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Article
Assessment of Adolescents’ Victimization, Aggression, and Problem Behaviors: Evaluation of the Problem Behavior Frequency Scale
Psychological Assessment
  • Albert D. Farrell, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Terri N. Sullivan, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Elizabeth A. Goncy, Cleveland State University
  • Anh-Thuy H. Le, Virginia Commonwealth University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Disciplines
Abstract

This study evaluated the Problem Behavior Frequency Scale (PBFS), a self-report measure designed to assess adolescents’ frequency of victimization, aggression, and other problem behaviors. Analyses were conducted on a sample of 5,532 adolescents from 37 schools at 4 sites. About half (49%) of participants were male; 48% self-identified as Black non-Hispanic; 21% as Hispanic, 18% as White non-Hispanic. Adolescents completed the PBFS and measures of beliefs and values related to aggression, and delinquent peer associations at the start of the 6th grade and over 2 years later. Ratings of participants’ behavior were also obtained from teachers on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a 7-factor model that differentiated among 3 forms of aggression (physical, verbal, and relational), 2 forms of victimization (overt and relational), drug use, and other delinquent behavior. Support was found for strong measurement invariance across gender, sites, and time. The PBFS factors generally showed the expected pattern of correlations with teacher ratings of adolescents’ behavior and self-report measures of relevant constructs.

DOI
10.1037/pas0000225
Version
Postprint
Citation Information
Albert D. Farrell, Terri N. Sullivan, Elizabeth A. Goncy and Anh-Thuy H. Le. "Assessment of Adolescents’ Victimization, Aggression, and Problem Behaviors: Evaluation of the Problem Behavior Frequency Scale" Psychological Assessment Vol. 28 Iss. 6 (2016) p. 702 - 714 ISSN: 1040-3590
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/liz-goncy/1/