Psychology RootsTable of Contents
Victimization Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Victimization Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Victimization Scale
Scale Name
Victimization Scale
Author Details
Hedy Nadel, Martha Spellmann, Theresa Alvarez-Canino, Linda Lausell-Bryant, and Gary Landsberg (1991)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Victimization Scale, developed by Hedy Nadel, Martha Spellmann, Theresa Alvarez-Canino, Linda Lausell-Bryant, and Gary Landsberg in 1991, is a youth-report questionnaire designed to measure exposure to violence and victimization in one’s home, school, and neighborhood. Targeting middle school students in grades 6-8 (ages 11-14) in urban settings, the scale was developed to assess the impact of violence exposure on youth mental health and behavior. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with stress and trauma theories (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), evaluating how experiences of victimization (e.g., being threatened, attacked, or witnessing violence) contribute to psychological distress and behavioral outcomes.
The scale comprises 7 items across three domains: home, school, and neighborhood. Items are rated on a 4-point frequency scale (0 = “never,” 1 = “once,” 2 = “several times,” 3 = “often”). Examples include “I have been hit or attacked at school” and “I have seen someone threatened in my neighborhood.” Scores are summed (range: 0-21), with higher scores indicating greater exposure to violence and victimization. Validated in urban middle school samples, it is used to assess trauma exposure, predict mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, PTSD), and inform interventions for at-risk youth.
Psychologists, trauma researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate violence exposure, study its psychological impact, and design prevention programs. Its focus on multiple contexts (home, school, neighborhood) is a strength, but the lack of reported internal consistency and English-only availability may limit reliability and cross-cultural use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or related publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses exposure to violence to support youth well-being, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, trauma-sensitive language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to rate the frequency of victimization experiences in their home, school, or neighborhood over the past year, using the 4-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes, given the 7-item format.
- Administer in a school, clinical, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private and supportive environment. Oral administration or assistance is recommended for students with reading difficulties or emotional distress.
Reliability and Validity
The Victimization Scale’s psychometric properties are not fully detailed in Dahlberg et al. (2005), with no specific internal consistency reported. Based on similar scales (e.g., Children’s Exposure to Community Violence, Richters & Martinez, 1990), internal consistency is estimated to be moderate (α ≈ 0.70-0.80), though the small number of items may reduce cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on similar trauma measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as increased PTSD symptoms (r ≈ 0.30-0.50), anxiety (r ≈ 0.20-0.40), and behavioral problems (r ≈ 0.15-0.35). Discriminant validity is inferred from weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic performance (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its use in predicting mental health outcomes in urban youth studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s multi-context focus (home, school, neighborhood) supports construct validity. The lack of reported reliability necessitates cautious use, ideally paired with validated measures like the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991).
Available Versions
135-Items
Reference
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.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Victimization Scale measure?
It measures exposure to violence and victimization in home, school, and neighborhood settings.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, trauma researchers, and public health professionals studying middle school students.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban middle school students in grades 6-8.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but unreported reliability suggests use with validated measures.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.
