Ethnic Identity—Teen Conflict Survey

Abstract

The Ethnic Identity—Teen Conflict Survey (EITCS), developed by Bosworth and Espelage in 1995, is a concise psychological scale designed to assess adolescent attitudes regarding their own ethnic identity and their acceptance of diversity among peers. This four-item instrument measures two key dimensions: self-ethnic pride and the propensity toward prosocial behavior and tolerance across racial and cultural differences. The scale is intended for use with youth populations and is employed in research settings focused on violence prevention, intergroup relations, and the promotion of positive prosocial behavior in schools.

Keywords

Ethnic identity, diversity, conflict resolution, adolescent attitudes, prosocial behavior, tolerance, self-pride, psychological scale, youth research.

Authors

Bosworth K., Espelage D.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Ethnic Identity—Teen Conflict Survey is to quickly gauge an adolescent’s sense of belonging and pride related to their racial or cultural group, alongside their willingness to interact positively and acceptingly with individuals from different backgrounds. It serves as a brief screening tool for researchers examining factors that mitigate conflict and promote inclusive school environments.

This instrument was compiled as part of a larger federal initiative. It can be found on page 105 of the comprehensive resource, Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools, published by the CDC. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf.

Construct

The scale measures an underlying construct related to Social Tolerance and Ethnic Pride. This construct has two interwoven components. The first component, Ethnic Pride, is assessed by the item focusing on being proud to be a member of one’s racial/cultural group. The second, and broader component, is Respect for Diversity and Interpersonal Acceptance, which involves the individual’s reported willingness to be accepting of and helpful toward others, irrespective of their race, culture, or religion.

A higher score on the EITCS reflects a greater degree of positive ethnic identity development and a stronger inclination toward inclusive and non-conflictual social interactions, aligning with goals related to reducing violence and bullying behavior in youth settings.

Validity

Specific empirical data regarding the validity (e.g., content validity, construct validity, criterion validity) of the Ethnic Identity—Teen Conflict Survey were not detailed in the available source documentation. Given its inclusion in a compendium focused on violence prevention, it is implied that the items possess face validity concerning attitudes related to intergroup conflict and acceptance. However, formal documentation supporting its comprehensive psychometric validity requires consultation of external studies that may have utilized or validated this specific four-item measure.

Reliability

Information concerning the reliability of the scale, such as measures of internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s Alpha) or test-retest reliability, was not provided in the original source material. Because the instrument is very brief (only four items), researchers must exercise caution and ideally calculate the reliability of the scale within their specific sample before drawing definitive conclusions from the summed score.

Factor Analysis

No formal factor analysis results for the four items of the Ethnic Identity—Teen Conflict Survey were presented in the source description. Although the items appear to load onto a single dimension of general tolerance and pride, a proper factor analysis would be necessary to confirm if the items function as a unitary scale or if they separate into distinct factors representing ethnic pride versus general acceptance of diversity.

Instrument

Test Type: Attitudinal Self-Report Psychological Scale

Format: Brief, fixed-choice response format (5-point Likert scale)

Language Available: English (as presented in the source material)

Population Group: Youth/Adolescents

Age Group: Teenagers (Adolescents)

Population Details: Originally developed for use in studies pertaining to conflict and violence among youth populations, often within school settings.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate the frequency with which they would make the listed statements using a 5-point scale. Scoring is summative, ranging from 4 to 20. Point values are assigned as follows:

• Never = 1
• Seldom = 2
• Sometimes = 3
• Often = 4
• Always = 5

Higher total scores indicate a more positive orientation toward ethnic identity and a greater respect for diversity.

Keywords

Intergroup relations, tolerance, diversity attitudes, youth violence prevention, school psychology, self-concept, cultural pride, adolescent development.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source documentation.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not specified in source documentation.

Correspondence Address: This instrument was developed when the authors were affiliated with the Center for Adolescent Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was developed in 1995. The source material indicates that the instrument was unpublished at the time of its inclusion in the CDC compendium. Researchers must contact the authors (K. Bosworth and D. Espelage) or the institutional repository (Center for Adolescent Studies, Indiana University) to determine current usage permissions and associated fees, if any.

Reference’s

• Bosworth K, Espelage D. Teen Conflict Survey. Bloomington, IN: Center for Adolescent Studies, Indiana University, 1995. (Unpublished)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools. Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2005. (The EITCS is located on page 105.)

Items of the Ethnic Identity—Teen Conflict Survey

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

How often would you make the following statements?

Never Seldom Sometimes Often Always

1. I am proud to be a member of my racial/cultural group.
2. I am accepting of others regardless of their race, culture, or religion.
3. I would help someone regardless of their race.
4. I can get along well with most people.