Scale Overview
The Prothrow Self-Efficacy Scale was developed by DeJong, Spiro, Brewer-Wilson, Vince-Whitman, Prothrow-Stith, & Cross (1992). It is designed to measure Self-efficacy (educational, career, and violence avoidance). The scale is intended for use with Middle and high school age youth (adolescents).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 7 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Educational and Career Goals, Avoiding Violence.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Educational and Career Goals |
1,2,3 |
3 |
| Avoiding Violence |
4,5,6,7 |
4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 4 = Strongly Agree).
Scoring
Item scores are averaged to produce a mean score.
Total scores range from 1 to 4. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Self-Efficacy: 1 – 2
- High Self-Efficacy: 2 – 4
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.