Citation

Nelson HJ, Kendall GE, Burns SK, Schonert-Reichl KA, Kane RT. BMC Public Health 2019; 19(1): e1046.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s12889-019-7375-z

PMID

31382951

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While power imbalance is now recognized as a key component of bullying, reliable and valid measurement instruments have yet to be developed. This research aimed to develop a self-report instrument that measures power imbalance as perceived by the victim of frequent aggressive behavior.

METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used (468 participants, Grade 4 to 6). This paper describes the exploratory (n = 111) and confirmatory factor analysis of the new instrument (n = 337), and assessment of reliablity and construct validity.

RESULTS: A 2-factor model represented physical and social aspects of power imbalance (n = 127: normed chi-square = 1.2, RMSEA = .04, CF1 = .993). The social factor included constructs of group and peer valued characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: This research will enhance health and education professionals understanding of power imbalance in bullying and will inform the design and evaluation of interventions to address bullying in children.

Language: en

Keywords

Bullying; Measurement; Power imabalance; Preadolescence; School health