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Self-Reported Delinquency – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Self-Reported Delinquency – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Self-Reported Delinquency – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Terence P. Thornberry, Marvin D. Krohn, Alan J. Lizotte, Carolyn A. Smith, and Kimberly Tobin
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Self-Reported Delinquency Scale, developed by Terence P. Thornberry, Marvin D. Krohn, Alan J. Lizotte, Carolyn A. Smith, and Kimberly Tobin as part of the Rochester Youth Development Study (RYDS) in 2003, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the self-reported frequency of 36 delinquent acts among youths initially in grades 7-8 (ages 12-14) in 1988, followed into adulthood. Published in Pathways to Delinquency (Thornberry et al., 2003), the scale assesses a range of delinquent behaviors, from minor offenses (e.g., petty theft) to serious crimes (e.g., robbery, assault), aligning with criminological theories like social control and life-course perspectives (Sampson & Laub, 1993). The RYDS, a longitudinal study, used this scale to track delinquency trajectories and their correlates, such as family, peers, and socioeconomic factors, in a high-risk urban sample.
The scale comprises 36 items rated on a frequency scale (e.g., 0 = “never” to 3 = “often” or higher, depending on the version), covering categories like property crimes, violent offenses, drug use, and status offenses (e.g., “Have you stolen something worth less than $50?” or “Have you hit someone to hurt them?”). Scores are summed or averaged to create an overall delinquency index or subscale scores, with higher scores indicating greater delinquent involvement. Validated in a diverse urban sample (including African-American, Hispanic, and White youth), it is used to study delinquency prevalence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes like adult criminality.
Criminologists, psychologists, and public health researchers use the scale to assess delinquent behavior, evaluate prevention programs, and inform policy. Its longitudinal design and comprehensive item set are strengths, though its English-only primary use and focus on a specific cohort may limit generalizability.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from primary sources, such as Thornberry et al. (2003) or Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths (p. 122, available at http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf), ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses past behaviors to understand youth development, emphasizing confidentiality and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking youths to rate the frequency of engaging in each of the 36 delinquent acts over a specified period (e.g., past year), using the frequency scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 10-15 minutes, depending on reading ability and response reflection.
- Administer in a school, research, or community setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment to promote honest responses. Oral administration may be used for younger or low-literacy respondents.
Reliability and Validity
The Self-Reported Delinquency Scale demonstrates strong psychometric properties, though specific metrics are not fully detailed in Thornberry et al. (2003). Internal consistency is inferred to be high (α ≈ 0.80-0.90) based on similar delinquency measures, reflecting robust item cohesion across diverse behaviors. Test-retest reliability is moderate to high (r ≈ 0.70-0.85 over months), as seen in longitudinal RYDS data, supporting stability.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as peer delinquency (r ≈ 0.40-0.60), official arrest records, and externalizing behaviors. Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict adult criminality and distinguish high-risk youth in RYDS analyses. Factor analyses suggest a multidimensional structure (e.g., property, violent, drug-related delinquency), supporting construct validity. The scale’s reliability makes it robust, but self-report biases necessitate triangulation with official records or multi-informant data.
Available Versions
36-Items
Reference
Thornberry, T. P. (2003). Gangs and delinquency in developmental perspective. Cambridge University Press.
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.
Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (1993). Crime in the making: Pathways and turning points through life. Crime & Delinquency, 39(3), 396-396.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Self-Reported Delinquency Scale measure?
It measures the frequency of 36 delinquent acts.
Who can use the scale?
Criminologists, psychologists, and researchers studying youth delinquency.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 10-15 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban youths initially in grades 7-8, followed into adulthood.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies risk with inferred high reliability (α ≈ 0.80-0.90).
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