The Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Guide, or SARA, is a 20-item paper-and-pencil checklist designed to screen for risk factors in individuals suspected of or being treated for spousal or family-related assault. Items include: past assault and threats of assault, past violation of conditional release, recent relationship problems, recent employment problems, recent substance abuse/dependence, recent suicidal or homicidal ideation/intent, personality disorder with anger and/or impulsivity, etc.
This scale was developed by Richard Jessor and colleagues at the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The challenge of the Research Program on Health Behavior is to advance the understanding of psychosocial and behavioral determinants of healthy behavior and fitness. The Program is highly interdisciplinary with research associates representing psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, pediatrics, kinesiology and behavioral genetics.
Research among adolescents has shown that health-compromising behaviors such as HIV risk, substance use, and violence tend co-occur. Neighborhood environment may predispose adolescents to HIV risk as well as other externalizing behaviors. The following scale has been used with early adolescents and has a high internal consistency (KR20=.85: Crum et al., 1996).
This scale measures perception of neighborhood and existing problems. This scale asks questions related to neighborhoods having abandoned houses, gang fights, and vandalism.
This survey assesses reasons for leaving home, this survey asks questions related to leaving home because of conflict with parent(s), physical abuse from parent(s), and personal mental health problems.
This survey assesses being exposed to or have experienced violence. This survey asks questions related to being physically attacked, sexually assaulted, and fighting.
This survey assesses the parenting and child rearing attitudes of adult and adolescent-parent and pre-parent populations. Based on the known parenting and child rearing behaviors of abusive parents, responses to the inventory provide an index of risk for practicing behaviors known to be attributable to child abuse and neglect. Bavolek, S.J., Kline, D.F., and McLaughlin, J.A. 1979. Primary prevention of child abuse: Identification of high-risk adolescents. Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal 3(3): 1071-1080.
This survey can be used to assess domestic violence against pregnant women. This survey asks questions related to emotional and physical abuse towards a partner including being forced to have sexual activities. Leung, W.C., Leung, T.W., Lam, Y.Y.J., & Ho, P.C. (1999). The prevalence of domestic violence against pregnant women in a Chinese community. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 66, 23-30.
This survey assesses sexual abuse to those who are 18 years of age and older. This survey asks questions related to unwanted, uninvited, or forced sexual contact of any kind.
This survey assesses violence in relationships. This survey asks questions related to talking to a friend/relatives about problems in the relationship and physical altercations that could’ve taken place among partners.