Developing a Peer Relationship Scale for Adolescents: a validity and reliability study

BACKGROUND: This study aims to develop a valid and reliable tool to measure adolescents’ peer relationships. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: The research was carried out with 543 adolescents aged 11-18 studying in secondary schools and high schools. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct validity of the scale. Based on the results of the exploratory factor analysis, a structure consisting of four sub-dimensions and 29 items was obtained. The sub-dimensions of the scale are named as intimacy, popularity, trust, and insightfulness. RESULTS: As a result of the confirmatory factor analysis, the model fit indices were found to have a good fit. Significant relationships were found with the Peer Support Scale and the Stirling Children’s Well-being Scale during the analysis of the scale’s criterion validity. Cronbach’s α internal consistency, split half reliability, and the test-retest method were used to assess the reliability of the scale. Cronbach’s α internal consistency coefficient for the total score was found to be .93, the split-half reliability was .85, and the test-retest reliability value was .82. CONCLUSIONS: It can be inferred that the scale, which was developed based on the results obtained from validity and reliability studies, is a measurement tool that can be used in studies involving adolescents studying at the level of secondary and high school.