Psychometric Properties of the Nine-Item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire in a Brazilian General Population Sample.

Objective: The goal of the study is to adapt and examine the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the nine-item Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ-SF-9). Methods: A convenience sample of Brazilian internet users aged between 18 and 89 years (72.7% female, mean age 38.7 years ± 13.5) was recruited online from September 2018 to July 2019 (test sample = 1,525; retest sample = 237). Participants responded to the adapted version of the PIUQ-SF-9, as well as the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D-10) and sociodemographic questions. Results: A bifactor model with one general factor and three specific dimensions (obsession, neglect and control disorder) yielded the best fit indices [χ2 = 67.66, df = 15, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.048 (0.037-0.060), RMSEA p close = 0.587 and SRMR = 0.01]. McDonald's hierarchical omega coefficient was 0.76 for the general factor and varied between 0.16 and 0.33 for the specific dimensions. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.73 for the general factor and varied between 0.64 and 0.72 for the specific dimensions. The MIMIC model supported the scale's construct validity as the relationship of the predictors (age, time spent online, self-perception of problematic internet use, and depression symptoms) with the PIUQ-SF-9 factors was in line with the assumptions based on the literature. Conclusion: PIUQ-SF-9 seems to be a brief and culturally validated instrument with sound psychometric properties to be used in future studies on problematic internet use in the Brazilian population.

Association between childhood trauma, parental bonding and antisocial personality disorder in adulthood: A machine learning approach.

Childhood trauma (CT) and parental bonding (PB) have been correlated with later antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Aiming to better understand this complex interaction we analyzed the data from a cross-sectional study that evaluated 346 male inpatient cocaine users, using both traditional statistical analysis and machine learning (ML) approaches. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) were applied. We found a markedly higher prevalence of mental illness in the ASPD group. The ML method and the traditional analysis showed that emotional and physical abuse were the factors with the strongest relationship with ASPD. Also, there were discrepancies between the findings of both methods regarding physical neglect and paternal care. Although this study does not allow definitive answers in this matter, we do propose that these two methods can aid in better comprehending how multiple variables interact with each other in the development of psychological disorders.

Brazilian Portuguese translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and apparent validation of the Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This article concerns the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and apparent validation of the Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS), an instrument used to assess the psychological effects of traumatic life experiences and vicarious trauma. METHODS: This study involved literature review and evaluation of conceptual and item equivalences involving expert discussion groups focused on the existence and pertinence of the underlying theoretical concepts and corresponding items in a Brazilian context. Two translations and respective back-translations were performed during the evaluation of semantic equivalence, as well as an evaluation considering the referential and general equivalences between the original TABS and each version. Twenty-eight psychiatrists and psychologists completed a pretest. The final version was tested for reliability through the Cronbach's alpha and for verbal comprehension through the adapted verbal-numeric scale (ranging from 0 [I didn't understand anything] to 5 [I understood perfectly and I had no doubt]) in another 64 health professionals. RESULTS: The cross-cultural adaptation demonstrated high semantic equivalence for both the general (>95.0%) and the referential (>90.0%) meaning. The total Cronbach's alpha was 0.9173. All 84 items were maintained, and they favorably contributed to the internal consistency of the scale. The mean values of the adapted verbal-numeric scale for verbal comprehension obtained from health professionals varied from 4.2 to 4.9. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the TABS demonstrated high-quality conceptual, item, and semantic equivalence with the original instrument, as well as high acceptability, internal consistency, and verbal comprehension. The scale is now available for use.

Brazilian Portuguese translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and apparent validation of the Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale / Tradução para o Português brasileiro, adaptação transcultural e validação aparente da Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale

Abstract Objective This article concerns the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and apparent validation of the Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS), an instrument used to assess the psychological effects of traumatic life experiences and vicarious trauma. Methods This study involved literature review and evaluation of conceptual and item equivalences involving expert discussion groups focused on the existence and pertinence of the underlying theoretical concepts and corresponding items in a Brazilian context. Two translations and respective back-translations were performed during the evaluation of semantic equivalence, as well as an evaluation considering the referential and general equivalences between the original TABS and each version. Twenty-eight psychiatrists and psychologists completed a pretest. The final version was tested for reliability through the Cronbach's alpha and for verbal comprehension through the adapted verbal-numeric scale (ranging from 0 [I didn't understand anything] to 5 [I understood perfectly and I had no doubt]) in another 64 health professionals. Results The cross-cultural adaptation demonstrated high semantic equivalence for both the general (>95.0%) and the referential (>90.0%) meaning. The total Cronbach's alpha was 0.9173. All 84 items were maintained, and they favorably contributed to the internal consistency of the scale. The mean values of the adapted verbal-numeric scale for verbal comprehension obtained from health professionals varied from 4.2 to 4.9. Conclusion The Brazilian version of the TABS demonstrated high-quality conceptual, item, and semantic equivalence with the original instrument, as well as high acceptability, internal consistency, and verbal comprehension. The scale is now available for use.

Resumo Objetivo Este artigo se refere à tradução, adaptação transcultural e validação aparente da Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS), instrumento utilizado para avaliar os efeitos psicológicos das experiências de vida traumáticas e do trauma vicário. Métodos Este estudo envolveu uma revisão de literatura e avaliação da equivalência conceitual e dos itens, empregando grupos de discussão de especialistas, focando na existência e pertinência dos conceitos teóricos subjacentes e na correspondência dos itens dentro de um contexto brasileiro. Duas traduções e respectivas retrotraduções foram realizadas durante a avaliação da equivalência semântica, bem como foi feita uma avaliação considerando a equivalência referencial e geral entre a TABS original e cada versão. Vinte e oito psiquiatras e psicólogos completaram um pré-teste. A versão final foi testada para confiabilidade através do alfa de Cronbach e para compreensão verbal através de uma escala verbal-numérica adaptada [variando de 0 (Eu não entendi nada) a 5 (Eu entendi perfeitamente e não tive qualquer dúvida)] em outros 64 profissionais de saúde. Resultados A adaptação transcultural demonstrou alta equivalência semântica, tanto para o significado geral (>95,0%) quanto referencial (>90,0%). O alfa de Cronbach total foi de 0,9173. Todos os 84 itens foram mantidos e contribuíram favoravelmente para a consistência interna da escala. Os valores médios da escala verbal-numérica adaptada para a compreensão verbal obtidos dos profissionais de saúde variaram de 4,2 a 4,9. Conclusão A versão brasileira da TABS demonstrou equivalência conceitual, de itens e semântica de alta qualidade com o instrumento original, bem como elevada aceitabilidade, consistência interna e compreensão verbal. A escala está atualmente disponível para uso.