Brief Description

The Revised Subjective Victimization Scale (RSVS) is a psychometric instrument designed to measure the extent to which individuals perceive themselves as victims, regardless of the objective nature or reality of the events they have experienced. The scale assesses emotional experience, interpretations of interpersonal relations, and tendencies toward perceived personal vulnerability.

Purpose

The RSVS aims to explore the phenomenon of subjective victimization, which is associated with self-referential attitudes such as perceived injustice, rejection, or persecution. These perceptions negatively affect mental health, social relationships, and behavioral adaptation. The tool is used in both research and psychological assessment, particularly in populations with histories of trauma, social rejection, or domestic violence.

Scoring Method

The revised version of the scale consists of 20 statements rated on a five-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree). The items address themes such as feelings of injustice, social hostility, lack of protection, and personal isolation. Total and subscale scores are derived from the sum of the responses, with higher scores indicating a stronger perception of victimization.

Validity

The scale demonstrates strong construct validity, confirmed through factor analysis supporting its multidimensional structure. Convergent validity is reinforced by correlations with indicators such as anxiety, depression, paranoid ideation, and internal distress. The revised version has been validated in both clinical and non-clinical populations, enabling clear distinctions in psychological risk levels.

Reliability

The RSVS has high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha above 0.85 for the total score and satisfactory values for the subscales. Test-retest reliability confirms the stability of responses over short intervals. The tool also shows consistency across different user groups, making it suitable for use in both research and therapeutic settings.

Data Analysis and Use

Data analysis includes descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and factor analysis to confirm structure. Relationships with other variables can be examined through correlational analysis, regression, or group comparison techniques. The scale is useful in psychotherapeutic assessments to identify dysfunctional cognitive patterns and to monitor changes following intervention.

References

Miller, D. T., & Fry, R. E. (2003). The Subjective Experience of Victimization: Implications for Social Perception and Mental Health. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(3), 409–426.
Williams, T., & Smith, R. E. (2010). Measuring perceived victimization: Development and validation of the Revised Subjective Victimization Scale. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(1), 55–67.
Papadopoulou, E., & Karadimas, E. (2019). Psychometric adaptation and evaluation of the Revised Subjective Victimization Scale in the Greek population. Psychologia, 24(2), 101–120.