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Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency
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About Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency
Scale Name
Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency
Author Details
Robert L. Flewelling, Mallie J. Paschall, and Christopher L. Ringwalt
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency scale, developed by Robert L. Flewelling, Mallie J. Paschall, and Christopher L. Ringwalt in 1993, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the perceived likelihood of engaging in violence and other high-risk behaviors among African-American males aged 12-16. Created as part of a violence prevention study in urban, high-risk communities, the scale assesses adolescents’ self-reported intentions or expectations of participating in delinquent acts, such as fighting, weapon use, or substance abuse. It aligns with social learning theory and general strain theory, which suggest that exposure to violence and environmental stressors can shape attitudes and intentions toward risky behaviors (Agnew, 1992; Bandura, 1978). The scale was published in Ethnicity and Disease (Paschall & Flewelling, 1997) as part of a broader evaluation of psychosocial measures.
The scale comprises items (exact number not specified, but typically 6-10 based on similar measures) rated on a Likert-type scale (e.g., 1 = “very unlikely” to 4 or 5 = “very likely”), assessing perceived probabilities of engaging in specific behaviors (e.g., “How likely is it that you will get into a physical fight?” or “How likely is it that you will use drugs?”). Higher scores indicate a greater perceived likelihood of delinquent or violent behavior. Validated in urban African-American male adolescents, the scale is used to identify at-risk youth and evaluate prevention programs targeting violence and delinquency.
Psychologists, public health researchers, and educators use the scale to assess risk factors, inform intervention strategies, and study the impact of community violence exposure on behavioral intentions. Its high internal consistency and cultural specificity make it valuable for targeted research, though its English-only availability, specific demographic focus, and reliance on self-reported intentions may limit its generalizability and predictive accuracy for actual behavior.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency scale from primary sources, such as Paschall and Flewelling (1997) in Ethnicity and Disease or authorized research archives, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses their thoughts about engaging in certain behaviors to support prevention efforts, emphasizing confidentiality and using culturally sensitive, age-appropriate language.
- Provide instructions, asking respondents to rate each item based on how likely they think it is that they will engage in specific violent or delinquent behaviors, using the Likert scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 3-5 minutes, depending on the number of items and respondents’ reading ability.
- Administer in a classroom, community center, 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 Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency scale demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported by Paschall and Flewelling (1997). Internal consistency is high, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89, indicating excellent item cohesion and reliability for research with African-American male adolescents. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar self-report delinquency scales (e.g., r ≈ 0.70-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as exposure to community violence and attitudes favoring aggression (r ≈ 0.30-0.50), and its association with risk behaviors like bullying or substance use, consistent with findings from violence exposure studies (e.g., Fitzpatrick & Boldizar, 1993). Discriminant validity is inferred from weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, such as academic performance (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict higher risk profiles in youth exposed to violence, aligning with social learning theory predictions (Bandura, 1978). Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s focus on violence and delinquency intentions supports construct validity. The high reliability makes it a robust tool, though it should be paired with behavioral measures for comprehensive assessments.
Available Versions
09-Items
Reference
Paschall, M. J., & Flewelling, R. L. (1997). Measuring intermediate outcomes of violence prevention programs targeting African-American male youth: an exploratory assessment of the psychometric properties of six psychosocial measures. Health Education Research, 12(1), 117-128.
Fitzpatrick, K. M., & Boldizar, J. P. (1993). The prevalence and consequences of exposure to violence among African-American youth. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 32(2), 424-430.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency scale measure?
It measures perceived likelihood of engaging in violence and high-risk behaviors.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, researchers, and educators studying African-American male youth.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 3-5 minutes.
Is the scale specific to African-American males?
Yes, it targets males aged 12-16 in urban settings.
Can the scale inform prevention programs?
Yes, it identifies at-risk youth with high reliability, but should be used with other measures.
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