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'Understanding How Teens See Gun Violence'
USAFriday, May 1, 2026
The Gun‑X Scale is a concise, 10‑item questionnaire designed to gauge how frequently young people encounter gun fights and risky gun behaviors—both in real life and online.
Study Design
- Participants: >5,000 teens and young adults nationwide
- Data Collection Period: September 2023 – January 2024
- Method: Short survey covering real‑life encounters and online gun posts
Key Findings
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Unidimensionality | All ten items load onto a single factor: exposure to gun violence |
| Reliability | Demonstrated strong internal consistency across two independent samples |
| Discriminant Ability | Each item effectively distinguishes high‑exposure from low‑exposure individuals |
| Precision | Optimal measurement at moderate exposure levels (neither too low nor too high) |
| Concurrent Validity | Strong correlations with: • Witnessing violence • Friends who carry guns • Living in high‑risk neighborhoods |
| Distinctiveness | Minimal overlap with mental health or social support measures |
Practical Implications
- Research & Clinical Use: Provides a reliable metric for identifying youth who frequently encounter gun violence, aiding in targeted support and intervention.
- Prevention Programming: Helps tailor initiatives to the specific risks teens face, whether at school or online.
- Caution: The scale is not a diagnostic tool for determining who receives treatment; it should be used as part of a broader assessment strategy.
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