Assessing face-to-face dating violence in Ibero-America: Systematic review and meta-analysis of measurement instruments

Abstract

Introduction: Dating violence is a significant social concern, requiring reliable measurement tools for accurate assessment. This study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and synthesise existing instruments used to measure face-to-face dating violence employed in Ibero-America. Method: The study followed PRISMA guidelines, conducting a comprehensive search from December 2022 to April 2023 across SCOPUS, PubMed, PsychINFO, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria covered adolescents and young adults, singles, and instruments validating dating violence measurements in Ibero-America, excluding precursors and related factors. Results: The search yielded 247 articles, after depuration, 21 studies were included, revealing 16 dating violence assessment instruments. Spain was the primary source; predominantly non-clinical samples were used (81% students). Many scales demonstrated adequate reliability (a > 0.7) and exhibited strong construct validity supported by confirmatory factor analyses. The significant variability across studies hinders comparability. Although no scale meets all the evaluated parameters, the DVQ-VP and CARPA stand out in terms of validity and reliability. Conclusions: While many scales are valid and suitable in terms of validity, the need for future research employing current criteria to assess these aspects is emphasised. Additionally, there is a call for further exploration of predictive and concurrent validity, as well as gender invariance.