The Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI)

Abstract

The Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI) is a 24-item self-report measure designed specifically for adolescents to quantify the frequency of various conflict behaviors within their dating relationships. The inventory is crucial for identifying patterns of aggression and control, serving as a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners interested in the etiology and prevention of relationship violence. The scale includes items related to categories such as verbal aggression, physical aggression, and controlling behaviors, and has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including good internal consistency and stability over time.

Keywords

Adolescent dating relationships, dating violence, conflict behaviors, physical aggression, verbal aggression, self-report measure, prevention, psychological assessment, controlling behaviors.

Authors

Wolfe, D. A., Scott, K., Reitzel-Jaffe, D., Wekerle, C., Grasley, C., Straatman, A.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the CADRI is to accurately and systematically assess the frequency and types of conflict behaviors experienced or perpetrated by adolescents in their romantic relationships over a specified period (typically the past year). By focusing on specific behavioral acts rather than general feelings, the CADRI provides a detailed profile of relationship dynamics.

Beyond simple assessment, the scale is utilized extensively in research to identify potential risk factors associated with the escalation of conflict into serious relationship violence. Findings derived from the CADRI are vital for developing and evaluating targeted prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of aggression and violence among young dating couples.

Construct

The CADRI measures the construct of conflict behaviors and relationship aggression within the context of adolescent dating. This construct is multidimensional, encompassing behaviors that range from psychological manipulation and verbal abuse to overt physical assault. The scale is structured to capture behaviors related to:

• Verbal Aggression: Actions intended to verbally or emotionally harm the partner (e.g., insults, mean tone of voice).
• Physical Aggression: Direct physical acts of violence (e.g., hitting, slapping, pushing).
• Controlling Behaviors/Coercion: Attempts to exert dominance, isolate the partner, or force unwanted sexual contact (e.g., tracking the partner, sexual coercion).

The scale assumes that the frequency of these conflict behaviors is indicative of relationship health and potential for future dating violence perpetration or victimization.

Validity

The original validation studies by Wolfe et al. (2001) established strong evidence for the validity of the CADRI. The scale demonstrates good construct validity by differentiating between distinct types of conflict behaviors (verbal, physical, controlling) which align with established theoretical models of relationship aggression. Furthermore, the CADRI exhibits criterion validity, as it has been found to be sensitive to changes in conflict behavior over time, making it suitable for pre-post intervention studies. Its ability to identify potential risk factors for serious relationship violence further supports its utility as a valid predictive measure.

Reliability

The CADRI has been shown to possess high levels of reliability. The initial validation work reported good internal consistency, indicating that the 24 items reliably measure the same underlying construct of conflict behavior. Additionally, studies have confirmed strong test-retest reliability, suggesting that the scores obtained from the instrument are stable and consistent when administered repeatedly to the same individuals over short intervals, assuming no significant relationship intervention or change has occurred.

Factor Analysis

Although not explicitly detailed in the brief source content, the structure of the 24 items—which clearly delineate verbal, physical, and controlling behaviors—implies that the scale’s development included rigorous factor analysis. This statistical technique was used to confirm that the items cluster into meaningful, distinct subscales corresponding to the types of aggression measured. Typically, factor analysis confirms the presence of these underlying dimensions, allowing researchers to calculate subscale scores for physical aggression, verbal/emotional aggression, and coercive control, in addition to a total conflict score.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological inventory

Format: 24 statements rated on a Likert-type scale regarding frequency of behavior during conflict in the past year.

Language Available: English (Primary validation language)

Population Group: Adolescents and Young Adults

Age Group: Typically mid-to-late adolescence (high school and early college age).

Population Details: Individuals currently involved in or recently involved in a dating or romantic relationship.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the frequency of each conflict behavior item on a 5-point Likert-type scale, usually ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). Note that some applications, such as the McKenzie Lewis thesis, have utilized a 4-point scale (Never/Seldom/Sometimes/Often).

Keywords

Dating relationships, adolescent psychology, conflict assessment, aggression scale, psychological measure, violence prevention, self-report inventory, reliability, validity.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not publicly provided for all authors.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not publicly provided.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence for the primary validation study (Wolfe et al., 2001) would typically be directed to the Department of Psychology at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, or related institutions at the time of publication.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The CADRI was developed and validated in 2001. Permissions for use should be sought from the primary authors (Wolfe, D. A. et al.). Usage fees are generally determined by the authors or their affiliated institutions, though academic instruments are often made available for non-commercial research purposes upon request.

The original PDF cited by McKenzie Lewis (2010), which contains the instrument on page 31, can be downloaded here: http://sdsu-dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.10/310/Lewis_McKenzie.pdf?sequence=1

Reference’s

• Wolfe, D. A., Scott, K., Reitzel-Jaffe, D., Wekerle, C., Grasley, C., & Straatman, A. (2001). Development and validation of the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationship Inventory. Psychological Assessment, 13(2), 277–293.
• Lewis, McKenzie M. (2010). PARENTAL CONFLICT, ANGER CONTROL, AND DATING VIOLENCE PERPETRATION OUTCOMES. Master of Arts Thesis in Psychology. San Diego State University.

Items of the The Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

DURING A CONFLICT OR ARGUMENT IN THE PAST YEAR:

1. I touched my dating partner sexually when he/she didn’t want me to.
2. I tried to turn his/her friends against him/her.
3. I did something to make my dating partner jealous
4. I destroyed or threatened to destroy something my dating partner liked.

DURING A CONFLICT OR ARGUMENT IN THE PAST YEAR:

5. I brought up something bad that he/she had done in the past.
6. I threw something at my dating partner.
7. I said things just to make my dating partner angry.
8. I spoke to my dating partner in a mean tone of voice

DURING A CONFLICT OR ARGUMENT IN THE PAST YEAR

9. I threatened my dating partner in an attempt to have sex with him/her.
10. I insulted my dating partner
11. I kissed my dating partner when he/she didn’t want me to.
12. I said things to my dating partner’s friends about him/her to turn them against my dating partner.

DURING A CONFLICT OR ARGUMENT IN THE PAST YEAR

13. I made fun of my dating partner in front of others.
14. I kept track of where my dating partner was and who he/she was with.
15. I blamed my dating partner for the problem.
16. I kicked‚ hit‚ or punched my dating partner.

DURING A CONFLICT OR ARGUMENT IN THE PAST YEAR

17. I accused my dating partner of flirting with another person.
18. I tried to frighten my dating partner
19. I slapped my dating partner or pulled his/her hair.
20. I threatened to hurt my dating partner.

DURING A CONFLICT OR ARGUMENT IN THE PAST YEAR

21. I threatened to break up with my dating partner.
22. I threatened to hit my dating partner or throw something at him/her.
23. I pushed‚ shoved‚ or shook my dating partner.
24. I spread rumors about my dating partner.