Construindo escalas de autorrelato: o que fazer? / Developing self-report scales: what to do? / Construcción de escalas de autoinforme: ¿qué hacer?

Escalas de autorrelato são comuns no cotidiano de pesquisadores, porém detalhes, que às vezes parecem de pouca importância, acabam sendo desconsiderados. Autorrelato são caracterizados pela pessoa de interesse ser a própria fonte de informação do pesquisador, assim a forma em que as possibilidades de resposta são apresentadas é de suma importância. Os formatos de resposta mais comuns são tipo Likert e as escolhas forçadas que vem ganhando popularidade nos últimos anos. Neste artigo são apresentados os elementos necessários que devem ser observados quando se constrói ou se escolhe escalas que possuam esses dois formatos de resposta. São discutidos também a quantidade de itens ou blocos necessários, as opções de resposta, polaridade dos itens, sistema de correção, bem como ao final são indicadas boas práticas na construção de itens para ambos os formatos. Dessa forma, pretende-se contribuir para a Psicologia, em especial a área de construção de instrumentos de autorrelato.(AU)

Self-report scales are common in the daily lives of researchers, however, details, which sometimes seem of little importance, can end up being disregarded. Self-reports are characterized by the person of interest being the researcher's own source of information, therefore the way in which the response possibilities are presented is of paramount importance. The most common response formats are Likert type and forced choice, which have been gaining popularity in recent years. This article presents the elements that must be observed when developing or choosing scales that have these two response formats. Also discussed are the number of items or blocks needed, the answer options, item polarity, the correction system, and good practices in the construction of items for both formats. The intention is to contribute to Psychology, especially the area of construction of self-report instruments.(AU)

Las escalas de autoinforme son habituales en el día a día de los investigadores, pero los detalles, que a veces parecen de poca importancia, acaban siendo desestimados. Los autoinformes se caracterizan porque la persona de interés es la propia fuente de información del investigador, por lo que la forma en que se presentan las posibilidades de respuesta es de suma importancia. Los formatos de respuesta más comunes son tipo Likert y las elecciones forzadas, que han ido ganando popularidad en los últimos años. Este artículo presenta los elementos necesarios que se deben observar al momento de construir o elegir escalas que tengan estos dos formatos de respuesta. También se discute la cantidad de ítems o bloques necesarios, las opciones de respuesta, la polaridad de los ítems, el sistema de corrección, así como las buenas prácticas en la construcción de ítems para ambos formatos. De esta forma, se pretende contribuir a la Psicología, especialmente al área de construcción de instrumentos de autoinforme.(AU)

Measurement properties of the Brazilian versions of Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia in individuals with shoulder pain.

PURPOSE: To verify the measurement properties of the Brazilian versions of Fear-avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) in individuals with shoulder pain. METHODS: Individuals with shoulder pain (>18 years) were included in this study. Structural validity was verified by exploratory factor analysis, which was used to identify dimensionality of the FABQ and TSK. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient(3,1) and internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha. Floor or ceiling effects were also investigated. Responsiveness was verified by effect sizes and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis identified two and one factor in the FABQ and TSK, respectively. FABQ and TSK presented moderate to good reliability and adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70). The floor effect was present in one factor of the FABQ. The FABQ and TSK showed small to moderate effect sizes and did not show adequate AUC. CONCLUSION: FABQ and TSK are multidimensional and unidimensional instruments, respectively. Those instruments presented moderate to good reliability and the responsiveness was considered to be suboptimal in individuals with shoulder pain.

Por que regulamentar o uso e acesso aos Testes Psicológicos? / Why regulate the use of and access to Psychological Tests? / ¿Por qué regular el uso y el acceso a las pruebas psicológicas?

A regulamentação da avaliação psicológica, e mais especificamente dos testes psicológicos, é motivo de preocupação e debate no cenário nacional há várias décadas. O objetivo deste artigo foi ponderar e problematizar sobre a possível ausência de regulamentação no que diz respeito ao uso e comercialização dos testes psicológicos e suas consequências para os indivíduos, sociedade e resultado da avaliação psicológica. Para isso o artigo traz um breve histórico da avaliação psicológica no Brasil, perpassando pela construção e estruturação do sistema de avaliação de testes psicológicos (Satepsi), o julgamento da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade (ADI) 3481 pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal, e ponderando acerca da necessidade, razoabilidade e adequação da regulamentação do uso e acesso aos testes psicológicos. Os autores concluem que a restrição de acesso aos testes psicológicos não possui potencial lesivo para os indivíduos, sociedade ou instrumento psicológico, mas seu acesso ou comercialização indiscriminada sim. (AU)

The regulation of psychological assessments, and more specifically of psychological tests, has been a matter of concern and debate in the national context for several decades. The aim of this article was to consider and discuss the possible lack of regulation regarding the use and commercialization of psychological tests and the consequences for individuals, society and the results of the psychological assessment. For this, the article provides a brief history of psychological assessment in Brazil, passing through the construction and structuring of the psychological test assessment system (Satepsi), the judgment of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) 3481 by the Supreme Court, and considering the need, reasonableness and adequacy of regulation of the use of and access to psychological tests. The authors conclude that the restriction of access to psychological tests is not potentially harmful for individuals, society or psychological instrument, however, open access or indiscriminate commercialization could be. (AU)

La regulación de la evaluación psicológica y, más específicamente, de los tests psicológicos, ha sido un tema de preocupación y debate en el escenario nacional durante varias décadas. El objetivo de este artículo fue considerar y discutir la posible falta de regulación sobre el uso y comercialización de tests psicológicos y sus consecuencias para los individuos, la sociedad y resultado de la evaluación psicológica. Para ello, el artículo brinda una breve historia de la evaluación psicológica en Brasil, pasando por la construcción y estructuración del sistema de evaluación de tests psicológicos (Satepsi), la sentencia de Acción Directa de Inconstitucionalidad (ADI) 3481 del Supremo Tribunal Federal, y ​​considerando la necesidad, razonabilidad y adecuación de la regulación del uso y acceso a los tests psicológicos. Los autores concluyen que la restricción del acceso a los tests psicológicos no tiene potencial dañoso para los individuos, la sociedad o el instrumento psicológico, pero sí su acceso o comercialización indiscriminada. (AU)

Validation of the Adapted Social Assessment Instrument for Liver Transplantation Candidates.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Assessment is considered a duty, as well as a part of the tasks of social workers; in addition, they have an ethical commitment to improve their working tools. This study aimed at validating the Adapted Social Assessment Instrument used in a transplant center in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for liver transplantation candidates, requiring its improvement and strengthening. METHODS: The methodology was based on both Marxian dialectics and the method of content validation. The content validation analysis was performed by 5 social workers from 3 Brazilian transplant centers. They evaluated the 5 domains of the instrument: identification, socio-demographic profile, eligibility criteria, evaluation, and social interventions. Descriptive statistics of data were performed, and qualitative analysis was associated to the participant observation. RESULTS: The 5 professionals (100%) assigned the scores 3 and 4, which have demonstrated clarity, relevance, and feasibility, pointing out suggestions for improvement, some of which were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The instrument was evaluated with an approval percentage of above 80%; therefore, the instrument is a valid measure.

Are Behavior Rating Scales Able to Identify Behavioral Changes in Preschool Children Undergoing a Dental Intervention? A Systematic Review

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the scientific evidence concerning the behavior rating scales efficiency to identify behavioral changes in preschool children undergoing dental treatment, through a systematic review. Material and Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, BVS databases and grey literature were searched. Also, a hand search of the included studies reference lists was conducted. Studies that evaluated healthy preschoolers' behavior before and after invasive dental treatments to observe behavioral changes were included. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data and analyzed the risk of bias with a tool for before-and-after studies. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated with the GRADE approach. Results: Three studies were included. The Frankl Scale and North Carolina Behavior Scale were used in these studies. Both scales were able to identify behavioral changes in preschool children undergoing a dental intervention, although two of these included studies were considered fair with a high risk of bias, and one considered good with a low risk of bias. Conclusion: Although Frankl and North Carolina behavior scales were able to identify changes in the children`s behavior during dental treatment, these findings are not supported by strong evidence. Thus, further well-designed studies are needed to confirm this evidence.

A verdade está lá fora: Adaptação e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da Escala Genérica de Crenças Conspiratórias (EGCC-Br) / The truth is out there: Adaptation and assessment of psychometric properties of the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (GCBS-Br) / La verdad está allá afuera: Adaptación y evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Genérica de Creencias Conspirativas (EGCC-Br)

Teorias conspiratórias geralmente apresentam perguntas irrespondíveis e são, em última instância, irrefutáveis. Tais crenças possuem implicações em diversos contextos em que são necessárias tomadas de decisões. Para tanto, torna-se necessário desenvolver ou adaptar medidas que auxiliem a identificação de tais crenças. Assim, este estudo propôs a adaptação da Escala Genérica sobre Crenças Conspiratórias. No primeiro estudo foi realizada a tradução e retradução do instrumento por especialistas na língua inglesa. Logo, ambas as traduções foram submetidas à análise de dois juízes para verificar a qualidade e adequação à versão original. Após ajustes, a escala foi submetida à outra análise de juízes de forma a verificar a coerência semântica e a adequação categórica dos itens. A concordância das categorias para cada item entre os juízes foi satisfatória (índice kappa de 0,75). Para o segundo estudo, buscou-se averiguar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento (N = 138). Os resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória atestaram uma nova estrutura fatorial para o modelo. Por fim, os autores sugerem tanto novos estudos para identificação de evidências de validade da adaptação quanto aplicações e intervenções, com uso da escala em futuras políticas públicas.

Conspiracy theories often pose unanswerable questions and are ultimately irrefutable. Such beliefs have implications in many contexts in which decision-making is needed. Therefore, it is necessary to develop or adapt measures that help to identify such beliefs. Thus, this work proposed the adaptation of the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale. For the first study, translation and retranslation of the instrument were conducted by specialists in the English language. Both translations were submitted to the analysis of raters to verify the quality and adequacy to the original version. After adjustments, the scale was submitted to the analysis of raters in order to verify items' semantic coher-ence and categorical adequacy. For each item, the agreement for the categories among raters was satisfactory (kappa index of 0.75). The second study intended to ascertain the psychometric properties of the instrument (N = 138). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis proposed a new factorial structure for the model. Finally, new studies were suggested to gather evidence for the validity of this adaptation, as well as applications and interventions using the scale in future public policies.

Las teorías de conspiración con frecuencia plantean preguntas sin respuesta y, en última instancia, son irrefutables. Tales creencias tienen implicaciones en diversos contextos donde es necesario tomar decisiones. Para ello, es nece-sario desarrollar o adaptar medidas que ayuden a identificar esas creencias. Así, este estudio propuso la adaptación de la Escala Genérica sobre Creencias Conspirativas. En el primer estudio se realizó la traducción y retraducción del instrumento por especialistas en lengua inglesa. Por lo tanto, ambas traduc-ciones fueron sometidas al análisis de dos jueces para verificar la calidad y adecuación a la versión original. Después de ajustes, la escala fue sometida al otro análisis de jueces para verificar la coherencia semántica y la adecuación categórica de los ítems. La concordancia de las categorías para cada ítem entre los jueces fue satisfactoria (índice kappa de 0,75). Para el segundo estudio, se buscó averiguar las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento (N = 138). Los resultados del análisis factorial confirmatorio propusieron una nueva estruc-tura factorial para el modelo. Por último, los autores sugieren que nuevos estudios para identificar evidencias de validez de la adaptación, así como aplicaciones e intervenciones con uso de la escala en futuras políticas públicas.

Semantic validation of the short versions of the Empathy-Systemizing Quotient Scales.

OBJECTIVE: to perform the semantic validation of the short versions of the Empathy-Systemizing Quotient Scales, intended to measure the empathetic and systemizing profiles of individuals. The scales originated in Cambridge and were validated in Portugal, and were assessed for their psychometric properties. METHOD: methodological study included the scales' semantic validation (content validity) and verification of their psychometric properties (internal consistency). Five judges participated in the semantic validation. The Content Validity Index was calculated, a pretest was conducted with 18 undergraduate nursing students, and, finally, the scales were applied to a sample. RESULTS: the sample was composed of 215 undergraduate nursing students, 186 (86.51%) of whom were women aged 21 years old, on average. The scales presented good internal consistency with global Cronbach's alphas equal to 0.83 and 0.79 for the Empathy Quotient and the Systemizing Quotient, respectively. Correlations between the scales and subscales of the Empathy Quotient and Systemizing Quotient were all positive and significant according to the Pearson correlation coefficient. CONCLUSION: the scales are reliable and valid to measure the empathetic and systemizing profile of undergraduate nursing students and the final version was named "versões curtas das Escalas de Medição do Quociente de Empatia/Sistematização - Brasil" [short versions of the Empathy-Systemizing Quotient Scales - Brazil].

Inovação em serviços de saúde a partir do Teste Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) associado à análise de redes sociais (ARS) / Innovation in health services from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test (MBTI®) associated with the social network analysis (SNA) / Innovación en los servicios de salud a partir del Test Myers-Briggs Type Indicador (MBTI®) asociado al análisis de redes sociales (ARS)

A inovação figura como aspecto relevante para organizações uma vez que contribui para o melhor desempenho e para os atendimentos às demandas constantes e crescentes da sociedade moderna. O inventário Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) apresenta-se como ferramenta com potencial para a identificação de indivíduos inovadores em organizações. Este estudo tem por objetivo identificar os tipos psicológicos de profissionais com potencial para inovação que trabalham na área da saúde e o posicionamento dos mesmos dentro de suas redes sociais organizacionais. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário estruturado aplicado a 37 profissionais em uma unidade de saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro, e transferidos para dois softwares - Ucinet e MBTI versão Inspiira 1. Os resultados revelaram que alguns dos indivíduos identificados como centrais para o processo de inovação, apresentaram a dimensão Intuição (N), que é apontada pela literatura como indicadora de indivíduos que têm uma maior propensão a gerar ideias inovadoras. O inventário MBTI e sua verificação por meio da análise de redes sociais (ARS) mostraram-se promissores para identificação de indivíduos inovadores e para proporcionar o seu melhor aproveitamento dentro das organizações.(AU)

The innovation is a relevant aspect for organizations insofar as it contributes to better performance and to satisfy the constant and growing demands of modern society. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) test is a tool which has potential for identifying innovative individuals within organizations. This study aims to identify psychological types of professionals which have potential for innovation, working in health care and their status on organizational social networks. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire applied to 37 professionals in a healthcare center in the city of Rio de Janeiro and then transferred to two softwares - Ucinet and MBTI version 1.0 - Inspiira.The results showed that individuals identified as central to the innovation process presented the Intuition dimension (N), pointed by literature on this subject as an indicator of individuals who have a higher propensity to generate innovative ideas. The MBTI inventory and its verification through social network analysis (SNA) showed opportune to identify innovative individuals and to provide their best use within organizations.

La innovación se presenta como un aspecto pertinente para las organizaciones ya que esta contribuye al mejor desempeño y atención a las demandas constantes y crecientes de la sociedad moderna. El inventario Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) ha sido identificado como una herramienta para el reconocimiento de individuos innovadores en organizaciones. Este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar a los tipos psicológicos de los profesionales de salud con potencial innovador y el posicionamiento de los mismos en sus redes sociales. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de un cuestionario estructurado y aplicado a 37 profesionales en un centro de salud de la ciudad de Río de Janeiro. Fueran después insertados en dos softwares - Ucinet y MBTI versión Inspiira 1. Los resultados mostraron que algunos de los individuos identificados como elementos centrales en el proceso de innovación tenían la dimensión de la Intuición (N) señalada como un indicador de personas que tienen una mayor propensión a generar ideas innovadoras. El inventario MBTI y su verificación a través del análisis de redes sociales (ARS) se demostraron prometedores para identificación de personas innovadoras y el mejor empleo de sus capacidades en las organizaciones.

Psychometric properties of health related quality of life measures in acute coronary syndrome patients: a systematic review protocol.

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical utility of patient-reported outcome measures that assess health-related quality of life in patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

The Validation of a Spanish Version of the Multidimensional Inventory of Religious/Spiritual Well-Being in Mexican College Students.

After the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being (MI-RSWB) was validated as a reliable instrument for the Western European context it is primarily intended in this study to translate the measure into Spanish and adapt it for the Mexican culture. Furthermore we investigate whether spirituality/religiosity has a similar impact on indicators of personality and subjective well-being in Mexico as it does in samples drawn from Western European cultures. 190 students (99 females) from public and private universities in Guadalajara, all Mexican citizens, were involved in this study. We found strong evidential support for the six factor solution of the Original MI-RSWB in this Mexican population. By mirroring previous research the measure showed a highly satisfying internal consistency (α = .91 for the total score and .75 or higher for all six sub dimensions). Furthermore the total RSWB score was observed to be related with Eysenck's personality dimensions Extraversion (r = .24, p < .01), and Psychoticism (r = -.28, p < .001), although not with Neuroticism. There was also a positive correlation with Sense of Coherence (r = .31, p < .001). In conclusion, the dimensionality of RSWB and its associations with personality and subjective well-being was well supported in this first application within a Mexican cultural context.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Basic Psychological Needs in Physical Education Scale between Portugal and Brazil Samples.

The main propose of this study is the cross-cultural validation of the Basic Psychological Needs in Physical Education Scale among Portugal and Brazil samples, through the study of measurement model invariance. Participated in this study, two independent samples, one with 616 Portuguese students, of the 2nd and 3rd basic grade of public school, aged between 9 and 18 years old and another with 450 Brazilian students, from 1st, 2nd and 3rd middle grade of public and private school, aged between 14 and 18 years old. The results support the suitability of the model (three factors, each one with four items), showing an adequate fit to the data in each sample (Portugal: χ2 = 203.8, p = .001, df = 51, SRMR = .062, NNFI = .926, CFI = .943, RMSEA = .070, RMSEA 90% IC = .060-.080; Brazil: χ2 = 173.7, p = .001, df = 51, SRMR = .052, NNFI = .940, CFI = .954, RMSEA = .073, RMSEA 90% IC = .061-.085), as well valid cross-cultural invariance among Portuguese e Brazilian samples (∆CFI ≤ .01). Those findings allow us to conclude that scale can be used to measure the basic psychological needs in physical education in Portugal and in Brazil.

Functional capacity: a new framework for the assessment of everyday functioning in schizophrenia.

Historically, measures of everyday functioning have focused exclusively on real-world performance. Despite the unquestionable value of "real-world functioning", it has become clear that instruments for its assessment might not be as accurate as desirable. Functional capacity is a domain of everyday functioning that can be assessed through performance-based measures. In the last decade, functional capacity has become a cornerstone for the assessment of everyday functioning, since, alongside measures of real-world functioning, it provides a much more comprehensive picture of functional outcomes than any measurement alone. Functional capacity is more stable and less vulnerable to influence from environmental factors than other domains, and its correlation with cognitive functions has encouraged the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) project to suggest that a performance-based measure of functional capacity be included as a co-primary assessment of cognition in clinical trials. Functional capacity assessment instruments may be also useful in the evaluation of remission in schizophrenia. Validation of these instruments in different countries is desirable, and should always include cross-cultural adaptation; within large countries, adjustment for regional variations should be considered.

Functional capacity: a new framework for the assessment of everyday functioning in schizophrenia

Historically, measures of everyday functioning have focused exclusively on real-world performance. Despite the unquestionable value of “real-world functioning”, it has become clear that instruments for its assessment might not be as accurate as desirable. Functional capacity is a domain of everyday functioning that can be assessed through performance-based measures. In the last decade, functional capacity has become a cornerstone for the assessment of everyday functioning, since, alongside measures of real-world functioning, it provides a much more comprehensive picture of functional outcomes than any measurement alone. Functional capacity is more stable and less vulnerable to influence from environmental factors than other domains, and its correlation with cognitive functions has encouraged the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) project to suggest that a performance-based measure of functional capacity be included as a co-primary assessment of cognition in clinical trials. Functional capacity assessment instruments may be also useful in the evaluation of remission in schizophrenia. Validation of these instruments in different countries is desirable, and should always include cross-cultural adaptation; within large countries, adjustment for regional variations should be considered.

Test development and use in five Iberian Latin American countries.

The abundance of scholarship on test development and use generally is higher in English-speaking than in Iberian Latin American countries. The purpose of this article is to help overcome this imbalance by describing and identifying similarities and differences in test development and use in two Iberian (Portugal and Spain) and three of the largest Latin American (Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela) countries. The stages of test development in each country, roles of professional associations, presence of standards for test use, professionals' educational training, commonly used tests, together with prominent challenges to continued progress are discussed. Test development and use in these five countries are transitioning from a dependence on the use of translated tests to greater reliance on adapted and finally nationally constructed tests. Continued growth requires adherence to international standards guiding test development and use. Stronger alliance among professional associations in the Iberian Latin American countries could serve as a catalyst to promote test development in these regions.

Procedures for successful data collection through psychological tests in the elderly / Procedimentos para uma recolha de dados bem-sucedida junto de idosos

Drawing on the experience of sampling and assessing thousands of elders, who dwell both in rural and urban areas, from all socio-economic strata, we present data collection procedures recommended to assess elderly populations. Based on International Test Commission's Guidelines (2010) for test translation and adaptation, we propose the administration of psychological tests to older adults in an interview format arguing that it is better suited for such population. We provide and discuss practical examples and common problems of data collection regarding: the need of adapting the translation to make cultural and psychological sense; the lack of familiarity of most elders with the psychological assessment setting and process; and, ethical concerns for this specific population. (AU)

Baseados na experiência de seleção e avaliação de milhares de idosos residentes em meio rural e urbano, pertencentes aos diversos estratos socioeconómicos, apresentamos procedimentos de recolha de dados recomendáveis para esta população. Considerando as diretrizes de tradução e adaptação de testes da International Test Commission (2010), propomos a administração de testes psicológicos a idosos sob a forma de entrevista, argumentando que esta é a forma mais adequada. Apresentamos e discutimos exemplos práticos e problemas comuns relativos à recolha de dados, considerando: a necessidade de nas traduções ser atendido o significado cultural e psicológico; a falta de familiaridade da maioria dos idosos com o cenário e o processo de avaliação psicológica; e, aspetos éticos vis-à-vis esta população. (AU)

Reliability and validity of the body image quality of life inventory: version for Brazilian burn victims.

The aims of this study were to adapt the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) into Brazilian Portuguese (BP) and to assess the psychometric properties of the adapted version. Construct validity was assessed by correlating the BIQLI-BP scores with the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, with Burns Specific Health Scale-Revised (BSHS-R), and with gender, total body surface area burned, and visibility of the scars. Participants were 77 adult burn patients. Cronbach's alpha for the adapted version was .90 and moderate linear correlations were found between body image and self-esteem and between BIQLI-BP scores and two domains of the BSHS-R: affect and body image and interpersonal relationships. The BIQLI-BP showed acceptable levels of reliability and validity for Brazilian burn patients.

Portuguese translation and validation of the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

The absence of a translated and validated instrument for measuring marital satisfaction in Brazil, the largest country in South America and fifth most populous country in the world, is a significant barrier for research and mental health service delivery. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate a marital satisfaction scale into Portuguese that would have both empirical credibility and cultural relevance in Brazil. A six-step serial approach was used to simultaneously translate and culturally validate the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). The translated instrument (RDAS-P) demonstrated good psychometric properties during field testing.

Translation, adaptation, and validation of the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale in Puerto Rico.

The only hypnotizability scale that has been translated and validated for the Puerto Rican population is the Barber Suggestibility Scale (BSS). In this article, the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale (SHCS) was translated and validated for this population. The translated SHCS ("Escala Stanford de Hipnosis Clinica" [ESHC]) was administered individually to 100 Puerto Rican college students. There were no significant differences found between the norms of the original SHCS samples and the Spanish version of the SHCS. Both samples showed similar distributions. The Spanish version's internal reliability as well as the item discrimination index were adequate. The authors conclude that the ESHC is an adequate instrument to measure hypnotizability in the Puerto Rican population.

Validity of a short functioning test (FAST) in Brazilian outpatients with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: As the use of functioning outcomes is increasingly being advocated in multinational clinical trials and comparative studies, making available instruments with known validity and reliability in several languages is required. Here we present data on the Portuguese validation of the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), which was explicitly designed to gauge functioning dimensions empirically linked to bipolar disorder. METHODS: One hundred patients with bipolar disorder and matched controls were assessed with the FAST, which was evaluated regarding discriminant, content and construct validity, concurrent validity with functioning instruments, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The FAST displayed a five-factor structure very similar to its conceptualization, successfully discriminated patient and control groups, and correlated highly with other functioning measures; it also showed excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The FAST is a measure with sufficient validity and reliability, with potential for the use in international clinical trials and comparative studies.