Constructing and Validating a Questionnaire of Factors Affecting Victimization in Cyberspace in Teenage Girls

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to constructing and validating a questionnaire of factors affecting victimization in cyberspace in teenage Girls. Methods and Materials: The research employed a mixed-methods approach, specifically an exploratory sequential design and a tool development model. Initially, in the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent girls who had experienced cybervictimization at the secondary school level, as well as their parents, in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were purposefully selected, and data saturation was achieved after interviewing eight adolescents, followed by interviews with their parents. The qualitative analysis was performed using the Colaizzi method and MaxQDA software. The factors influencing cybervictimization from the perspectives of both adolescents and parents were identified, which led to the development of an initial questionnaire for the quantitative phase. The quantitative phase used a survey method, and a sample of 384 female students from secondary schools in districts 3, 4, and 6 of Isfahan, studying in the academic year 2023-2024, was selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. After a preliminary trial with 45 students, the questionnaire was administered to the main sample to evaluate its validity and reliability. Data analysis was performed using LISREL 7 and SPSS 28 software. The content validity of the questionnaire was assessed by experts, and construct validity was determined through confirmatory factor analysis. Findings: The questionnaire showed convergent validity with the Young Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and discriminant validity with the Huebner Satisfaction with Life Scale (MSLSS). The reliability of the scale, as measured by test-retest, Cronbach's alpha, and split-half methods, was found to be 0.82, 0.93, and 0.95, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis indicated that the three-factor model had excellent fit indices (GFI = 0.67, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.080). According to confirmatory factor analysis, these three factors were labeled as intrapersonal, familial, and environmental. Conclusion: Based on the results, the developed questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the factors influencing cybervictimization in adolescent girls.