Development of the multidimensional peer victimization scale–revised (MPVS-R) and the multidimensional peer bullying scale (MPVS-RB)

Peer victimization is a frequent occurrence for many adolescents; however, some of the psychometric properties of self-report scales assessing these experiences remain unclear. Furthermore, with an increase in access to technology, electronic aggression should also be considered. The study examined the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS, Mynard & Joseph, 2000), and developed versions to include the assessment of electronic aggression according to whether the adolescent was the target or perpetrator of peer victimization. Three hundred and 71 (191 girls and 180 boys Mage = 13 years 4 months, SDage= 1 year 2 months) adolescents in the UK completed the MPVS including 5 newly developed items assessing electronic aggression, a version of the MPVS designed to assess victimization perpetration, and a measure of self-esteem. Confirmatory factor analyses yielded a five-factor structure comprising: Physical, social manipulation, verbal, attacks on property, and electronic for both scales. Convergent validity was established through negative associations between the victimization scales and self-esteem. Sex differences also emerged. One revised scale and one new scale are subsequently proposed: The Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale - Revised (MPVS-R) and the Multidimensional Peer Bullying Scale (MPVS-RB)

The initial measurement structure of the Home Drinking Assessment Scale (HDAS)

Aims: To evaluate the initial psychometric properties of a novel Home Drinking Assessment Scale (HDAS). Participants: Five-hundred and twenty-five (58% female) participants recruited from the internet address book of an English University. This also included a sub-sample (6%) recruited from Twitter and Facebook contacts. Design and methods: Internet-based survey analysed using a two-stage factor analysis protocol and internal consistency(IC) assessment. Findings: A power calculation was made on the basis of pilot data and this established that 317 interviewees were required to test the reliability of the HDAS. The items comprising the HDAS were found to offer the best fit to data when they comprised two-subscales: (1) emotional reasons for home drinking (5-items) and (2) practical reasons for home drinking (3-items). Subscale 1 was also found to have acceptable IC whereas subscale 2 exhibited sub-optimal IC characteristics. Conclusions: This initial study indicates that the HDAS has promise as a measure of the individuals' rationale for home drinking. Subscale 1, may usefully be used in future research whereas the IC characteristics of subscale 2 suggests that further development is required, including the evaluation of additional items

Information security collaboration formation in organisations

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by The Institution of Engineering and Technology in IET Information Security, available online: https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-ifs.2017.0257 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Collaboration between employees in the domain of information security efficiently mitigates the effect of information security attacks on organisations. Collaboration means working together to do or to fulfil a shared goal, the target of which in this paper is the protection of the information assets in organisations. Information Security Collaboration (ISC) aims to aggregate the employees’ contribution against information security threats. This study clarifies how ISC is to be developed and how it helps to reduce the effect of attacks. The socialisation of collaboration in the domain of information security applies two essential theories: Social Bond Theory (SBT) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The results of the data analysis revealed that personal norms, involvement, and commitment significantly influence the employees’ attitude towards ISC intention. However, contrary to our expectation, attachment does not influence the attitude of employees towards ISC. In addition, attitudes towards ISC, perceived behavioural control, and personal norms significantly affect the intention towards ISC. The findings also show that the intention for ISC and organisational support positively influence ISC, but that trust does not significantly affect ISC behaviour.Published versio

Bullying behaviors and victimization experiences among adolescent students: the role of resilience

The role of resilience in the relationship between bullying behaviours, victimisation experiences, and self-efficacy was examined. Three hundred and 93 (191 male, 202 female) adolescents (mean age = 15.88, SD = .64) from schools in Coimbatore, India completed scales to assess bullying behaviours and victimisation experiences, resilience, and self-efficacy. Multigroup SEM, with separate groups created according to participant sex, revealed that resilience mediated the relationship between bullying behaviours and self-efficacy in males. Males engaged in bullying behaviours and experienced victimisation more frequently than females. The findings of the study have implication for designing intervention programs to enhance resilience among adolescents and young adults to enable them to manage bullying behaviours

A Critical Examination of the Environmental Mastery Scale

The Psychological well being Inventory (PWBI) is a multidimensional instrument that has enjoyed widespread use in a variety of research initiatives, from small-scale studies to national surveys. Recent empirical investigation of the measure has raised questions about its validity. This study examines the factorial validity of the Environmental Mastery Scale of the PWBI, a construct that receives much attention in mental health research. The results of a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the unidimensional factor structure of the measure. Correlated uniqueness models were also examined, which did not reveal evidence of a method effect. There are problems with the measure at the item level, which also raises significant questions about the underlying theory of its parent measure.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61157/1/EMS.pd

The development of a short-form of the teacher rating of school adjustment

United Kingdom serve as participants. The children complete self-rated scales of school adjust-ment, and their teachers complete the Teacher Rating Scale of School Adjustment (TRSSA) twice across a 1-year period. At Time 1, children’s performance on Standardized Achievement Tests are available for children in School Year 2. An exploratory factor analysis of the TRSSA at Time 1 yielded a viable short form of the scale composed of three associated factors (On-Task Classroom Involvement, Positive Orientation, and Maturity). Confirmatory factor analyses of the Short Form TRSSA yield evidence for these three factors at Time 2. The Short Form TRSSA demonstrates acceptable internal consistency and stability across time. As evidence for validity of the scale, the Short Form TRSSA is associated with children’s self-reported school adjustment and academic performance