Turkish version of the Exposure to Violence Scales: a study on validity and reliability on high school students

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Exposure to Violence Scales. Methods: Sample was comprised of 299 students who were studied in two high schools and one vocational high school. The reliability of the Turkish version of Exposure to Violence Scales was assessed computing Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal consistency and correlations of item-total score of the scales. Factor analysis for construct validity and correlations between factors and total scores of scales were measured. Results: Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal consistency of Exposure to Violence Scales were calculated as 0.91 for recent exposure to violence and 0.90 for past exposure to violence. Item-total correlation coefficients of scales were significant at the level of p<0.01. Principal component analysis revealed six factors for recent exposure to violence scale and three factors for past exposure to violence in construction validity of the scale. Positive correlation was determined between factors and total score of the scales (p<0.01). Conclusion: The Turkish version of Exposure to Violence Scales is found to be valid and reliable. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2012; 13:151-157)