title: Attitude to Non-Violence Scale: Validity and Practical Use.
abstract: This study used recent advances in attitude and self-perception research to develop an Attitude to Non-Violence Scale (ANVS). Participants were students from six high schools in Australia ( N = 727). Confirmatory factor analysis using within-construct and between-construct validation approaches found two positive attitude sub-scales: Cognitive (proactive understanding) and Affective (do not endorse violence), both showing convergent and discriminant validity. Scale equivalence tests found that the sub-scales were applicable to boys and girls and to junior and senior grades. Structural equation modeling found that boys had less supportive attitudes to non-violence cognitively, whereas female students in senior secondary classes had less positive attitudes to non-violence affectively. The ANVS can be easily administered to assess youth's non-violence attitudes, which may direct interventions focusing on boys' cognitive aspects while maintaining girls' positive affective attitudes toward non-violence as they mature. The positively framed instrument is suitable for education settings especially in high-risk locations where violence is prevalent.
authors.affiliation: 1 Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Rhonda G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.affiliation: 1 Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seaton
authors.affiliation: 1 Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Yeung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: bullying; mental health and violence; youth violence