Analysis

The “Communities That Care Youth Survey” is an assessment tool adapted for use in Australia, designed to capture the views and experiences of young people regarding their health and well-being. The survey seeks to collect data on various aspects of young people’s lives, including school life, family and peer relationships, substance use, and engagement in delinquent behaviors. The information derived from the survey helps identify risk and protective factors that influence youth development. In this way, communities can design and implement effective prevention strategies and interventions that promote positive youth development and reduce the likelihood of health and behavioral problems.

Objective

The objective of this questionnaire is to provide communities with accurate and reliable data on the health, well-being, and behaviors of young people. By collecting these data, the survey aims to identify the risk and protective factors that affect youth development. This information is critical for developing and implementing prevention strategies and interventions that are designed to strengthen positive development, promote mental and physical health, and reduce the occurrence of problems such as substance use and delinquent behaviors. The ultimate purpose is to better equip communities to support their young people, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for their growth.

Calibration

The calibration of the Communities That Care Youth Survey is an important process that ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data collected. It involves evaluating and adapting the questions to ensure they are appropriate for the target population—young people in Australia.
The calibration process includes the following steps:
Translation and Cultural Adaptation: The questions are translated and culturally adapted to be understandable and relevant to Australian youth, taking into account cultural differences and local language.
Pilot Testing: The questionnaire is administered to a small group of young people to identify any issues with understanding or interpreting the questions.
Reliability Analysis: The internal consistency of the questionnaire is evaluated, assessing whether responses to similar questions are consistent.
Validity Analysis: The survey is examined to determine whether it truly measures the variables it is intended to measure, such as risk and protective factors.
Statistical Processing: Statistical analyses are conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the items. This may include factor analysis and variance analysis.
Final Revision: Based on the results of pilot testing and statistical analyses, the questionnaire is revised and finalized.
Through this process, calibration ensures that the Communities That Care Youth Survey is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the health and well-being of young people in Australia.

Reference

Contact: Professor John Toumbourou, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Communities That Care Ltd (Australia).