Psychometric properties of the Intimate Partner Cyberstalking Scale in Argentinean adults

Abstract

Intimate partner cyberstalking is associated with significant psychosocial, economic, and legal costs for both victims and perpetrators. However, despite these significant negative outcomes, there is a paucity in instruments designed to measure this behavior. Further, many of the measures lack validation and psychometric exploration. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Intimate Partner Cyberstalking Scale (IPCS; Smoker & March, 2017). For this purpose, 595 adults of both genders (32% male; Mage = 30.08) were recruited in Argentina. Participants completed the IPCS-scale, a measure of internet trolling behavior, Dark Triad Personality scale, questions regarding use of new technologies, and demographic items. Both exploratory factor and confirmatory analyses yielded an adequate two-factor structure of the IPCS - scale (a dimension of indirect-direct cyberstalking and a dimension of indirect behaviors) with adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas were .85 and 89, respectively). McDonald’s consistency and composite reliability were satisfactory as well. Concurrent validity was established with measures of trolling and the use of new technologies. Also, it was detected that these variables, along with gender and dark personality, were predictors of cyberstalking. Overall, results of the current project indicate the IPCS-scale is a valid and reliable measure of assessing both direct and indirect intimate partner cyberstalking behavior in Argentina.