The Brief Peer Conflict Scale: Psychometric Properties Among a Sample of Incarcerated Male Juvenile Offenders

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2018 Jun;62(8):2414-2429. doi: 10.1177/0306624X17719299. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Abstract

Aggression can be considered a multidimensional construct that influences various forms of antisocial behavior, including juvenile delinquency and conduct problems. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Brief Peer Conflict Scale-20 item version (PCS-20) among a Portuguese forensic sample (N = 192) of incarcerated male juvenile offenders ( M = 16.62 years; SD = 1.52 years; age range = 13-18 years). The PCS-20 demonstrated good psychometric properties in terms of its four-factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity that generally justify its use among incarcerated male youth. The findings provide additional support for the extension of the PCS-20 across different cultures, ethnic groups, and samples.

Keywords: Brief Peer Conflict Scale; aggression; assessment; juvenile delinquency; validation.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression*
  • Conflict, Psychological*
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Delinquency*
  • Male
  • Portugal
  • Prisoners*
  • Psychometrics
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*