Peer violence is a pressing issue in schools worldwide, affecting students' mental and physical well-being. In Sri Lanka, a significant step has been taken to address this challenge through the development of the Sri Lankan Early Teenagers' Violence Inventory (SLETVI). This inventory is designed to measure peer violence among adolescents aged 13-15 years and offers a culturally adapted tool that can be instrumental for educators and practitioners aiming to create safer school environments.
The Need for a Culturally Relevant Tool
Violence among adolescents has been extensively studied in Western contexts, but there is a gap in culturally relevant tools for assessing such behaviors in South Asian settings. The SLETVI was developed to fill this gap by providing a reliable and valid instrument that considers the unique cultural dynamics of Sri Lankan schools.
Development of SLETVI: A Comprehensive Approach
The development of SLETVI involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Initially, an operational definition of peer violence was established through literature reviews and focus group discussions with adolescents, teachers, and parents. This collaborative approach ensured that the inventory reflected the real-life experiences and perceptions of those directly involved in the educational environment.
- Phase I: Defined peer violence and identified violent acts through literature reviews and focus group discussions.
- Phase II: Administered the inventory to 1700 adolescents to refine its components through exploratory factor analysis.
Key Features of SLETVI
SLETVI comprises 37 items categorized into three factors: less severe violence, severe physical violence, and severe relational violence. This categorization allows educators to identify varying degrees of violence and tailor interventions accordingly. The inventory's test-retest reliability further supports its effectiveness as a tool for ongoing assessment.
Implementing SLETVI in Schools
For practitioners looking to implement SLETVI, it offers several advantages:
- Cultural Relevance: The inventory includes culturally appropriate violent acts specific to Sri Lankan schools.
- Comprehensive Assessment: It assesses both victimization and perpetration, allowing for a holistic understanding of peer violence.
- Intervention Planning: By identifying different participatory roles (e.g., pure victim, pure perpetrator), educators can design targeted intervention programs.
The Broader Impact of SLETVI
SLETVI's application extends beyond individual assessments. It can be used to identify high-risk groups within schools, facilitating early intervention strategies. Moreover, it provides valuable data for further research into peer violence trends and prevention efforts across South Asia.
Encouraging Further Research
The development of SLETVI highlights the importance of culturally adapted tools in understanding and addressing peer violence. Practitioners are encouraged to engage with this tool and consider conducting further research to enhance its applicability across diverse educational settings.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Development of the Sri Lankan Early Teenagers' Violence Inventory: An Instrument to Measure Peer Violence in Schools.
