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A Psychometric Comparison of Two Self-Report Measures of Bullying and Victimization: Differences by Sex and Grade

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Abstract

Numerous rating scales have been designed to assess bullying and victimization; however, the psychometric properties of these measures have been understudied. As a result, the accuracy of evaluations that determine the effectiveness of bullying policies or prevention programs is uncertain. The current study was designed to (a) compare the psychometric properties of two commonly-used student self-report measures of bullying and victimization in 3rd through 5th graders, (b) examine the psychometric properties of these two measures by sex and grade, and (c) examine sex and grade differences in levels of bullying and victimization. Participants were 532 elementary school students in Grades 3 through 5. Students completed the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ) and the Reynolds Bully-Victimization Scales (BVS). Measures were completed during guidance classes. In general, students admitted to more victimization than bullying. Further, internal consistency analyses indicated that the BVS had better reliability than the OBVQ which is likely a result of more items on BVS subscales than on OBVQ subscales. A number of interesting sex and grade differences were also identified. Implications for the assessment of school bullying and victimization are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the following individuals for their contributions to this project: Vanessa Brown, Christina David, David Estes, David Fedele, Melissa Jackson, Jamie Johnson, Elizabeth Lefler, Cynthia Muhamedajic, Megan Rose, Douglas Scambler, Benjamin Sigel, Meredith Slish, Brooke Whitesell, and Benjamin Wilkowski.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Dept. #3415, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA

    Cynthia M. Hartung, Carolyn S. Little & Erica K. Allen

  2. Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Melanie C. Page

Authors
  1. Cynthia M. Hartung
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  2. Carolyn S. Little
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  3. Erica K. Allen
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  4. Melanie C. Page
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Correspondence to Cynthia M. Hartung.

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Hartung, C.M., Little, C.S., Allen, E.K. et al. A Psychometric Comparison of Two Self-Report Measures of Bullying and Victimization: Differences by Sex and Grade. School Mental Health 3, 44–57 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-010-9046-1

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