Balance of Power is a 7-item measure of an individual's perception of the balance of power and equitable attitudes within a relationship. Based on the Sexual and Reproductive Power Scale found here, this measure includes aspects such as decision making power and couple communication.
Geographies Tested: Ethiopia,Kenya
Populations Included: Female, Male
Age Range: Adults
1. My partner has more say than I do about important decisions that affect us.
2. I am more committed to this relationship than my partner is.
3. A woman should be able to talk openly about sex with her husband.*
4. My partner dictates who I spend time with.
5. When my partner and I disagree, shehe gets herhis way most of the time.
6. I feel comfortable discussing family planning with my partner.*
7. I feel comfortable discussing HIV with my partner.*
Response Options:
Yes - 0
No - 1
*Items are reverse scored
Item scores are summed. Higher total scores reflect a more equal balance of power perceived by the respondent and lower scores reflecting a less equal balance of power. The scores do not indicate a finite amount of power perceived by each individual.
Stephenson, R., Bartel, D., & Rubardt, M. (2012). Constructs of power and equity and their association with contraceptive use among men and women in rural Ethiopia and Kenya. Global Public Health, 7(6), 618-634. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2012.672581.
Psychometric Score
Ease of Use Score
Formative ResearchQualitative Research
Existing Literature/Theoretical Framework
Field Expert Input
Cognitive Interviews / Pilot Testing
ReliabilityInternal
Test-retest
Interrater
ValidityContent
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Criterion (gold-standard)
Construct
KEY
Ease of UseReadability
Scoring Clarity
Length
Evidence-based Measures of Empowerment for Research on Gender Equality (EMERGE)
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