Analysis

The Self-Reported Delinquency – Problem Behavior Frequency Scale is designed to measure the frequency of harmful or delinquent behaviors reported by the participants themselves. This scale is often used in research concerning juvenile delinquency, risk behaviors, and problem behaviors more generally.

Purpose

The main purpose of the scale is to assess the extent and frequency of problematic behaviors reported by the participants and to understand the relationship between the occurrence of these behaviors and other psychological or social parameters.

Calibration

The scale includes a series of statements or questions about behaviors that may be considered problematic, delinquent, or risky. Participants are asked to assess how often they engage in these behaviors using a Likert scale or another type of frequency scale. Typically, the scales range from 1 (never) to 5 or 7 (very often).

References

Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. L. (1977). Problem Behavior and Psychosocial Development: A Longitudinal Study of Youth. Academic Press.
Elliott, D. S., & Ageton, S. S. (1980). Reconciling Self-Report and Official Measures of Criminality. In The Sociology of Crime and Delinquency (pp. 30-51). Cambridge University Press.
Moffitt, T. E. (1993). Adolescent-Limited and Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior: A Developmental Taxonomy. Psychological Review, 100(4), 674-701.
Farrington, D. P. (1995). The Development of Offending and Antisocial Behaviour from Childhood: Key Findings from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development. Cambridge University Press.
Klaus, M., & Hodge, C. (1999). Self-Reported Delinquency and Adolescent Antisocial Behavior: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Adolescent Research, 14(1), 66-89.