Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales among Maternal Caregivers from Families at Risk of Child Maltreatment

Abstract Purpose Although the revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-2) has been widely used to examine intimate partner violence, the factor structure of the CTS-2 items has not been well established among families at risk for child maltreatment, a population with a high prevalence of IPV. The current study examines the factor structure of CTS-2 among maternal caregivers of children who were identified as being at-risk for child maltreatment and tests its structural invariance between individuals with and without histories of youth victimization. Methods The current study utilized data from 466 maternal caregivers from Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses with CTS-2 victimization items and measurement invariance testing among caregivers with and without histories of childhood victimization. Results A three-factor solution corresponding to (1) Negotiation, (2) General Aggression (combining Psychological Aggression and Physical Assault), and (3) Sexual Coercion was found. Maternal caregivers with and without childhood victimization histories differed in how they conceptualized specific victimization items from the CTS-2 (e.g., factor loadings differed in items “22. Beat me up,” “19. Slammed me against the wall,” and “33. Accused me of being a lousy lover”). Conclusions Among maternal caregivers at risk for maltreatment and family violence, physical and psychological aggression may be conceptualized as more similar than different constructs. Furthermore, previous experience of victimization may affect their current perceptions of IPV experiences.