The Nonviolent Communication Behaviors Scale: Cross-Cultural Validity and Association with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress.
Research on Social Work Practice, 2023
Fung, H. W., Chau, A. K. C., Yuan, G. F., Liu, C., & Lam, S. K. K.
DOI : 10.1177/10497315231221969
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Abstract: This study examined the cross-cultural validity of non-violent communication (NVC) behaviors measured using the Non-Violent Communication Behavior Scale (NVCBS) and explored their potential relationship with post-traumatic stress (PTS). Data from two samples were analyzed (N = 412 Chinese adults and N = 283 English-speaking adults). The NVCBS questionnaire was reported to have three main dimensions; “self-connection”, “authentic self-expression” and “empathic listening”. The NVCBS questionnaire showed satisfactory internal consistency and convergent validity, and was negatively associated with the PTS questionnaire. These results were replicated in both samples.
Comment: The authors look at the correlation of NVCBS scores with questionnaires for betrayal trauma, benevolence, self-judgment, post-traumatic syndrome, interpersonal skills and leadership.
As the authors point out in their discussion, this study has several limitations. Firstly, it relied on self-report data, and PTS could not be confirmed by diagnostic interviews. Secondly, the use of online samples with a self-selection bias may limit the generalizability of the results, as those who agree to participate in the study can be assumed to have commonalities with those who decline. Thirdly, childhood trauma was reported retrospectively, which may lead to recall bias. Fourthly, as the questionnaire was administered only once, causal relationships between variables cannot be shown statistically, only correlations. Fifthly, the two samples presented different socio-cultural backgrounds and were not matched in any way.
Perspective: This study needs to be supplemented by more implicit tests, and it would be interesting to see whether this NVCBS questionnaire gives different results in a CNV-trained sample, compared with a control group.