The Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire–Short Form (BPAQ-SF) is a widely used self-report tool designed to assess aggression. However, evidence on its psychometric properties among Spanish-speaking incarcerated individuals remains limited. This study examines the factor structure and psychometric performance of the Spanish version of the BPAQ-SF among male and female individuals incarcerated in six Spanish prisons. The original four-factor structure (Verbal Aggression, Physical Aggression, Hostility, and Anger) showed acceptable fit according to scaled indices, but poor fit based on robust indices. A three-factor model combining Verbal Aggression and Anger improved internal consistency (α = .80, ω = .82 for the combined factor) and parsimony, although model fit issues persisted. Overall, the findings provide mixed support for the Spanish version of the BPAQ-SF. While the three-factor structure appears more psychometrically defensible, users should be aware of limitations related to item performance and model fit, particularly when relying on robust indices.

Although men consistently endorse rape myths at higher rates than women, valid gender comparisons require evidence that instruments function equivalently across groups. This study evaluates the psychometric properties and gender-based measurement invariance of the “She Asked For It” subscale from the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale - Subtle (IRMA-S) in a Spanish community sample ( N = 1,003; 50.7% men). Analyses included Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Item Response Theory-based approaches, specifically Differential Item Functioning (DIF) and Differential Response Functioning (DRF). At the subscale level, analyses supported metric invariance and satisfactory internal consistency. However, five of six items exhibited significant DIF, predominantly uniform in nature. DRF analyses indicated that the cumulative impact of item-level DIF on expected total scores was modest, particularly for respondents with moderate levels of rape myth acceptance. These findings highlight the value of multi-method approaches to measurement invariance and underscore the need for cautious interpretation of raw gender differences in rape myth acceptance.

Although violence against women is broadly condemned, this rejection tends to diminish in prostitution-related contexts, where monetary exchange may be perceived as legitimising behaviours otherwise deemed unacceptable. This study examines responsibility attributions towards victims and perpetrators in male-perpetrated violence scenarios and analyses the influence of situational and individual-level factors on these attributions. A factorial survey design was implemented with 1,598 participants residing in Spain, who assessed vignettes varying by victim’s gender identity, nationality, presence of payment, type of violence, and reporting. Additionally, individual-level variables were measured, such as rape myth acceptance, comfort with sexuality, pornography consumption, and engagement in the purchase of sexual services. While overall levels of victim-blaming were low, attitudinal factors—particularly rape myth acceptance, ambivalent sexism, and views on prostitution—emerged as significant predictors of responsibility attributions. These findings underscore the role of individual belief systems in shaping responses to violence and offer insights for addressing harmful stereotypes, especially in contexts involving prostitution.

Sexual Objectification Theory posits that exposure to objectifying content, such as pornography, the purchase of sexual services, and adherence to traditional masculinity, can contribute to the acceptance of harmful beliefs about sexual violence. This study examined the relationship between rape myth acceptance and a range of attitudinal and personal factors using a sample of 1,603 internet users in Spain (51.6% women, M = 45.7 years old). The outcome variable was rape myth acceptance (alpha = .79), and the correlates included various forms of pornography consumption, purchasing sexual services, ambivalent sexism, comfort with sexuality, gender identification, and sociodemographic characteristics. The results indicate that rape myth acceptance was generally low (M = 2.03, range 1-5) and was associated with some sociodemographic characteristics, pornography consumption, ambivalent sexism, and comfort with sexuality. Ambivalent sexism, comfort with sexuality, and gender were the strongest predictors of rape myth acceptance, while pornography consumption had a limited impact on endorsing such beliefs. These findings provide insights into the factors influencing rape myth acceptance and offer guidance for developing policies to combat rape culture.

Understanding the dynamics of sexually violent behavior is essential for developing effective interventions and policies that promote safe and respectful sexual relationships. An important area of research in this context is examining the influence of pornography on sexual behavior, which can inform these efforts. This study explores how sexually permissive attitudes and acceptance of the sexual double standard mediate the relationship between pornography consumption and engagement in violent sexual practices among a sample of the general population in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain (N = 1003; 50.7% men). The sexual double standard refers to the societal belief that men and women should be judged differently for the same sexual behaviors, with men often praised or excused for promiscuity, while women face stigma and shame. The findings reveal gender differences in engagement in sexually violent practices during sexual relationships. Men are more likely to perpetrate these behaviors, while women are more likely to experience them. Importantly, both lifetime and last year pornography consumption are associated with an increased involvement in such practices. This relationship is partially mediated by sexually permissive attitudes, with a stronger mediation effect observed in men. Practitioners can leverage these insights to develop comprehensive strategies that mitigate the risks associated with pornography consumption.

For this Interview the Expert, we turn the spotlight inward to Survey Practice’s longest-serving Associate Editors: Margaret Roller (2017–Present) and Dan Cassino (2020–Present). Over the years, both have played a key role in shaping the journal’s content, working with authors, and ensuring the publication of timely, rigorous, and accessible work in the fields of survey and mixed-methods research and practice. Since joining the editorial board, Margaret and Dan have each completed over 60 reviews, a testament to their commitment to Survey Practice and to the field. In this interview, Dan and Margaret reflect on their time with the journal, share their perspectives on how the field has evolved, and offer practical advice to new contributors and future editors. Their insights highlight what lies at the heart of Survey Practice: bridging rigorous research with real-world applications and sharing practitioner-oriented insights in a timely manner.

Previous research highlights the impact of nonverbal cues and visual layouts on respondents’ interpretations and answers to survey questions (Schwarz et al. in Pub Opin Q 55(4):570–582, 1991; Tourangeau et al. in Pub Opin Q 71(1):91–112, 2007; Toepoel and Dillman in Soc Sci Comput Rev 29(2):193–207, 2011). In this study, we investigate the effect of numerical values on responses to five questions measured using 11-point bipolar scales. These questions asked for evaluations of the general impact of climate change and its effects on different groups. Respondents were randomly assigned to scales ranging from 0 to 10, or from − 5 to + 5. The scales were presented horizontally and had identical verbal endpoints anchored as “extremely negative” and “extremely positive”. The experiment was embedded in a cross-national face-to-face survey conducted in Hungary, Portugal, and Great Britain. Contrary to prior research (Schwarz et al. in Pub Opin Q 55(4):570–582, 1991; O’Muircheartaigh et al. J Off Stat 11:295–308, 1995; Tourangeau et al. in Pub Opin Q 71(1):91–112, 2007), our analyses show an opposite trend: the means tend to be consistently and significantly lower for the − 5/+5 scale. The discrepancy between our findings and previous studies suggests that the interpretations of the 0/10 and − 5/+5 scales could be item specific. The implications of these findings and how they fit with previous work are discussed.

As surveys increasingly transition to self-completion approaches, understanding the impact of design decisions on survey outcomes becomes paramount. This includes assessing the effects of different questionnaire lengths on survey quality and considering what length of questionnaire can reasonably be fielded in a self-completion environment. This paper presents findings from a self-completion experiment conducted in Austria in 2021, which compared the full European Social Survey Round 10 questionnaire (estimated 50-minute completion time) with a shorter version (anticipated 35-minute completion time). The analysis includes a comparison between the longer and shorter versions based on response rates, sample composition, and data quality indicators. Except for response rates, which were significantly but only slightly higher in the shorter condition, results for both versions were generally comparable. Fielding a shorter questionnaire did not produce clear benefits in terms of sample composition or data quality. These results suggest that a questionnaire that would traditionally be regarded as lengthy for self-completion can yield acceptable outcomes.

Public willingness to intervene in episodes of violence against women is shaped by multiple factors. While bystander responses have been widely studied in cases of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, less is known about reactions to violence involving socially marginalised women, such as those in prostitution, who often face additional barriers to support due to stigma and discrimination. The current study analyses factors influencing individuals’ willingness to support the formal reporting of male-to-female episodes of violence, with particular attention to prostitution-related contexts. A factorial survey was administered in 2022 to a sample of 1,598 respondents (51.6

Interpersonal harm is a preventable public health problem. A growing body of literature shows persistently elevated exposure rates to physical and sexual victimization during incarceration. Yet how to prevent interpersonal harm during incarceration has proven far more elusive. A public health approach to prevention offers promise. To develop effective prevention strategies, the public health approach begins with defining and measuring the problem, followed by identifying risk and protective factors for the problem. The dynamic literature on in-prison interpersonal harm includes both parts of the public health approach but theoretical and methodological "noise" in this literature limits its instrumental utility to build effective prevention strategies. Herein, we critically review this evidence base (15 peer-reviewed articles published since 2000 with samples of 1,000+) to isolate the noise and the substance. We, then, minimize the methodological noise by testing for risk factors using self-report data that is representative of an entire U.S. state prison system for men and best data collection practices. Multilevel logistic regression is used to predict four types of interpersonal harm using theoretically grounded individual and prison-level covariates that are supported by the empirical literature. We conclude with recommendations for building an evidence base from which to develop prevention strategies that would create and sustain custodial conditions for people to be safe and healthy while incarcerated.

Objectives: The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ; Buss & Perry, 1992) is a broad measurement tool used with the general public in Spain. There is some debate regarding the interpretation of AQ scores and the usefulness of a shorter version. The aim is to study and compare the psychometric properties of the long and short version of the AQ and check the reliability of the short version in a sample of male prisoners. Material and method: The sample was composed of 236 incarcerated males (mean age of 40.4 years of age) from Ocaña 1 prison center who volunteered to participate in the study. The sample was selected by using the tiered random sampling technique based on the internal inmate number. A random list of possible substitutes was also included in the event of refusal to be interviewed, with replacement being discontinued in the event of two consecutive refusals. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional design. Results: The short version of the scale demonstrated better adjustment than the long version, as indicated by the larger CFI and smaller WRMR values. The number of prison sentences was positively associated with physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. The coefficients were slightly higher for the short version of the scale than the long one. Discussion: The short version of the AQ is a valid instrument for measuring aggressiveness in prison contexts in relation to the long version, and correlates with subscales of aggression more strongly than the long one.

In this edition of “Interview the Expert,” we are joined by Professor Rory Fitzgerald, who has served as the Director of the European Social Survey (ESS) since 2013. The ESS is a world-leading, cross-national research infrastructure that tracks attitudes and values across European countries. Its findings have significantly impacted academia and education and influenced policy-making throughout Europe.

Evidence shows that the presence of third parties during face-to-face in-terviews can compromise data quality, as respondents may be more reluctant to answer sensitive questions and/or provide less accurate answers. This study analyzes the influence of both location and third-party presence on respondents' answers to sensitive questions. Using data from the Violence against Women Macro-Survey conducted in Spain in 2019 (n = 6,563), this study identifies some of the factors associated with the disclosure of intimate partner violence expe-riences within the current relationship. To do so, a series of logistic regression models were estimated, using each category of violence (i.e., physical, emotional and sexual violence, as well as controlling behaviors) as dependent variables. Independent variables include factors related to both the location where the inter-view took place and the people who were present during it. A series of personal characteristics of the respondents (e.g., age, employment status, disability), their partners (e.g., sex, nationality), and some variables referring to the relationship (e.g., relationship length, breadwinner) were also included. Results show that both the location where the interview took place and the presence of children are associated with the disclosure of violence experiences. It was also found that the interviewers more frequently recorded that they suspected situations of un-der-reporting when children were present, and when controlling behaviors and/ or emotional violence had been disclosed. These findings can be used from a practical perspective to inform interviewer training and data collection protocols when sensitive data is collected.

Evidence shows that blaming attitudes towards victims of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) are widespread, creating a social climate that condones this form of violence. The aim of the current study is to analyse the potential impact of multiple factors surrounding the scenario and some personal and attitudinal characteristics of the respondents on the responsibility attributed to victims and perpetrators of IPVAW. To achieve this, a factorial survey design in which each respondent ( N = 1,007; 51.1% women) received a unique vignette describing a hypothetical case of IPVAW was implemented in an online survey conducted in Spain. We found that most respondents (78.9%) indicated that the victim was not at all responsible for her own victimisation, whereas 73.7 per cent indicated that the perpetrator was very responsible for his own behaviour. Our results also show the prominent role that attitudes, as opposed to many characteristics of the abuse, play in evaluations of victim blame (that is, sexist beliefs and acceptability of IPVAW). Our findings reveal some persistence of victim-blaming attitudes despite years of public awareness and education efforts in Spain.

Estudios recientes muestran la elevada prevalencia de encuestados que realizan actividades secundarias mientras responden cuestionarios. Debido a la escasez de estudios y al posible impacto de la multitarea en la calidad de los datos, el presente trabajo analiza el porcentaje de encuestados que realizan multitasking y examina las actividades secundarias más frecuentes en una encuesta online conducida con panelistas en España (N = 1.007). Asimismo, analiza una serie de variables que se asocian con distintas formas de multitarea y examina los efectos de esta en la calidad de los datos. Los hallazgos mostraron una elevada prevalencia de encuestados multitarea (39,7%). Además, se encontró que el perfil de los participantes variaba en función del tipo de actividad realizada. El efecto de la multitarea en la calidad de los datos fue limitado, afectando fundamentalmente al tiempo de cumplimentación de la encuesta.

Public perceptions of the severity of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) play a crucial role in its prevention. This study examines the impact of multiple factors related to the scenario and respondent characteristics on the perceived severity of IPVAW. To achieve this, a factorial survey design was implemented using a non-probability-based sample in Spain ( N = 1007). The results indicate that 90.3% of respondents rated the scenario as severe. The perceived severity was influenced by both the details of the scenario and the characteristics of the respondents. These findings can inform the design of targeted awareness campaigns.

Las evidencias muestran que la presencia de terceras personas mientras se responden encuestas puede comprometer la calidad de los datos, ya que las personas encuestadas podrían ser más reticentes a responder preguntas de naturaleza sensible y/o proporcionar respuestas menos precisas. El principal objetivo de este estudio consiste en analizar la influencia de la ubicación y la presencia de terceros en las respuestas a una encuesta sobre temática sensible, como es la violencia en la pareja. Utilizando datos de la Macroencuesta de Violencia contra la Mujer realizada en el año 2019 en España (n = 6.563), este estudio identifica algunos de los factores relacionados con la revelación de experiencias de victimización sufridas en el ámbito de la pareja actual. Para ello, se estimaron una serie de modelos de regresión logística, utilizando cada categoría de violencia (i.e., violencia física, emocional, sexual y conductas de control) como variables dependientes. Las variables independientes incluyen factores relacionados tanto con el lugar donde se llevó a cabo la encuesta como las personas que se encontraban presentes durante la misma. También se incluyeron una serie de características personales de las mujeres encuestadas (p.ej., edad, situación laboral, discapacidad), sus parejas (p.ej., sexo, nacionalidad) y una serie de variables que hacían referencia a la relación de pareja (p.ej., tiempo de relación, persona que aporta más ingresos al hogar). Los resultados muestran que el lugar donde se realiza la encuesta y la presencia de hijos/as durante la misma se relacionan con la revelación de violencia. También se encontró que las entrevistadoras indicaron en mayor medida sospechar situaciones de ocultación de violencia cuando los/as hijos/as estaban presentes y cuando se habían reportado conductas de control y/o violencia emocional. Los hallazgos pueden emplearse desde una perspectiva aplicada para mejorar la formación que reciben las personas entrevistadoras e informar los protocolos de recogida de datos para encuestas que abordan temáticas sensibles. Evidence shows that the presence of third parties during face-to-face interviews can compromise data quality, as respondents may be more reluctant to answer sensitive questions and/or provide less accurate answers. This study analyzes the influence of both location and third-party presence on respondents’ answers to sensitive questions. Using data from the Violence against Women Macro-Survey conducted in Spain in 2019 (n = 6,563), this study identifies some of the factors associated with the disclosure of intimate partner violence experiences within the current relationship. To do so, a series of logistic regression models were estimated, using each category of violence (i.e., physical, emotional and sexual violence, as well as controlling behaviors) as dependent variables. Independent variables include factors related to both the location where the interview took place and the people who were present during it. A series of personal characteristics of the respondents (e.g., age, employment status, disability), their partners (e.g., sex, nationality), and some variables referring to the relationship (e.g., relationship length, breadwinner) were also included. Results show that both the location where the interview took place and the presence of children are associated with the disclosure of violence experiences. It was also found that the interviewers more frequently recorded that they suspected situations of under-reporting when children were present, and when controlling behaviors and/or emotional violence had been disclosed. These findings can be used from a practical perspective to inform interviewer training and data collection protocols when sensitive data is collected.

Rates of repeated incarceration for violent crimes are a significant problem in most countries due to their human, social and economic impact. The current research aimed to detect targetable life, personal and health related variables linked to reincarceration and conviction for violent crimes in a sample of incarcerated males in Spain (n = 201). For this, self-administered surveys and administrative data were used. Frequency of antisocial behaviours was linked to both general and violent reincarceration. Years working, serious mental, and physical illnesses were associated with number of incarcerations, but not with violent reincarceration specifically. These results reinforce the need for a multi-aetiological approach to crime and reincarceration prevention that focused on lifestyle variables, health promotion and the establishment of regular work resources.

BACKGROUND:Childhood trauma is highly prevalent among incarcerated individuals and contributes to a range of negative outcomes. Assessing traumatic childhood events in prison settings requires valid, reliable, and effective instruments. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS:This study evaluated the performance of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF), originally developed and validated in English, within a sample of incarcerated men and women (n = 1118 and n = 207, respectively) in six Spanish prisons. RESULTS:The results indicated that the CTQ-SF had an acceptable fit in our sample. However, the internal consistency of the Physical Neglect subscale was found to be deficient (α = 0.57), especially among women (α = 0.43). This finding aligns with previous research across different contexts, which may signal weaknesses in the original construction of this subscale. The CTQ-SF demonstrated limited invariance between men and women, with only configural invariance being achieved, constraining the comparisons that can be made across sexes. In the absence of scalar invariance, comparisons of factor means to assess severity may be misleading, and caution is recommended when comparing prevalence estimates for men and women in Spanish prisons. Nonetheless, our findings support the convergent validity of the CTQ-SF, as trauma severity showed moderate correlations with depression, anxiety, stress, and aggression. CONCLUSIONS:These results underscore the importance of evaluating the performance of instruments across various cultural contexts and populations to ensure the validity of study conclusions.

Although gender roles have continued to evolve, stereotypical perceptions about men and women persist. From a traditional perspective, men are viewed as aggressive, competitive, and dominant, whereas women are expected to be pretty, affectionate, and passive. The relevance of gender stereotypes lies in the way such expectations reinforce gender inequality and discrimination. Gender stereotyping is also linked to an increased acceptance of gender-based violence, as such conceptions are based on the premise that women are subordinate to men. The current study uses data from the Barometer on Youth and Gender, conducted by the Centro Reina Sofía in 2021 (N = 1201), to analyze the potential associations among gender stereotyping, support for feminism, and acceptance of gender-based violence among young people in Spain (15–29 years old). The results show that young people ascribe, to some extent, stereotypical characteristics to women and men and point to the existence of gender-based occupational stereotypes. Our results shed light on the role that gender stereotyping plays in support for feminism and the acceptance of gender-based violence. They also provide valuable information about the magnitude of gender-stereotypical perceptions among young men and women.