Psychometric Development of an Instrument Measuring Academic Social Bullying in Health Sciences Higher Education: Content and Construct Validation

Written by Janice M. Beitz & Claudia A. Beckmann

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr. 2022.12.02.1203

Abstract

Background: Academic social bullying is receiving greater attention in the literature, but much research focuses on incivility not bullying. While health sciences and nursing clinical workplace bullying have been studied, higher education bullying has not been thoroughly scrutinized.

Objective: The aim of this study was to further develop and psychometrically test a de novo instrument on academic social bullying with health sciences educators for content and construct validation.

Methods: Survey design coupled with psychometric processes of instrument development were utilized. The study used a 40-item instrument and definition of academic social bullying developed in two previous studies to survey health sciences faculty from December2020 to March 2021 for testing of content and construct validity. For internal reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was evaluated. Open-ended questions asked about bullying experiences.

Results: Summary aggregate data were analyzed. Over 400 respondents represented various health sciences disciplines and academic ranks. Over 50% had witnessed or experienced academic social bullying. Factor analysis identified two factors: bullying behaviors (overt and covert) and poor administrative response/bullying facilitation/ organizational characteristics explaining nearly 56 percent of variance. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.97 for
the total instrument. For content validity, most items were rated as strongly agree or agree for appropriateness (4 and above on a scale of 1 to 5). Overall scale mean was 4.16. The two-factor result differed from a previous study with nurse educators with a three-factor model but aligned with original theoretical scale construction of bullying behaviors and organizational characteristics.

Conclusions: The Academic Social Bullying Scale is valid and reliable when tested with health sciences educators and can be used to assess bullying in higher education. Academic social bullying is a significant issue for health sciences faculty. The new instrument makes it possible to assess academic social bullying so meaningful interventions and policies can be constructed.

Keywords: Academic social bullying; instrument development; health sciences faculty, incivility