Table 3

Item Analysis for Each Study Scale


Item Mean (SD)
Item-Total#
Alpha if Deleted

Preparedness (n = 864)

1. I would like to talk about the issue of abuse but don't know what to say^
2.93 (0.72)
0.62
0.86
2. I would be hesitant to ask about WA because I have little or no experience in dealing with this situation^
3.01 (0.68)
0.65
0.86
3. I feel prepared asking about abuse of women who appear to me to be at risk of having been or being abused*
2.91 (0.70)
0.67
0.85
4. I feel prepared asking about abuse of women who do not appear to me to be at risk of having been or being abused*
2.50 (0.71)
0.58
0.87
5. I feel ready to respond to a woman who says "no" to my question about abuse*
2.75 (0.62)
0.63
0.86
6. I feel ready to respond to a women who says "yes" to my question about abuse*
2.94 (0.61)
0.71
0.85
7. I feel prepared sharing information on woman abuse to clients who respond "no"*
2.65 (0.63)
0.54
0.87
8. I am hesitant to ask about woman WA because I have not been appropriately trained^
2.77 (0.74)
0.69
0.85
Self-confidence (n = 878)



1. I am confident with my ability to address the issue of WA*
2.76 (0.71)
0.58
0.76
2. I feel that I am able to support this woman while she gets the right help*
2.92 (0.62)
0.53
0.77
3. I would feel confident if I were required to ask women about abuse*
2.83 (0.72)
0.53
0.77
4. I feel that I am a competent helper whether or not the woman and her situation change at this time*
2.88 (0.56)
0.60
0.76
5. I feel comfortable supporting the woman during the interview even though she may not be ready to deal with this problem in the same way I would want her to*
3.10 (0.55)
0.54
0.76
6. I feel comfortable discussing these practice situations with colleagues to help me deal effectively with WA*
3.10 (0.55)
0.37
0.79
7. I feel comfortable helping this woman access resources to help deal with the abuse*
2.98 (0.67)
0.53
0.77
Practitioner lack of control (n = 898)



1. Since this is a private family matter, I should not interfere^
3.52 (0.56)
0.53
0.76
2. There isn't anything I can do unless she asks for help^
3.21 (0.60)
0.51
0.76
3. I would not ask her about WA because I don't think she is ready to tell me^
3.18 (0.57)
0.60
0.75
4. I feel that I am not able to help women who are abused^
3.21 (0.62)
0.48
0.77
5. I am reluctant to intervene in case I make matters worse^
3.15 (0.62)
0.61
0.74
6. I would not offer any assistance since there is no effective treatment for WA^
2.98 (0.60)
0.46
0.77
7. I would give her written information about WA and/or available resources, but would not talk about her situation^
3.48 (0.55)
0.42
0.78
Comfort following disclosure (n = 910)



1. I feel I am able to listen to women's stories as they disclose the abuse they have experienced*
3.26 (0.54)
0.63
NA
2. I am able to continue the discussion after a disclosure to assess the needs of the client*
3.10 (0.59)
0.63
NA
Professional supports (n = 883)



1. I feel comfortable discussing these practice situations with colleagues to help them deal effectively with woman abuse*
2.74 (0.71)
0.44
0.73
2. I have enough supports from colleagues, mentors, supervisors, etc. to help me feel comfortable in asking about woman abuse and in dealing with the responses*
2.77 (0.74)
0.51
0.69
3. I participate with my practice colleagues in planning and evaluating methods to develop or improve program delivery regarding WA*
2.20 (0.74)
0.56
0.66
4. I have opportunities for consultations regarding how to deal with situations such as Carol's*
2.48 (0.79)
0.61
0.62
Practice pressures (n = 887)



1. I may forget to ask her about WA^
2.97 (0.70)
0.41
0.72
2. I just don't have time today to address this possible abuse issue^
3.12 (0.65)
0.53
0.67
3. I am reluctant to ask about WA because there are not sufficient community resources to provide assistance^
3.02 (0.64)
0.52
0.67
4. I am hesitant to ask about WA because I might have to call the CAS or the police^
3.15 (0.64)
0.51
0.68
5. I feel frustrated because I don't have the time to talk about abuse^
2.65 (0.73)
0.50
0.68
Abuse inquiry (n = 875)



1. I routinely initiate the topic of WA*
2.33 (0.72)
0.50
0.65
2. I would ask her directly if her husband has ever hit her*
2.98 (0.74)
0.47
0.66
3. I won't put her on the spot by initiating the topic of abuse^
2.96 (0.63)
0.46
0.67
4. I am hesitant to ask about WA in case the woman stops seeing me^
3.13 (0.55)
0.41
0.68
5. I am hesitant to ask some clients about WA because to them it is culturally acceptable^
3.04 (0.57)
0.32
0.70
6. I would introduce WA by stating that abuse frequently occurs and that often women are hesitant to talk about it*
2.92 (0.67)
0.41
0.68
7. It is an expectation to inquire about WA*
2.79 (0.69)
0.37
0.69
Practitioner consequences of asking (n = 896)



1. I worry about my own safety when inquiring about WA^
3.06 (0.66)
0.40
0.49
2. I think about possible legal consequences when asking about WA^
2.81 (0.70)
0.39
0.50
3. I am hesitant to ask about WA because I also treat/deal with other family members^
3.06 (0.58)
0.41
0.48

item-total#: Item-total correlation; WA: Woman abuse, CAS: Children's Aid Society; NA: Not applicable

Items scoring ^: strongly agree (1), agree (2), disagree (3), strongly disagree (4)

*: strongly agree (4), agree (3), disagree (2), strongly disagree (1)

Gutmanis et al. BMC Public Health 2007 7:12   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-12