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Setting the Record Straight
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About Setting the Record Straight
Scale Name
Setting the Record Straight
Author Details
Neil F. Gottheil and Eric F. Dubow
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Setting the Record Straight (STRS) measure, developed by Gottheil and Dubow (2001), is a 30-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess bullying and victimization experiences among youth aged 8–11 years. Published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse, the STRS is unique in capturing both self-reported experiences and perceived peer perceptions of bullying and victimization. It comprises four subscales: Self-Reported Bullying (e.g., engaging in physical or verbal aggression), Self-Reported Victimization (e.g., being hit, teased, or excluded), Perceived Peer Perception of Bullying (how respondents believe peers view their bullying behavior), and Perceived Peer Perception of Victimization (how respondents believe peers view their victimization). The measure is grounded in the tripartite beliefs model, which emphasizes cognitive, emotional, and social factors in bullying dynamics.
Participants rate the frequency of experiences over the past school term on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 5 = “Always”). Subscale scores are calculated, with higher scores indicating greater involvement or perceived involvement. The STRS was validated with a sample of 294 U.S. elementary school students (grades 3–5, mean age ≈ 10 years, ~50% female), showing that 20–25% reported frequent victimization and 10–15% reported bullying behaviors. The scale correlates with self-esteem (r ≈ -0.25–0.40), depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), and peer nominations of bullying/victimization (r ≈ 0.35–0.55). It is used in developmental and educational psychology to assess bullying from dual perspectives, identify at-risk youth, and inform targeted interventions.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the measure from Gottheil and Dubow (2001a, 2001b) or contact Dr. Neil Gottheil (ngottheil@cheo.on.ca, 613-738-3264) for permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 8–11) that the questionnaire assesses their own and perceived peer views of bullying and victimization, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 30-item scale in a classroom or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency of experiences over the past school term.
- Estimated completion time is 12–15 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration or simplified language) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The STRS demonstrates acceptable to strong psychometric properties (Gottheil & Dubow, 2001a, 2001b). Internal consistency is reported as: Self-Reported Bullying (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.72), Self-Reported Victimization (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88), Perceived Peer Perception of Bullying (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.69), and Perceived Peer Perception of Victimization (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85), based on a sample of 294 students. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but inferred as moderate (r ≈ 0.65–0.80 over 4–6 weeks) from similar self-report measures.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Peer Victimization Scale (r ≈ 0.40–0.60; Austin & Joseph, 1996) and peer nominations (r ≈ 0.35–0.55; Gottheil & Dubow, 2001a). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem (r ≈ 0.30–0.50). Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20). The four-factor structure was confirmed via factor analysis. Pairing with measures like the Introducing My Classmates (Gottheil & Dubow, 2001) or the Reduced Aggression/Victimization Scale (Orpinas & Horne, 2006) enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
30-Items
Reference
Gottheil, N. F., & Dubow, E. F. (2001a). The interrelationships of behavioral indices of bully and victim behavior. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 2(2-3), 75–93.
Gottheil, N. F., & Dubow, E. F. (2001b). Tripartite beliefs model of bully and victim behavior. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 2(2-3), 25–47.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Setting the Record Straight measure assess?
It assesses self-reported and perceived peer perceptions of bullying and victimization.
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 8–11 years in school settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 12–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies bullying/victimization patterns and perceptions to guide interventions.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations require cultural validation
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