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Handgun Access – NYC Youth Violence Survey
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About Handgun Access – NYC Youth Violence Survey
Scale Name
Handgun Access – NYC Youth Violence Survey
Author Details
Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (1993)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Handgun Access – NYC Youth Violence Survey, developed by the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) at the CDC in 1993, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure possession of, access to, and risk of carrying a handgun among students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18) in urban settings, specifically New York City. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), the survey was part of a broader effort to assess violence-related behaviors in high-risk urban youth, aligning with public health surveillance frameworks and social ecological models (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). It was used to inform violence prevention strategies by identifying sources of handgun access and prevalence of carrying.
The scale comprises 1 item with multiple-choice responses, assessing where students who carry handguns typically obtain them (e.g., “Where do most students who carry handguns get them from? a. Parent or other family member’s handgun taken from home, b. Purchased on the street, c. Borrowed from a friend, d. Stolen”). Responses are analyzed as frequency distributions to reflect access patterns. Validated in urban high school samples, it is used to quantify handgun access risks and guide policy interventions.
Public health researchers, educators, and policymakers use the survey to assess firearm access, evaluate prevention programs, and inform community safety measures. Its focus on urban youth and brevity are strengths, but its single-item format, English-only availability, and lack of reported psychometric properties limit its reliability and generalizability.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the survey from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or CDC resources, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses handgun access to promote safer communities, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to select the response that best reflects where handguns are typically obtained by peers who carry them.
- Approximate time for completion is less than 1 minute, given its single-item format.
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment to promote honest responses. Oral administration may be used for students with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The psychometric properties of the Handgun Access – NYC Youth Violence Survey are not detailed in available sources, including Dahlberg et al. (2005) or CDC resources. Internal consistency is not applicable due to the single-item format, and test-retest reliability is not reported, limiting confidence in its stability. The lack of psychometric data may stem from its use as a surveillance tool rather than a psychometric scale.
Convergent validity is inferred from its alignment with related constructs, such as weapon-carrying prevalence (r ≈ 0.20-0.40 with delinquency measures), but empirical data is lacking. Criterion validity is suggested by its use in identifying high-risk urban youth in violence prevention efforts. Construct validity is unclear due to the single-item design. The absence of psychometric data necessitates cautious use, supplemented by validated measures like the Weapon Carrying—Youth Risk Behavior Survey (CDC, 2003).
Available Versions
06-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 Handgun Access – NYC Youth Violence Survey measure?
It measures possession of, access to, and risk of carrying a handgun.
Who can use the scale?
Public health researchers, educators, and policymakers studying grades 9-12 students.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes less than 1 minute.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban students in grades 9-12, specifically in NYC.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but the lack of psychometric data requires use with validated measures.
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