Development and validation of the polyvictimization invasiveness and exploitativeness scale

Polyvictimization refers to the experience of being subjected to multiple types of victimization. While the concept is widely recognized, the definitions and categories of victimization examined in different studies can vary significantly. This inconsistency in how polyvictimization is defined and measured can undermine the scientific impact of this research area. Given the complex nature of child polyvictimization, a reevaluation of the approach is necessary.

The 3-D polyvictimization theory proposes a multiplicative hypothesis between three key concepts: 1) invasiveness, 2) exploitativeness, and 3) severity. We created structured scale measures for invasiveness and exploitativeness to improve previous assessments.

This study examined a Chinese version of the measure, which was translated from English. Expert reviewers (n = 6) evaluated the scale's face validity after developing an initial item pool. From December 2024 to February 2025, the scale was tested in two groups of adolescents from Eastern China (n1 = 495 and n2 = 461) to assess the scale's reliability and validity.

Internal consistency reliability, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent, divergent, and predictive validity were conducted to assess the scale's reliability and validity.

Internal consistency reliability was strong (Cronbach's α = 0.95; McDonald's Omega = 0.97). Factor analyses yielded a ten-item two-dimensional scale with a robust model fit (SRMR = 0.04, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99; Model chi-square: p > .05, RMSEA = 0.04). The scale has a strong correlation with established and validated measures of child polyvictimization (JVQ-R2) and shows a significant positive correlation with depression, demonstrating its predictive validity.

The Polyvictimization Invasiveness and Exploitativeness Scale (PIES) has strong psychometric properties and will be valuable for assessing interventions related to polyvictimization or conducting studies where polyvictimization is a key concept or primary outcome.