Description

The Sense of Safety (SOS) is an assessment tool that measures the sense of safety experienced by individuals, typically in youth populations. It focuses on subjective experiences of safety, both in immediate environments (such as home or school) and in broader contexts (neighborhood, community). The SOS scale assesses feelings of safety or anxiety, as well as the perception of threats from physical or social factors.

Data Analysis and Use

Data analysis from the SOS can include:

Scoring: Questions are typically evaluated on a Likert scale, where individuals rate their sense of safety in various situations. Higher scores indicate a greater sense of safety.

Descriptive Statistics: Mean and standard deviation are used to determine the overall sense of safety in a population.

Correlation: The correlation between the sense of safety and factors such as age, gender, or socioeconomic conditions is examined.

Comparative Analysis: Comparisons between different groups (e.g., boys and girls or different social classes) can reveal differences in the sense of safety.

Objective

The objective of the Sense of Safety is to understand how young people and other individuals perceive safety in their environments, identify factors that enhance or reduce the sense of safety, and provide data for improving mental and social well-being through policies or intervention programs.

Calibration

Calibration of the Sense of Safety involves the process of adjusting the tool for use in different populations. This is achieved through:

Cross-Cultural Studies: The SOS scale is tested in various cultural contexts to ensure it is appropriate and accurate.

Reliability Analysis: Techniques such as Cronbach’s alpha are used to ensure that the questions are consistent and reliably measure the sense of safety.

Validity Testing: It is checked whether the SOS scale reflects the real experiences of participants regarding safety in their environment.

References

Smith, P. K., & Slater, L. (2003). Sense of Safety in Adolescence: A Review of Measurement Tools. Journal of Youth Studies, 6(2), 125-138.

Williams, D. R., & Kawachi, I. (1999). Social Safety and Community Health. Public Health Reports, 114(4), 399-412.

Staub, E. (2003). The Psychology of Safety and Threat: Understanding Youth Responses. Journal of Social Issues, 59(2), 243-257.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Global Perspectives on Youth Safety. WHO Report on Violence and Youth, Geneva: World Health Organization.