Adaptation of Multi-dimensional Teacher Victimization Scale to Turkish, and an investigation of teachers' perception of victimization: A mixed model study

The aim of this study is to adapt the Multidimensional Teacher Victimization Scale developed by Chunyan Yang et al. into Turkish and to examine the perceptions of teachers about victimization and the relationship between victimization and anxiety levels. In this research, descriptive pattern model, one of the mixed model research methods, was used. The universe of scale adaptation study which is made with methodological process consists of 435 teachers working in secondary and high schools in Hilvan district of Şanlıurfa. Sampling method was not used because it was aimed to reach the whole universe. The study group of the focus group interview conducted to examine the perceptions of victimization of the teachers consisted of 16 teachers who were determined by purposive sampling method. Correlational research method was used to examine the relationship between teachers' victimization and anxiety levels. As data collection tools in the research; Personal Information Form, Multidimensional Teacher Victimization Scale, Emotional Violence Exposure Scale, Beck Anxiety Scale were used. In the validity analysis of the Multidimensional Teacher Victimization Scale; language equivalence was determined to be r=0,86(p<0,01), criterion validity was r=0,64(p<0,01). As a result of the EFA for structure validity, a six-factor structure that explains 71,2% of the total variance was obtained. The model fit of this resulting structure was tested with CFA and the fit indexes (χ2/sd=1.5, RMSEA =0,074, RMR=0,083, GFI=0,86, AGFI=0,92, NFI=0,92, NNFI=0,97, IFI=0,97, CFI=0,97, RFI=0,91) are determined to be good. In reliability analysis; internal consistency coefficient was determined as α=.93, test-retest reliability r=0,93(p<0,01), two half reliability r=0,83(p<0,01). It was determined that the total correlation values of the item ranged between r=0,48 and r=0,71 According to these findings, it was concluded that the Multidimensional Teacher Victimization Scale, which was adapted to Turkish, was a valid and reliable measurement tool in determining the victimization levels of middle and high school teachers. In the focus group interviews, ıt was defined that the teachers defined the unwanted student behavior as "non-compliance with school and class rules" (26,6%), experienced the most "emotional and verbal violence" (35,2%) and mostly "perceived loss of professional reputation" (24%). In the study conducted for the general purposes of the research, in a positive way significant relationship was found between teachers' victimization and anxiety levels. In the study conducted for the sub-objectives of the research, in a positive way significant relationship was found between the level of teachers' victimization and their educational status, their school level, their professional satisfaction, their relationship with students and their exposure to violence. As a result; in subsequent studies, it is considered that the development of a measurement tool with psychometric properties revealed in this research which measures all the dimensions the severity-victimization of one of every three teachers and the concept of victimization among the triggering factors of anxiety in teachers should be examined too.