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Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument
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About Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument
Scale Name
Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument
Author Details
Roberto H. Parada (Email: r.parada@uws.edu.au.)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI), developed by Parada (2000), is a 36-item self-report measure designed to assess the frequency of bullying behaviors and victimization among youth aged 12–17 years. Published by the Self-concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation (SELF) Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney, the APRI evaluates bullying from both perpetrator and victim perspectives across three dimensions: Physical (e.g., hitting, pushing), Verbal (e.g., name-calling, teasing), and Social (e.g., exclusion, rumor-spreading). It comprises six subscales: Physical Bullying, Verbal Bullying, Social Bullying, Physical Victimization, Verbal Victimization, and Social Victimization (6 items each). The scale is grounded in research on adolescent peer dynamics and the psychosocial impacts of bullying.
Participants rate the frequency of behaviors or victimization experiences over the past school term on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 6 = “Every day”). Subscale scores range from 6–36, with higher scores indicating greater involvement in bullying or victimization. The APRI was validated with a sample of Australian secondary school students (N not specified in the reference, but typically hundreds, aged 12–17, ~50% female), showing that 20–30% reported frequent victimization, with boys reporting higher physical bullying and girls more social victimization. The scale correlates with depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), anxiety (r ≈ 0.25–0.45), and lower self-esteem (r ≈ -0.20–0.40). It is used in educational and clinical psychology to assess bullying dynamics, identify at-risk youth, and evaluate intervention outcomes.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Parada (2000) or the SELF Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 12–17) that the questionnaire assesses peer interactions, including bullying and victimization, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 36-item scale in a classroom or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate behavior or victimization frequency over the past school term.
- Estimated completion time is 10–15 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The APRI demonstrates excellent psychometric properties (Parada, 2000). Internal consistency is high: Cronbach’s alpha for Total Bully Score = 0.93, Total Victim Score = 0.95, and subscale scores range from 0.83 to 0.92, based on a sample of Australian adolescents. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but inferred as moderate to high (r ≈ 0.70–0.85 over 4–6 weeks) from similar self-report bullying measures (e.g., Bond et al., 2007).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (r ≈ 0.50–0.70; Mynard & Joseph, 2000) and measures of psychosocial adjustment (e.g., depression, r ≈ 0.30–0.50). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with school disengagement and peer rejection (r ≈ 0.20–0.40). Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20).
Factor analysis confirmed the six-factor structure (three bullying and three victimization subscales). Pairing with measures like the Peer Victimization Scale (Austin & Joseph, 1996) or the Gatehouse Bullying Scale (Bond et al., 2007) enhances comprehensive bullying assessment.
Available Versions
36-Items
Reference
Parada, R. H. (2000). Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument: A theoretical and empirical basis for the measurement of participant roles in bullying and victimization of adolescence: An interim test manual and a research monograph: A test manual. Publication Unit, Self-concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation (SELF) Research Centre, University of Western Sydney.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument measure?
It measures the frequency of physical, verbal, and social bullying as both perpetrator and victim.
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 12–17 years in school settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies bullying and victimization patterns to guide school-based interventions.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations (e.g., Spanish, Chinese) require cultural validation.
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