A critique of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales-2 (CTS-2)

Jones, Richard Toby; Browne, Kevin; Chou, Shihning

doi:10.1016/j.avb.2017.08.005

A critique of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales-2 (CTS-2)

Jones, Richard Toby; Browne, Kevin; Chou, Shihning

Authors

Richard Toby Jones

Professor KEVIN BROWNE kevin.browne@nottingham.ac.uk
PROFESSOR OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND CHILD HEALTH

Dr SHIHNING CHOU SHIHNING.CHOU@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the Conflict Tactics Scales-2, a measure used worldwide for research and clinical practices. The reliability, validity and normative samples of the CTS-2 are considered and compared with similar psychometric measures. The limitations of the original CTS have been discussed alongside the CTS-2. Reliability is considered to be good to excellent by alpha coefficient and the variance explained by differing samples or methods of administration. Caution is recommended when interpreting the CTS-2 in clinical settings. Researchers point toward a five-factor structure to the CTS-2. The importance of appropriate norms is discussed and considered crucial when using the tool in settings where reporting patterns may differ. Difficulties in comparing CTS-2 scores across samples, cultures and countries are highlighted. Overall, the CTS-2 is a robust psychometric measure, although it holds limited clinical utility if it is used separately from other sources of information gathering (i.e. psychometric measures or interview). In order to enhance clinical utility, it should be administered alongside measures or clinical interviews that can provide added context regarding violence in the family. More research is required in diverse population samples, cultures/countries and languages.

Citation

Jones, R. T., Browne, K., & Chou, S. (2017). A critique of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales-2 (CTS-2). Aggression and Violent Behavior, 37, 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.08.005

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Aug 29, 2017
Online Publication Date	Sep 5, 2017
Publication Date	Nov 1, 2017
Deposit Date	Sep 4, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Mar 6, 2019
Journal	Aggression and Violent Behavior
Print ISSN	1359-1789
Electronic ISSN	1873-6335
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	37
Pages	83-90
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.08.005
Public URL	https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/880846
Publisher URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359178917301982
Contract Date	Sep 4, 2017