Turkish Validation of Assessment of Bullying Experiences Questionnaire for Neurodivergent Youth.

PURPOSE: Bullying is an important public health concern, particularly for neurodivergent youth who are at heightened risk for peer victimization. The aim of this study was to adapt the Assessment of Bullying Experiences (ABE) Questionnaire into Turkish and to evaluate its psychometric properties among neurodivergent youth.

METHODS

The sample included 47 typically developing controls, 89 adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 57 autistic individuals, and 58 with co-occurring autism and ADHD. Participants were recruited from three cities in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, the Turkish adaptation of the ABE, and the Conners Parent Rating Scale. Researchers administered the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, reliability analyses, and group comparison tests.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original four-factor structure (χ²/df = 0.48, RMSEA = 0.005, CFI = 0.999, TLI = 0.998, GFI = 0.984, AGFI = 0.980, SRMR = 0.064). Internal consistency analyses demonstrated strong reliability across all subscales: Relational/Verbal Bullying (α = 0.903), Physical Bullying (α = 0.778), Cyberbullying (α = 0.784), Bullying Related to Personal Features (α = 0.835), and the total scale (α = 0.936). Item analyses further supported the measure's robustness.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the findings indicate that the Turkish version of the ABE is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing bullying victimization among neurodivergent youth, and it offers an important tool for research and clinical practice in Türkiye.