Sexual Coercion Scale (ECS) in dating relationships: Psychometric properties in Spanish youth population

Sexual violence in youths’ dating relationships does not fit the explanatory models existing in adults, hence the need to have instruments to analyze this particular type of behavior. In this study the psychometric properties of the Sexual Coercion Scale (ECS), generated by the authors, were analyzed in a sample of 3665 youngsters between 16 and 24 years old. The sample was divided into two different subsamples, with an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for each one. Only one factor was found. The reliability of the scale was adequate, as well as the convergent validity, with positive and significant correlations with the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale (M-CTS; Neidig, 1986) that measures physical and verbal violence. Significant differences were also found in the ECS according to age and sex, as was expected. ECS is an appropriate instrument to evaluate sexual coercion in dating relationships in Spain.