The purpose of this study was to develop a short self-report instrument to assess the level of life-skills development of juvenile offenders. The Life-Skills Development Scale-Juvenile Form (LSDS-JF) is a self-report instrument designed to assess juvenile offenders' perceptions of their own life-skills development. The Life-Skills Model is a comprehensive social competence model based on a developmental rationale in which life-skills are defined as those skills (other than academic skills) which are necessary for effective living. | The LSDS-JF is comprised of four subscales including interpersonal communications/human relations skills, problem-solving/decision-making skills, physical fitness/health maintenance skills, and identity development/purpose-in-life skills.