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Retrospective Bulling Questionnaire
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About Retrospective Bulling Questionnaire
Scale Name
Retrospective Bulling Questionnaire
Author Details
Mechthild Schäfer, Stefan Korn, Peter K. Smith, Simon C. Hunter, José A. Mora-Merchán, Monika M. Singer, and colleagues
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Retrospective Bullying Questionnaire (RBQ), developed by Schäfer et al. (2004), is a 44-item self-report measure designed to assess the frequency, seriousness, and duration of bullying victimization during primary and secondary school, as well as its long-term psychological impacts, including bully-related psychological trauma and suicidal ideation. Published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology, the RBQ also explores bullying experiences in college and workplace settings among young adults and adults aged 18–40 years. The scale addresses retrospective accounts of bullying, capturing physical, verbal, and relational victimization, and examines how these experiences influence mental health outcomes in adulthood.
Participants respond to items about their school experiences (e.g., “How often were you physically bullied in primary school?”) using Likert-type scales for frequency (e.g., 0 = “Never” to 4 = “Very often”), seriousness, and duration, with additional items assessing trauma (e.g., intrusive memories) and suicidal ideation. The RBQ was validated with 198 university students (mean age ≈ 22 years, 65% female) in the UK, showing that 51% reported bullying victimization in school, with 10% experiencing severe long-term effects. The scale correlates with measures of depression (r ≈ 0.35–0.50) and post-traumatic stress (r ≈ 0.30–0.45). It is used in developmental and clinical psychology to study the lasting effects of bullying, identify at-risk individuals, and inform therapeutic interventions.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from the British Journal of Developmental Psychology (Schäfer et al., 2004) or authorized sources, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 18–40) that the questionnaire assesses past school and adult bullying experiences and their impact, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 44-item scale in a controlled setting (e.g., university, clinic), using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency, seriousness, and duration of bullying.
- Estimated completion time is 15–20 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The RBQ demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Schäfer et al., 2004). Test-retest reliability over 2 months is high: r = 0.88 for primary school items and r = 0.87 for secondary school items, based on a subsample of the 198 participants. Internal consistency is not explicitly reported but inferred as high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.80–0.90) based on similar retrospective measures. Convergent validity is supported by correlations with depression scales (r ≈ 0.35–0.50) and post-traumatic stress measures (r ≈ 0.30–0.45). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with suicidal ideation and lower life satisfaction in adulthood (r ≈ 0.25–0.40).
Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20). The scale’s structure distinguishes primary and secondary school victimization, with additional factors for trauma and workplace/college bullying. Pairing with measures like the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) or the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000) enhances assessment of long-term bullying effects.
Available Versions
44-Items
Reference
Schäfer, M., Korn, S., Smith, P. K., Hunter, S. C., Mora‐Merchán, J. A., Singer, M. M., & Van der Meulen, K. (2004). Lonely in the crowd: Recollections of bullying. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 22(3), 379-394.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Retrospective Bullying Questionnaire measure?
It measures frequency, seriousness, and duration of bullying victimization in school, plus trauma and suicidal ideation in adulthood.
Who is the target population?
Young adults and adults aged 18–40 years.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 15–20 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies long-term bullying effects to guide therapeutic interventions.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations (e.g., German, Spanish) require cultural validation.
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