Abstract:
ABSTRACT
This study aims to develop a self-report inventory of Narcissistic Abuse. This research
comprised of eight steps of scale development recommended by Devellis (2016). The basic
qualitative research design was employed. In the first step participants who have experience of
gaslighting were recruited through purposive and then screened through Victim Gaslighting
Questionnaire (VGQ). The sample was N=10 with age range 23-41 years (M=31.1). The in depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants to gain the participants
opinions and knowledge and valuable insights into the nature and impact of this form of abuse.
The Data analysis was performed through reflexive thematic analysis. A pool of potential items
was generated from the data gathered from interviews. To establish content validity the items
generated were refined through expert consultation and reviews. On solitude items a pilot study
was conducted on a small sample N=15 to ensure construct validity. On refined and finalized
items N=65 data was collected from sample of N=340 female adults. The Collected data was
analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. The scale underwent to principal component analysis
using varimax rotation method, resulting in 62 items retained with-in a well-defined 5-factor
structure. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency with alpha coefficient of .98. The
positive relationship of this scale with Profile of Psychological Abuse for Women (Sackett and
Saunder, 1999) supported its convergent validity (r = .73). In summary, the Inventory of
Narcissistic Abuse exhibit promising qualities with good items homogeneity, internal
consistency and a meaningful pattern of validity. This study will helps in identifying individuals
who have experienced narcissistic abuse and might be helpful to assist mental health professional
in tailoring intervention for survivors of narcissistic abuse.
