An improved measure for the Strength of Social Gender Norms (SSGN) developed for adolescents in Uttar Pradesh, India

Social norms can frame how typical and appropriate choices available to people are. Despite the important role of both descriptive and injunctive norms for intervention, few measures distinguish these perceptions. Fewer still are developed for settings where behaviorally-informed development interventions are implemented. This study develops the Strength of Social Gender Norms (SSGN) scale with 399 adolescents aged 14-17 years, to address gaps in measuring social norms that govern women’s employment in India. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a good two-factor structure. Psychometric analyses satisfied tests for internal consistency, differentiated it from attitudes, and found moderate test-retest reliability. The measure distinguishes different aspects of social norms among low-income Indian adolescents, a population that is neglected in psychology research at large.