Reliability, validity, and response patterns of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire in a sample of adolescents in residential care

Abstract

Background

International research has been relying on data from the original study of the JVQ to support the validity of this instrument in child welfare samples. Despite the JVQ’s extensive history of research, it is important to establish its appropriateness for use in diverse populations, namely youth in residential care.

Objectives

This study sought to examine the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the self-report lifetime version of the JVQ in a sample of 116 adolescents living in Portuguese Residential Care Homes, boys and girls aged between 12 and 17 years old. With the authors’ permission, the instrument was adapted for the purpose of collecting detailed information on the chronicity, timing, and perpetration of victimization experiences. Patterns of endorsement to both screener items and follow-up questions were also analyzed.

Results

The Cronbach’s alpha value for the full JVQ was very good (0.92), whereas for most aggregates it ranged from acceptable (0.70) to good (0.82). Positive and significant correlations with psychological and trauma symptoms were found for all aggregates and for most of the individual screener items. Patterns of endorsement to victimization screeners differed according to sex. The chronicity rate was significantly higher in most screeners. Endorsement rates for most victimization screeners were lower for events occurring after placement in residential care. Peer violence was highly reported by adolescents in this sample.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the JVQ is a reliable and valid screening tool for victimization and polyvictimization among adolescents in residential care.