Multimodal approach to the promotion of evidence-based practice in the assessment of anxiety disorders

This Dissertation is composed of five studies and a book chapter about a variety of research designs and methodologies aiming to promote evidence-based practice in the assessment of anxiety disorders. This multimodal approach encompasses works related to six guidelines. First, Theoretical Updating and Upgrading: Study 1 investigates the psychometric properties of the DSM-5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales in Brazil. Second, International Collaboration: Study 2 reports on the development of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5, a project uniting fifty researchers, from all five continents. Third, Harm Assessment: Study 3 describes the use of the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale to measure anxiety-related impairment in community and clinical settings, complementing the mere assessment of frequency and intensity of symptoms. Fourth, Mathematical and Statistical Refinement: Study 4 investigates the reliability of the subscale scores in the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders through the use of a bifactor model confirmatory factor analysis. Fifth, Evidence from Intervention: Study 5 tests the effectiveness of the Friends for Life prevention program with children at risk for internalizing disorders, using two well-established childhood anxiety measures. Sixth, Spreading of Science: the Book Chapter describes three scales for assessing anxiety symptoms in childhood and adolescence and is published in a comprehensive and didactic manual about assessment instruments in mental health disseminated among students, researchers, clinicians and practitioners in the mental health field. Altogether, the works covering these six guidelines (THEMIS statement) constitute a multimodal approach to the promotion of evidence-based practice in the assessment of anxiety disorders.Esta tese é composta por cinco estudos e um capítulo de livro acerca de variados delineamentos e metodologias de pesquisa com o objetivo de promover práticas baseadas em evidências na avaliação de transtornos de ansiedade. Essa abordagem multimodal engloba trabalhos relacionados a seis diretrizes. Primeiro, Atualização Teórica: o Estudo 1 investiga as propriedades psicométricas das Escalas Dimensionais de Ansiedade do DSM-5 no Brasil. Segundo, Colaboração Internacional: o Estudo 2 relata o desenvolvimento da Medida de Ansiedade na Juventude para o DSM-5, um projeto unindo cinquenta pesquisadores, de todos os cinco continentes. Terceiro, Avaliação de Prejuízos: o Estudo 3 descreve o uso da Escala Geral de Gravidade e Prejuizo da Ansiedade para a mensuração de prejuízos relacionados à ansiedade em contextos comunitário e clínico, complementando a mera avaliação de frequência e intensidade de sintomas. Quarto, Refinamento Matemático e Estatístico: o Estudo 4 investiga a confiabilidade dos escores das subescalas da Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders por meio do uso de uma análise fatorial confirmatória com modelo bifator. Quinto, Evidências de Intervenções: o Estudo 5 testa a efetividade do programa de prevenção Friends for Life com crianças em risco para o desenvolvimento de transtornos internalizantes, por meio do uso de duas medidas bem-estabelecidas de ansiedade na infância. Sexto, Divulgação da Ciência: o capítulo de livro descreve três escalas para a avaliação de sintomas de ansiedade na infância e adolescência e está publicado em um manual abrangente e didático acerca de instrumentos de avaliação em saúde mental, disseminado entre estudantes, pesquisadores, clínicos e profissionais da área da saúde mental. Em conjunto, os trabalhos cobrindo essas seis diretrizes (THEMIS statement) constituem uma abordagem multimodal para a promoção de práticas baseadas em evidência na avaliação de trantornos de ansiedade

Relacionamentos de amizade íntima entre jovens adultos

The literature is consensual regarding the importance of friendships throughout the lifecycle; most of the time for improvements in the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe intimate friendship relationships between young adults. Participants were 98 young adults aged between 18 and 30. Sampling procedures were based on the Respondent Driven Sampling technique. The instrument was composed of three self-report questionnaires and data were analyzed quantitatively. Results showed homogeneity of characteristics among intimate friends, especially concerning gender. Companionship emerged as the most distinctive aspect of friendships. All friendship functions showed positive correlations with each other. There seems to be a filter of similarities in the friendships of young adults. Also, friendships that show good quality in one specific function tend to be good quality friendships as a whole.La literatura es consensual cuanto a la importancia de la amistad a lo largo del ciclo vital; en la mayor parte del tiempo, para la mejoría de la calidad de vida. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar y describir las relaciones íntimas de amistad de adultos jóvenes. Participaron 98 adultos jóvenes de edades comprendidas entre 18 y 30 años. El muestreo estuvo basado en la técnica del Respondent Driven Sampling. Fueron utilizados tres cuestionarios auto-administrados y los datos fueron analizados cuantitativamente. Los resultados demostraron homogeneidad en las características entre amigos íntimos, especialmente para el género. El compañerismo se destacó como el aspecto más importante de la amistad. Todas las funciones de la amistad mostraron correlaciones positivas entre sí. Se concluye que hay un filtro de similitudes entre amigos en la adultez joven y que amistades que son buenas en un aspecto tienden a ser buenas amistades en su total.A literatura é consensual quanto ao importante papel dos amigos no ciclo vital, na maior parte do tempo, para melhorias na qualidade de vida. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar e descrever características dos relacionamentos íntimos de amizade de jovens adultos. Participaram 98 jovens adultos com idade entre 18 e 30 anos. Os procedimentos de amostragem foram baseados na técnica do Respondent Driven Sampling. Foram utilizados três questionários autoaplicados e os dados foram submetidos a tratamento quantitativo. Os resultados demonstraram uma homogeneidade de características entre amigos íntimos, especialmente para o gênero. O companheirismo despontou como aspecto mais marcante na amizade. Todas as funções da amizade apresentaram correlações positivas entre si. Conclui-se que parece haver um filtro de similaridades entre amigos na adultez jovem e que amizades de boa qualidade em uma determinada função costumam ser de boa qualidade em seu total

Adaptação transcultural do Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits para avaliação de traços de insensibilidade e afetividade restrita de adolescentes no Brasil

Objetivo: Realizar a adaptação transcultural para o português brasileiro do instrumento Inventory of callous-unemotional traits (ICU) para avaliação de traços de insensibilidade e afetividade restrita de adolescentes.Método: Estudo metodológico que envolveu as etapas de tradução, retradução, avaliação por comitê de especialistas e de clareza da versão pré-final do ICU, avaliado por 40 adolescentes, entre 10 a 17 anos, de ambos os sexos, de uma escola pública.Resultados: A versão pré-final do ICU foi aprovada pelo comitê de especialistas e pelo autor do instrumento. A avaliação da clareza revelou uma boa compreensão dos itens. Os 10 itens com menor clareza foram modificados conforme as sugestões.Conclusão: A versão final do ICU para o português brasileiro mostrou ser similar ao instrumento original no que se refere à equivalência semântica, operacional e conceitual. Recomendam-se a realização de estudos que evidenciem a validade psicométrica do ICU adaptado para o português brasileiro.Palavras-chave: Adolescente. Estudos de avaliação. Escolas.

La correspondencia de Valencia : diario de noticias : eco imparcial de la opinión y de la prensa: Año XXX Número 10124 - 1907 Junio 03

Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Cultura. Subdirección General de Coordinación Bibliotecaria, 200

Cross-cultural adaptation and preliminary psychometric properties of the Affective Reactivity Index in Brazilian youth:Implications for DSM-5 measured irritability

Objective: To describe the cross-cultural adaptation of the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) to Brazilian Portuguese and to investigate preliminary psychometric properties of the adapted version. Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation was based on the investigation of the theoretical and operational equivalences of the original ARI in the Brazilian context, followed by a process of translation, back-translation, and review by a committee of experts. Data analysis was carried out in a community sample of 133 schoolchildren aged 8 to 17 years to investigate the following characteristics of the ARI: 1) factor structure; 2) internal consistency; 3) construct validity comparing differential relationships between irritability and anxiety dimensions and impairment; and 4) item response theory (IRT) parameters. Results: A final Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument was defined and is presented. Internal consistency was good, and our analysis supported the original single-factor structure of the ARI. Correlations of the ARI with distress-related anxiety dimensions were higher than with phobic-related anxiety dimensions, supporting its construct validity. In addition, higher ARI scores were associated with higher irritability-related impairment. IRT analysis underscored frequency of loss of temper as essential to inform about pathological states of irritability. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the ARI seems to be very similar to the original instrument in terms of conceptual, item, semantic, and operational equivalence. Our preliminary analysis replicates and extends previous evidence confirming promising psychometric properties for the ARI

Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version of the Friendship Quality Questionnaire in a Community Sample of Children and Early Adolescents

El Cuestionario sobre Calidad de la Amistad (Friendship Quality Questionnaire [FQQ]) es un instrumento desarrollado para medir las percepciones de los niños acerca de la cualidad de sus amistades. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido investigar las propiedades psicométricas del FQQ en una muestra de niños y adolescentes de una comunidad en Brasil. 274 estudiantes de 9-13 años de edad (M = 10.46; DE = 0.81), 52.2 % chicos, respondieron a la versión brasileña del FQQ. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró la estructura original de seis factores del FQQ para esta muestra después de la exclusión de un ítem relacionado a traición. Con excepción de la subescala “Conflicto”, los demás factores presentaron altas intercorrelaciones positivas. La escala total y todas las subescalas muestrearon adecuada consistencia interna. Las niñas tuvieron puntuaciones más elevadas en la escala total y en las subescalas “Validación y Cuidado” y “Cambios Íntimos” cuando comparadas a los chicos. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el FQQ ha presentado adecuadas evidencias de validación y confiabilidad para la medida de cualidad en la amistad de niños y adolescentes brasileños.The Friendship Quality Questionnaire (FQQ) is an instrument designed to assess children’s perceptions of qualities of their friendship. The aim of this study was to investigate psychometric properties of the FQQ in a Brazilian community sample of children and early adolescents. Participants were 274 students aged 9-13 years (M = 10.46; SD = 0.81), 52.2% boys, who completed the Brazilian version of the FQQ. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the six-factor original structure of the FQQ fit this sample well after the exclusion of one item related to betrayal. Except for the “Conflict” subscale, all factors presented high positive intercorrelations. The total and subscale scores showed good internal consistency. Girls scored higher on the total score and the “Validation and Caring” and “Intimate Exchange” subscale scores as compared to boys. Our findings suggest the FQQ presented good evidences of validity and reliability to assess friendship quality in Brazilian children and adolescents

En la “fila de espera” : tiempo entre la sumisión y la aceptación de manuscritos en periódicos brasileros de psicología

Scientific journal are a major mean for disseminating scientifi c fi ndings, and play a crucial role in the development and updating of science. However these goals require an effi cient editorial process. The aims of this study were to describe the average time between submission and acceptance of manuscripts in high quality Brazilian journals in Psychology and to investigate associations between the submission/ acceptance time and aspects of the editorial process. We selected 44 journals from the highest strata of the Psychology Qualis CAPES. Published articles available online in the last four numbers of each journal were consulted in regard to the declared time between the dates of submission and acceptance (N = 2,580). The average submission/acceptance time was 235.37 days (SD = 192.95). The higher the Qualis stratum of the journal, the longer the submission/acceptance time. The higher the number of members in the editorial board, the faster submission/acceptance time. The submission/acceptance time was faster in journals of associations/councils as compared to journals of public and private universities/colleges. Results are discussed emphasizing the impact of a long editorial process in the dissemination of science and the assessment of researchers and scientifi c journals. Suggestions are offered to make the editorial process more effective.Revistas científicas son uno de los principales vehículos para la diseminación de los hallazgos científi cos y tienen un papel crucial en el desarrollo de la ciencia. Sin embargo, tales objetivos exigen un proceso editorial efi ciente. El objetivo del estudio fue describir la media del tiempo entre la sumisión y aceptación de manuscritos en revistas brasileras de alta cualidad en Psicología, e investigar asociaciones entre el tiempo de sumisión/aceptación y aspectos del proceso editorial. Fueron seleccionados 44 periódicos de los estratos más altos del Qualis Capes de Psicología. Fueron consultados el tiempo entre las fechas de sumisión y aceptación de los artículos disponibles online en los cuatro últimos números de cada revista (n = 2.580). La media de tiempo fue de 235,37 días (SD = 192,95). Cuanto más alto el estrato Qualis, mayor el tiempo de sumisión/aceptación. Cuanto más miembros en el grupo editorial, menor el tiempo de sumisión/aceptación. El tiempo de sumisión/aceptación fue menor en las revisas de asociaciones/ consejos en comparación a las de universidades/facultades. Los resultados son discutidos enfatizando el impacto de procesos editoriales en la divulgación del conocimiento y evaluación de investigadores y revistas científi cas. Sugerencias son ofrecidas con la fi nalidad de volver más efi caz el proceso editorial

En la “fila de espera” : tiempo entre la sumisión y la aceptación de manuscritos en periódicos brasileros de psicología

Scientific journal are a major mean for disseminating scientifi c fi ndings, and play a crucial role in the development and updating of science. However these goals require an effi cient editorial process. The aims of this study were to describe the average time between submission and acceptance of manuscripts in high quality Brazilian journals in Psychology and to investigate associations between the submission/ acceptance time and aspects of the editorial process. We selected 44 journals from the highest strata of the Psychology Qualis CAPES. Published articles available online in the last four numbers of each journal were consulted in regard to the declared time between the dates of submission and acceptance (N = 2,580). The average submission/acceptance time was 235.37 days (SD = 192.95). The higher the Qualis stratum of the journal, the longer the submission/acceptance time. The higher the number of members in the editorial board, the faster submission/acceptance time. The submission/acceptance time was faster in journals of associations/councils as compared to journals of public and private universities/colleges. Results are discussed emphasizing the impact of a long editorial process in the dissemination of science and the assessment of researchers and scientifi c journals. Suggestions are offered to make the editorial process more effective.Revistas científicas son uno de los principales vehículos para la diseminación de los hallazgos científi cos y tienen un papel crucial en el desarrollo de la ciencia. Sin embargo, tales objetivos exigen un proceso editorial efi ciente. El objetivo del estudio fue describir la media del tiempo entre la sumisión y aceptación de manuscritos en revistas brasileras de alta cualidad en Psicología, e investigar asociaciones entre el tiempo de sumisión/aceptación y aspectos del proceso editorial. Fueron seleccionados 44 periódicos de los estratos más altos del Qualis Capes de Psicología. Fueron consultados el tiempo entre las fechas de sumisión y aceptación de los artículos disponibles online en los cuatro últimos números de cada revista (n = 2.580). La media de tiempo fue de 235,37 días (SD = 192,95). Cuanto más alto el estrato Qualis, mayor el tiempo de sumisión/aceptación. Cuanto más miembros en el grupo editorial, menor el tiempo de sumisión/aceptación. El tiempo de sumisión/aceptación fue menor en las revisas de asociaciones/ consejos en comparación a las de universidades/facultades. Los resultados son discutidos enfatizando el impacto de procesos editoriales en la divulgación del conocimiento y evaluación de investigadores y revistas científi cas. Sugerencias son ofrecidas con la fi nalidad de volver más efi caz el proceso editorial