TY - JOUR PY - 2018// TI - Development and validation of the youth violence potential scale JO - Violence and victims A1 - Edelstein, Ian SP - 789 EP - 812 VL - 33 IS - 5 N2 - The assessment of violence risk among youth remains a priority for researchers and practitioners globally. The absence of scales designed or validated in developing countries drives the need for a psychometrically sound, alternative measure. The purpose of this article is to validate the Youth Violence Potential Scale (YVPS). The YVPS was administered twice over 12 months to 318 South African males, aged 12-24 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of separate samples confirmed a 19-item, three-factor solution, comprised of a Deviant Peers subscale, a Pro-Gangs Attitude subscale, and a Pro-Violence Attitude subscale. The YVPS exhibited internal reliability (α =.91) and discriminant and convergent validity among its subscales. Correlation with self-reported problem behavior/offending (r =.48, p <.001) and risk assessment from the maternal caregiver (r =.39, p <.001) evidenced concurrent and external validity.

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Language: en

LA - en SN - 0886-6708 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-17-00040 ID - ref1 ER -