The Australian Self-report Delinquency Scale: A revision

ObjectivesThe Australian Self-Reported Delinquency Scale has been a widely adopted measure of delinquency, yet requires updating to ensure appropriate content coverage and consistency with contemporary language. The aim of this research was to revise the Australian Self-Reported Delinquency Scale and derive a measure of contemporary delinquent behaviour among Australian adolescents with satisfactory psychometric properties. MethodIn Study 1, we conducted focus groups with 16 adolescents and 20 professionals (youth workers, police officers, school teachers/counsellors) in Canberra to update items included in the measure. Contents of the scale were revised accordingly, yielding a 56-item checklist of contemporary delinquent activities. In Study 2, 312 students (57.7% male, aged 13-17) from government and independent schools in Canberra completed the 56-item Delinquency Checklist. ResultsSubsequent item analysis and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in a 30-item Australian Self-Reported Delinquency Scale-Revised with eight subscales (Driving/Vehicle, Theft, Cheat, Disturb, Fight, Drugs) including two new subscales (Alcohol and Media), with evidence of reliability and validity. ConclusionsThe revision of the Australian Self-Reported Delinquency Scale-Revised, complemented by a 56-item Delinquency Checklist, may prove useful in educational, rehabilitation, and research settings, and aid in evaluating clinical interventions with increased specificity.