Conflict Tactics Scale – Sibling or Parent Version (CTS)
Measures the frequency of reasoning, verbal aggression, and physical violence tactics used during conflicts with family members.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Conflict Tactics Scale – Sibling or Parent Version (CTS) was developed by Murray A. Straus (1979). It is designed to measure Intrafamily Conflict Resolution Tactics. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 14 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Reasoning, Verbal Aggression, Physical Aggression.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 1,2,3,4 | 4 |
| Verbal Aggression | 5,6,7,8 | 4 |
| Physical Aggression | 9,10,11,12,13,14 | 6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Never, 1 = Once that year, 2 = Two or three times, 3 = Often, but less than once a month, 4 = About once a month, 5 = More than once a month.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 70. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Conflict/Aggression: 0 – 15
- Moderate Conflict/Aggression: 16 – 35
- High Conflict/Aggression: 36 – 70
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Varies by subscale (typically alpha 0.60 to 0.88).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.