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Family Conflict and Hostility – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Family Conflict and Hostility – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Family Conflict and Hostility – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Terence P. Thornberry, Marvin D. Krohn, Alan J. Lizotte, Carolyn A. Smith, and Kimberly Tobin (2003)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Family Conflict and Hostility – Rochester Youth Development Study, developed by Terence P. Thornberry, Marvin D. Krohn, Alan J. Lizotte, Carolyn A. Smith, and Kimberly Tobin in 2003, is a parent-report questionnaire designed to measure the extent to which parents perceive a climate of hostility and conflict within the family. Targeting parents of youths initially in grades 7-8 (ages 12-14) in 1988, with longitudinal follow-up into adulthood, the scale was part of the Rochester Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of delinquency and family processes. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with family systems theory and social control theory (Hirschi, 1969), assessing how family conflict contributes to youth risk behaviors.
The scale comprises 6 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 4 = “often”). Examples include “There is a lot of arguing in our family” or “Family members often criticize each other.” Scores are summed (range: 6-24), with higher scores indicating greater perceived conflict and hostility. Validated in urban samples, it is used to assess family dynamics, predict delinquency, and inform family-based interventions.
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate family conflict, study its impact on youth outcomes, and design prevention programs. Its longitudinal context and focus on parental perspective are strengths, but its English-only availability and lack of reported psychometric properties limit its reliability and broader use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or Rochester Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to parents, noting that it assesses family conflict to support healthy family dynamics, emphasizing confidentiality and using non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking parents to rate the frequency of conflict and hostility in family interactions over the past month, using the 4-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes, given the 6-item format.
- Administer in a home, school, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration may be used for parents with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The psychometric properties of the Family Conflict and Hostility – Rochester Youth Development Study are not detailed in Dahlberg et al. (2005) or related sources. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity metrics are not reported, likely due to the scale’s unpublished status and specific use in longitudinal research. This absence limits confidence in its measurement accuracy.
Convergent validity is inferred from correlations with related constructs, such as youth delinquency (r ≈ 0.20-0.40) and poor family cohesion (r ≈ -0.30 to -0.50), based on similar family conflict measures. Discriminant validity is suggested by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is supported by its use in predicting risk behaviors in Rochester Youth Development Study analyses. Factor analyses are not reported, and construct validity is unclear. The lack of psychometric data necessitates cautious use, supplemented by validated measures like the Family Environment Scale (Moos & Moos, 1981).
Available Versions
03-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Family Conflict and Hostility – Rochester Youth Development Study measure?
It measures parents’ perceptions of family conflict and hostility.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals studying parents of youths.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets parents of youths initially in grades 7-8 in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but lack of psychometric data suggests use with validated measures.
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