Psychometric properties of the Plutchik´s Violence Risk Scale on adolescent sample of Spanish-speaking population

Abstract

Objetive. The objective of the present study was the validation and scaling of the Plutchik´s Violence Risk Scale (EV) in adolescent Spanish-speaking population.

Methods. For this purpose, a sample of adolescents from El Salvador, Mexico and Spain was obtained. The sample consisted of 1035 participants with a mean age of 16.2. There were 450 adolescents from forensic population (those who committed crime) and 585 adolescents from normal population (no crime committed).

Results. The internal consistency of the EV was estimated by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and with a value of 0.782. As for validity, the factorial structures found explain a large proportion of the variance (53.385%); the convergent validity was estimated by the correlation between the dimensions found, the EV and sociodemographic, criminological and personality variables. The developed scales are presented, for the first time in a cross-cultural sample, differentiating between gender and continent.

Conclusions. Consequently, the obtained results suggest that the EV is a valid and reliable instrument within adolescent Spanish-speaking population. Furthermore, it is a quick scale, easy to apply, which is something valuable in forensic assessment.