A questionnaire to measure factors that protect youth against stressors ofinner-city life

This study reports the development of the My Life Questionnaire (MLQ), a se lf-report measure of factors that protect inner-city youth against stressor s such as poverty, crime, and violence. An initial pool of 23 items reflect ing important protective factors was de,eloped through focus groups with in ner-city youth and clinicians working with them ill a school-based mental h ealth program. Item-total correlations and factor analysis resulted in a 12 -item measure containing three factors: avoiding negative peer influences, focusing on the future, and religious in involvement. Scores on the MLQ wer e negative correlated with behavioral problems, supporting its validity. Th e measure holds promise for use in clinical and research efforts with disad vantaged urban youth.