Primary Outcomes (explanation)
While most IPV interventions measure IPV using a binary outcome, this approach may oversimplify the large variation in types of IPV, a well as their frequency and severity. Given the design of the MMC program as a light-touch, harm-reduction program, we expect a reduction in frequency and severity may be more likely than a cessation of violence in a home. Following one of the examples of a more nuanced measurement discussed in an IPV presented by Lori Heise in 2018 , we will use a unidimensional item response theory (IRT) model to compute a single latent IPV propensity score for all study subjects. We hope this will let us compare any differences in the dimension of IPV across the treatment and control groups.
Using IRT, we will create two IPV outcome measures. The first will be comprehensive of all IPV and controlling behaviors indicators (see the full list below). The second will only include indicators of physical and sexual violence (variables 20-46 in the list below).
The 2pl-IRT model will include the following 46 binary IPV variables:
1. Respondent’s partner tries to keep her from seeing her friends.
2. Respondent’s partner restricts contact with her family of birth.
3. Respondent’s partner insists on knowing where she is at all times.
4. Respondent’s partner ignores her and treats her indifferently.
5. Respondent’s partner gets angry if she speaks with another man.
6. Respondent’s partner is often suspicious that she is unfaithful.
7. Respondent’s partner expects her to ask his permission before seeking healthcare for herself.
8. Respondent was insulted or made to feel bad about herself by her partner once in the last 6 months.
9. Respondent was insulted or made to feel bad about herself by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
10. Respondent was insulted or made to feel bad about herself by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
11. Respondent was belittled or humiliated in front of other people by her partner once in the last 6 months.
12. Respondent was belittled or humiliated in front of other people by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
13. Respondent was belittled or humiliated in front of other people by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
14. Respondent was scared or intimidated on purpose by her partner once in the last 6 months.
15. Respondent was scared or intimidated on purpose by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
16. Respondent was scared or intimidated on purpose by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
17. Respondent was threatened or someone she cared about was threatened to be hurt by her partner once in the last 6 months.
18. Respondent was threatened or someone she cared about was threatened to be hurt by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
19. Respondent was threatened or someone she cared about was threatened to be hurt by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
20. Respondent was slapped or had something that could harm her thrown at her by her partner once in the last 6 months.
21. Respondent was slapped or had something that could harm her thrown at her by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
22. Respondent was slapped or had something that could harm her thrown at her by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
23. Respondent was pushed, shoved, or had her hair pulled by her partner once in the last 6 months.
24. Respondent was pushed, shoved, or had her hair pulled by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
25. Respondent was pushed, shoved, or had her hair pulled by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
26. Respondent was hit with a closed fist or something else that could hurt her by her partner once in the last 6 months.
27. Respondent was hit with a closed fist or something else that could hurt her by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
28. Respondent was hit with a closed fist or something else that could hurt her by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
29. Respondent was kicked, dragged, or beaten up by her partner once in the last 6 months.
30. Respondent was kicked, dragged, or beaten up by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
31. Respondent was kicked, dragged, or beaten up by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
32. Respondent was choked or burnt on purpose by her partner once in the last 6 months.
33. Respondent was choked or burnt on purpose by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
34. Respondent was choked or burnt on purpose by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
35. Respondent was threatened by a knife, gun, or other weapon or had a knife, gun, or other weapon used against her by her partner once in the last 6 months.
36. Respondent was threatened by a knife, gun, or other weapon or had a knife, gun, or other weapon used against her by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
37. Respondent was threatened by a knife, gun, or other weapon or had a knife, gun, or other weapon used against her by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
38. Respondent was physically forced to have sexual intercourse when she did not want to by her partner once in the last 6 months.
39. Respondent was physically forced to have sexual intercourse when she did not want to by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
40. Respondent was physically forced to have sexual intercourse when she did not want to by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
41. Respondent had sexual intercourse when she did not want to because she was afraid of what her partner might do once in the last 6 months.
42. Respondent had sexual intercourse when she did not want to because she was afraid of what her partner might do few times in the last 6 months.
43. Respondent had sexual intercourse when she did not want to because she was afraid of what her partner might do many times in the last 6 months.
44. Respondent was forced to do a somethings sexual that she found degrading or humiliating by her partner once in the last 6 months.
45. Respondent was forced to do a somethings sexual that she found degrading or humiliating by her partner a few times in the last 6 months.
46. Respondent was forced to do a somethings sexual that she found degrading or humiliating by her partner many times in the last 6 months.
We will compute two separate scores: one for emotional violence, and one for other forms of IPV.