Assessment of bullying victimization: Structure, reliability and validity of the Cuestionario de Acoso entre Iguales (CAI; Peer Bullying Questionnaire)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary evidence concerning validation of the Cuestionario de Acoso entre Iguales (CAI) [Peer Bullying Questionnaire] (Magaz, Chorot, Sandín, Santed, & Valiente, 2011). We examined the factor structure, reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of the Conductas de Acoso (CAI-CA) scale [Bullying Behaviors] in a sample of school-aged children and adolescents. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for a structure of seven uncorrelated factors which correspond to the following kinds of bullying: physical aggression, verbal aggression, direct social exclusion, indirect social exclusion, threats, cyberbullying, and aggression based on physical objects. Results provide support for factorial validity, internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. Data suggest that the CAI-CA is an appropriate assessment instrument of bullying victimization that may be a suitable tool for research and clinical purposes.