertively or protectively in situations involving warning-sign (potentially
hurtful or controlling) behaviors by a partner. The scale’s development drew on the input of three Australian samples: mixed-gender
adolescent focus groups, 426 young female respondents to an online survey, and 152 adolescent girls participating in a school-based
program trial. When tested with the 152 adolescent girls, the TREAD scale had acceptable internal consistency and high inter-rater
reliability. Principal components analysis identified three interrelated TREAD subscales (i.e., Conflict-Retaliation TREAD,
Denigration TREAD, and Dominance-Possessiveness TREAD) all of which were negatively associated with frequency of exposure
to warning-sign behaviors. This paper charts the preliminary development of the TREAD scale, presenting evidence supporting
its validity as a change-target for partner abuse prevention education with adolescent girls and, potentially, boys.
instruments for evaluating the effectiveness of skills-focused programs do not exist. Against this background, and based on
the dyadic slippery slope model of partner abuse, the Tendency to Resist or End Abusive Dynamics (TREAD) scale was developed.
TREAD is defined as one’s tendency to respond assertively or protectively in situations involving warning-sign (potentially
hurtful or controlling) behaviors by a partner. The scale’s development drew on the input of three Australian samples: mixed-gender
adolescent focus groups, 426 young female respondents to an online survey, and 152 adolescent girls participating in a school-based
program trial. When tested with the 152 adolescent girls, the TREAD scale had acceptable internal consistency and high inter-rater
reliability. Principal components analysis identified three interrelated TREAD subscales (i.e., Conflict-Retaliation TREAD,
Denigration TREAD, and Dominance-Possessiveness TREAD) all of which were negatively associated with frequency of exposure
to warning-sign behaviors. This paper charts the preliminary development of the TREAD scale, presenting evidence supporting
its validity as a change-target for partner abuse prevention education with adolescent girls and, potentially, boys.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9424-6
- Authors
- Kylie A. Murphy, Discipline of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, 3083 Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- David I. Smith, Discipline of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, 3083 Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Sophia Xenos, Discipline of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, 3083 Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482