Reliability and Validity of a Novel Measure of Nonviolent Communication Behaviors

• Published in: Research on social work practice Vol. 33; no. 7; pp. 790 - 797
• Main Authors: Cheung, Cherry T.Y., Cheng, Clement Man-Him, Lam, Stanley Kam Ki, Ling, Henry Wai-Hang, Lau, Kim Ling, Hung, Suet Lin, Fung, Hong Wang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-10-2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Behavior; Communication; Emotions; Empathy; Indexes; Measures; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial well being; Quantitative psychology; Self expression; Self report; Test-Retest reliability; Well being; Young adults; empathy; nonviolent communication (NVC); mental health; validation; reliability
• ISSN: 1049-7315; 1552-7581
• DOI: 10.1177/10497315221128595

Purpose: Nonviolent communication (NVC) has been increasingly recognized as a potentially beneficial approach that could promote empathy, resolve conflicts, and improve psychosocial well-being. No validated measure is available to assess or quantify NVC-specific characteristics or behaviors. This paper describes the development and pilot psychometric evaluation of a self-report measure for assessing behaviors characteristic of NVC (e.g., awareness of feelings, honest self-expression). Method: We analyzed data in an online convenience sample of young adults (N = 205). Results: The 7-item Nonviolent Communication Behaviors Scale (NVCBS) was found to have satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.789 to 0.810), good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.781) and a single-factor structure. The NVCBS was also positively correlated with empathy while negatively correlated with negative beliefs about emotions, demonstrating its construct validity. Discussion: The study provides a reliable and valid measure of NVC behaviors which can facilitate future studies on NVC. Directions for future research are discussed.