Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the LSI-R With Probationers.

Abstract

The Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) is an instrument used world-wide for offender risk/need assessment, and the predominant samples for the LSI-R literature were Caucasian participants. This study is the first attempt to examine the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the LSI-R with 305 probationers (269 males, 36 females) in Guangzhou, China. Factor analysis was conducted using principal component analysis. The internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach's alpha for the total and subscales. Under the cross-sectional design, technical violation (TV) was used as a dependent variable for bivariate correlations and binary logistic regression model to investigate the concurrent validity of the Chinese version of LSI-R, controlling the age. Results offered support to this instrument by sound internal consistency. Significant gender differences were apparent on the total scores, and subscales of Criminal History, Family/Marital, and Companions. Bivariate correlations and binary logistic regression analyses supported the concurrent validity of the LSI-R total score for technical violations, and the subscales of Criminal History and Education/Employment were significantly associated with technical violations, which are consistent with the LSI-R literature. Overall, the LSI-R, which has been translated into Chinese, is a reliable risk/need assessment instrument for technical violations for probationers in Guangzhou, China. Further studies with follow-up data for different offender groups are needed. Discussions about the results, implications, limitations, and further research were presented.