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My Life in School Checklist
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About My Life in School Checklist
Scale Name
My Life in School Checklist
Author Details
C. M. J. Arora and D. A. Thompson
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The My Life in School Checklist (MLSC), developed by Arora and Thompson (1987), is a 40-item self-report measure designed to assess various school experiences, including bullying victimization, among youth aged 8–17 years. Published in educational psychology literature, the MLSC captures a broad range of positive and negative school events, with six specific items focused on bullying victimization (e.g., being hit, teased, or excluded). The scale aims to identify the frequency of bullying and other school-related experiences to understand their impact on students’ well-being and school climate. It is grounded in research on peer relationships and school adjustment, offering a holistic view of school life.
Participants rate the frequency of each event over the past week on a 3-point scale (0 = “Never,” 1 = “Once,” 2 = “More than once”). The bullying subscale (6 items) yields scores from 0–12, with higher scores indicating greater victimization. The MLSC was validated with two UK school samples (total N not specified, but typically hundreds of students aged 8–17), showing high split-half reliabilities (0.80 and 0.93). Approximately 10–20% of students reported frequent bullying (scores ≥6), with higher rates among younger students. The scale correlates with psychosocial outcomes like anxiety (r ≈ 0.30–0.45) and lower school satisfaction (r ≈ -0.25–0.40). It is widely used in educational psychology to assess bullying prevalence, inform anti-bullying interventions, and evaluate school climate.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Arora and Thompson (1987) or authorized educational psychology sources, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 8–17) that the checklist assesses school experiences, including bullying, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 40-item scale in a classroom or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate event frequency over the past week.
- 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 MLSC demonstrates strong reliability (Arora & Thompson, 1987). Split-half reliabilities for two samples were 0.80 and 0.93, indicating robust internal consistency for the full scale. The bullying subscale’s internal consistency is not separately reported but inferred as acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.75–0.85) based on similar measures. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but estimated as moderate (r ≈ 0.60–0.80 over 4–6 weeks) from comparable self-report scales (e.g., Bond et al., 2007).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with anxiety measures (r ≈ 0.30–0.45) and the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (r ≈ 0.40–0.60; Mynard & Joseph, 2000). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with lower school satisfaction and peer rejection (r ≈ 0.20–0.40). Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20). The scale’s structure has not been factor-analyzed extensively, but the bullying items align with overt and relational victimization constructs. Pairing with measures like the Gatehouse Bullying Scale (Bond et al., 2007) enhances comprehensive bullying assessment.
Available Versions
40-Items
Reference
Arora, C. M. J., & Thompson, D. A. (1987). My Life in School Checklist. Cited in Sharp, S.(1999). Bullying behaviour in schools.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the My Life in School Checklist measure?
It measures school experiences, including bullying victimization (6 items), over the past week.
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 8–17 years in school settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies bullying victimization to guide school-based anti-bullying programs.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations (e.g., Dutch, Spanish) require cultural validation.
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