NDLI: Beyond torture checklists: an exploratory study of the reliability and construct validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES)

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Pérez-Sales, Pau González-Rubio, Raquel Mellor-Marsá, Blanca Martínez-Alés, Gonzalo
Abstract	Background Torture methods have traditionally been quantified using checklists. However, checklists fail to capture accurately both the almost infinite range of available methods of torture and the victims’ subjective experience. The Torturing Environment Scale (TES) was designed as a multidimensional alternative that groups torture methods according to the specific human function under attack. This study aims to do an exploratory assessment of the internal consistency reliability and discriminatory validity of the TES as part of a construct validity assessment in a sample of Basque torture survivors. Methods We applied the TES to a sample of 201 torture survivors from the Istanbul Protocol Project in the Basque Country Study (IPP-BC) to profile torturing environments in detention. To estimate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, categorical omega values were obtained for each subscale of the TES. To assess its discriminatory validity, the “known groups” method was used comparing mean scorings by gender, state security forces involved in the detention, and decade (the 1980s to the present) when the events took place. Results Men reported more physical pain, while women reported more attacks on self-identity and sexual integrity. The TES also showed significant differences as regards the security forces involved in the detention: Civil Guard (a militarised police) used more manipulation of the environment, threats, fear, pain and extreme pain, as compared to national and regional corps. Finally, although patterns of torture remained mostly unchanged across decades, more recent detentions included more emphasis on psychological attacks: context manipulation, humiliation linked to sexual identity, and attacks to meaning and identity. For all subscales of the TES, categorical omega values ranged from 0.44 to 0.72. Conclusion The TES may be a useful tool in profiling torturing environments. Its sensitivity to key contextual variables supports the discriminatory validity of the scale. While some of the subscales showed an acceptable degree of internal consistency, others require further analysis to improve reliability. The scale provides unique insights into the profile of contemporary torture. It will allow for future quantitative research on the relationship between different torturing environments and the medical and psychological consequences thereof.
Related Links	https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12889-021-10384-w.pdf
Ending Page	10
Page Count	10
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14712458
DOI	10.1186/s12889-021-10384-w
Journal	BMC Public Health
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	21
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2021-02-17
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Public Health Medicine Epidemiology Biostatistics Vaccine Environmental Health Torturing environment scale Torture Psychological Torture Ill-treatment Istanbul protocol Torture methods Gender Spain Medicine/Public Health
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Journal Impact Factor	3.5/2023
5-Year Journal Impact Factor	3.9/2023

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

The construct validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Spreitzer's psychological empowerment scale

Validation of the extended e-health literacy scale: structural validity, construct validity and measurement invariance

Workplace gender composition and psychological distress: the importance of the psychosocial work environment

Validity and reliability of the multidimensional health locus of control scale for college students

Development and testing of the reliability and validity of the adolescent haze related knowledge awareness assessment scale (AHRKAAS)

Chinese version of the Physical Resilience Scale (PRS): reliability and validity test based on Rasch analysis

Urbanisation, urbanicity, and health: a systematic review of the reliability and validity of urbanicity scales

Assessing the construct validity and reliability of the parental perception on antibiotics (PAPA) scales

Motives for adult participation in physical activity: type of activity, age, and gender

Beyond torture checklists: an exploratory study of the reliability and construct validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES)

Similar Documents

The construct validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Spreitzer's psychological empowerment scale

Validation of the extended e-health literacy scale: structural validity, construct validity and measurement invariance

Workplace gender composition and psychological distress: the importance of the psychosocial work environment

Validity and reliability of the multidimensional health locus of control scale for college students

Development and testing of the reliability and validity of the adolescent haze related knowledge awareness assessment scale (AHRKAAS)

Chinese version of the Physical Resilience Scale (PRS): reliability and validity test based on Rasch analysis

Urbanisation, urbanicity, and health: a systematic review of the reliability and validity of urbanicity scales

Assessing the construct validity and reliability of the parental perception on antibiotics (PAPA) scales

Motives for adult participation in physical activity: type of activity, age, and gender

Beyond torture checklists: an exploratory study of the reliability and construct validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES)