Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency scale

The Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency Scale (LVDS) is a psychological assessment tool used to measure an individuals risk for violent and delinquent behavior. The scale is based on the principles of psychometric theory and is designed to assess an individuals current level of risk for engaging in violent and/or delinquent behavior. The scale consists of a series of questions that are designed to assess an individuals attitude, beliefs, and behaviors related to violence and delinquency. The questions are divided into four categories: attitude towards violence, attitude towards delinquency, beliefs about violence, and beliefs about delinquency. Each category contains a series of items that are rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least likely and 5 being the most likely. The total score is then calculated by summing the individual ratings for each item. The total score provides a measure of an individuals risk for engaging in violent and/or delinquent behavior. The LVDS can be used in a variety of settings, including clinical, educational, and correctional settings. The scale is useful for identifying individuals who are at an increased risk for engaging in violent and/or delinquent behavior, and can be used to inform interventions and treatment plans.
Within the next month‚ how likely is it that you will…
1. Get into a physical fight?
2. Carry a gun?
3. Carry a knife?
4. Get injured in a fight?
5. Injure someone else in a fight?
6. Drink an alcoholic beverage?
7. Get drunk?
8. Get high on drugs?
9. Have sexual intercourse?
 
The Likelihood of Violence and Delinquency Scale measures perceived likelihood of engaging in violence and other high risk behaviors.
 
This instrument can be found on pages 118-119 of Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes‚ Behaviors‚ and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools‚ available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf
 
Age Range: 12 through 16 years old
 
Point values are assigned as follows:
Very likely = 4
Somewhat likely = 3
Not very likely = 2
Not at all likely = 1
Point values are summed for each respondent and divided by the number of items. The intended range of
scores is 1-4‚ with a higher score indicating a greater likelihood for violent or other delinquent
 
 

Flewelling RL‚ Paschall MJ‚ Ringwalt CL. SAGE Baseline Survey. Research Triangle Park‚ NC:

Research Tr Other Reference(s):     Dahlberg‚ L. L.‚ Toal‚ S. B.‚ & Behrens‚ C. B. (1998). Measuring violence-related attitudes‚ beliefs‚ and behaviors among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Atlanta‚ GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‚ National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Other:           Scale is published in Dahlberg‚ Toal‚ & Behrens (1998).
 
Organization: Research Triangle Institute
Address:        P.O. BOX 12194
City:    Research Triangle Park
State: NC
Zip:     27709-2194
Phone:          (866) 784-1958
E-mail:          [email protected]
Website:       http://www.rti.org
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