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Homophobic Content Agent Target Scale
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About Homophobic Content Agent Target Scale
Scale Name
Homophobic Content Agent Target Scale
Author Details
V. Paul Poteat and Dorothy L. Espelage (2005) © Springer Publishing Company
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Homophobic Content Agent Target Scale (HCAT), developed by Poteat and Espelage (2005), is a 10-item self-report measure designed to assess the frequency of homophobic name-calling among youth aged 10–18 years. Published in Violence and Victims, the HCAT evaluates homophobic verbal content (e.g., use of terms like “fag” or “queer”) from two perspectives: Agent (perpetrator, 5 items, e.g., “How often do you call others homophobic names?”) and Target (victim, 5 items, e.g., “How often are you called homophobic names?”). The scale addresses homophobic bullying as a specific form of peer victimization, exploring its role in school climates and its impact on psychosocial adjustment.
Participants rate the frequency of homophobic name-calling over the past school term on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 5 = “Very often”). Subscale scores range from 5–25, with higher scores indicating greater perpetration (Agent) or victimization (Target). The HCAT was validated with 191 middle school students (mean age ≈ 13 years, 52% male) in the U.S., showing that 70% reported hearing homophobic slurs, with boys more likely to be agents and targets. The scale correlates with general bullying (r ≈ 0.40–0.60) and psychosocial distress, such as anxiety and depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.50). It is used in educational and social psychology to assess homophobic bullying, inform anti-bullying programs, and promote inclusive school environments.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Violence and Victims (Poteat & Espelage, 2005) or authorized sources, ensuring ethical permissions from Springer Publishing Company.
- Explain to participants (aged 10–18) that the questionnaire assesses experiences with homophobic name-calling, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 10-item scale in a classroom or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency of perpetration and victimization over the past school term.
- Estimated completion time is 5–7 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The HCAT demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Poteat & Espelage, 2005). Internal consistency is robust: Cronbach’s alpha ranges from 0.77–0.85 for the Agent subscale and 0.81–0.85 for the Target subscale, based on a sample of 191 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 bullying measures (e.g., Bond et al., 2007).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (r ≈ 0.40–0.60; Parada, 2000) and measures of psychosocial distress (e.g., depression, r ≈ 0.30–0.50). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with lower school belonging and increased aggression (r ≈ 0.25–0.45). Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20).
Factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure (Agent and Target). Pairing with measures like the AAUW Sexual Harassment Survey (2001) or the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000) enhances assessment of bullying dynamics.
Available Versions
10-Items
Reference
Poteat, V. P., & Espelage, D. L. (2005). Exploring the relation between bullying and homophobic verbal content: the homophobic content agent target (HCAT) scale. Violence & Victims, 20(5).
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Homophobic Content Agent Target Scale measure?
It measures the frequency of homophobic name-calling as both perpetrator (Agent) and victim (Target).
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 10–18 years in school settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 5–7 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies homophobic bullying to guide inclusive school policies and interventions.
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