Desenvolvimento e Validação Preliminar de uma Escala Multidimensional de Satisfação de Vida para Adolescentes

The purpose of this study was to develop a Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Adolescents (MLSSA). Participants were 425 adolescents (224 boys and 201 girls) with a mean age of 16,1 years (SD=1,2) attending schools in the city of Santa Maria/RS. Items selection occurred on basis of the results from principal components analysis, and the final form of the MLSSA included 52 items, distributed over 7 factors: Family, Self, Compared Self, School, Non-violence, Self-efficacy and Friendship. The seven components explained 54% of the total variance. The coefficients of internal consistency were satisfactory for each subscale, as well as for the total scale (α=0,93). Evidences of validity were also obtained through a correlational analysis with a measure of Self-esteem.  O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver uma Escala Multidimensional de Satisfação de Vida para Adolescentes (ESMVA). Participaram 425 adolescentes (224 meninos e 201 meninas), com idade média de 16,1 anos (DP=1,2). Os itens foram selecionados por meio de procedimentos de análise de componentes principais, e a versão final da ESMVA contou com 52 itens, distribuídos em sete componentes: Família, Self, Escola, Self Comparado, Não-violência, Auto-eficácia e Amizade. O resultado mostrou uma estrutura que explicou 54% da variância. A análise da consistência interna, medida pelos valores de alfa de Cronbach, foram adequadas para cada uma das subescalas, assim como para a escala total (α = 0,93). Evidências de validade foram obtidas também por meio de correlações com uma medida de auto-estima

The fear of pain questionnaire : psychometric properties of a Brazilian version for adolescents and its relationship with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Objectives: The primary aim was to assess the psychometric properties (including internal consistency, construct validity, criterion validity, criterion-group validity and responsiveness) of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FOPQ) for adolescents (FOPQ-A) and parents (FOPQ-P) translated to Brazilian Portuguese (BrP). The secondary aim was to analyze the factor structures and their ability to identify subjects with chronic pain conditions and identify the relationship of the BrP FOPQ-A with saliva brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 286 adolescents aged 11 to 18 (257 healthy adolescents [157 females] and 29 adolescents with chronic pain [16 females]). Parents and adolescents completed the BrP-FOPQ. A team of experts translated the FOPQ according to international guidelines. Convergent validity and factor analysis were performed. Later, a subsample (n=146) was used to correlate the BrP-FOPQ-A with saliva BDNF. Results: The BrP-FOPQ for adolescents and parents presented strong psychometric properties (Cronbach’s α equal to 0.92 and 0.91, respectively). BrP-FOPQ-A confirmatory factor analysis yielded a two-factor structure while the factorial analyses of BrP-FOPQ-P demonstrated that the best solution was a three-structure factorial. The BrP-FOPQ-P scores in healthy adolescents and those in chronic pain conditions was 34.13 (16.71) vs 43.14 (18.08), respectively. A generalized mixed model demonstrated that the scores in the BrP-FOPQ-A are higher in those with chronic pain conditions compared to healthy subjects (29.20 [12.77] vs 33.80 [10.76], respectively; Wald χ2= 17.80; df=1, P<0.0001). The model revealed that the BDNF was positively correlated with the score of BrP-FOPQ-A and subjects with chronic pain showed higher levels of BDNF. Conclusion: The BrP-FOPQ scores for adolescents and parents were found to be psychometrically robust and reliable instruments, with primary evidence of validity. Higher scores on the BrP-FOPQ-A were correlated positively with saliva BDNF and permitted the identification of subjects with chronic pain conditions

Developmental delay in early childhood is associated with visual-constructive skills at school age in a Brazilian cohort

We investigated differences in IQ and visual-constructive skills in school-age children evaluated as developmentally delayed or typically developed in early childhood. Sixty-four participants from a Brazilian cohort were evaluated in IQ (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) and tasks of visual-spatial memory and visual-constructive skills through the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) at school age. Neuropsychomotor development at 4 years of age was measured by Denver II. Developmentally delayed children showed lower IQs, lower scores, and more errors in copy and memory BVRT tasks when compared to typically developed children. Delay in neuropsychomotor development in early childhood may affect the subsequent cognitive development of children

Age, education and intellectual quotient influences : structural equation modeling on the study of Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT)

This study searched for sociodemographic influences on visual memory and visuoconstructive ability in healthy and clinical samples evaluated with Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) in two studies. In Study 1, we searched for changes related to age in children, adolescents, adults and elderly on the performance of the BVRT. In Study 2, we investigated the relations among age, years of education and intellectual quotient (IQ) on the performance of the BVRT using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Participants were 624 individuals aged between six and 89 years old (M = 25.40; SD = 22.34) from the normatization and evidence validity studies at Brazil. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire, BVRT and IQ measure was estimated. Study 1 has shown a performance similar to the developmental graphics with a U-inverted pattern in relation to age: An increase of the visual memory ability in the children and adolescent groups as age increases, a tendency of a decrease in the performance in the adult group that intensifies in the elderly group. Study 2 found that the model for the BVRT performance tested by SEM denoted satisfactory goodness-of-fit indexes, χ2/gl = 2.67, p < .001; CFI = .92; TLI = .93; RMSEA = .004, 90% CI = [.03, .05];WLSMV = 1.79, and corroborated the theoretical assumption. The SEM model confirmed in this study highlight the strong role of years of education in the prediction of BVRT scores

Evidências de validade do Teste de Retenção Visual de Benton em amostras brasileiras

Investigações das evidências de validade dos testes devem ser contínuas, a fim de aprimorar aspectos teóricos e empíricos, abrangendo o significado dos escores do teste, as consequências e sua utilidade. A presente tese investigou evidências de validade Benton Visual Retention Test ou Teste de Retenção Visual de Benton (BVRT) para a avaliação da memória visual e habilidades visuoconstrutivas na amostra total de normatização do teste no Brasil. Mais especificamente, investigaram-se a Administração A (Memória) e Administração C (Cópia) do BVRT. O primeiro estudo aborda aspectos históricos e conceituais da avaliação neuropsicológica na interface com a Psicometria, as principais funções neuropsicológicas avaliadas pelo BVRT e suas bases neurais. Os três capítulos empíricos investigam fontes de evidência de validade do teste utilizando diferentes técnicas de análise de dados. No Capítulo II, por meio da Modelagem de Rasch, observou-se a necessidade de incluir itens nos dois extremos da escala logit para a Administração C (Cópia). A análise também forneceu uma proposta de avaliação considerando a dificuldade específica de cada item. O Capítulo III investigou a influência de outras variáveis no BVRT tendo se encontrado padrões em forma de U-invertido em função da idade, da infância até a terceira idade, principalmente na memória visual, avaliada pelo BVRT. Ainda, a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais permitiu identificar um efeito fixo da variável Quociente Intelectual (QI) na Administração A (Memória) do BVRT em diferentes grupos etários, sendo que nos grupos dos adultos e idosos observou-se uma relação positiva e significativa entre os anos de estudo e o desempenho no BVRT. No Capítulo IV, realizou-se a comparação de um grupo clínico de pacientes pós-Acidente Vascular Cerebral unilateral e um grupo controle, emparelhado por idade e anos de estudo, e encontrou-se um pior desempenho do grupo clínico no teste, principalmente na Administração C (Cópia). Em complemento, o método de série de casos, evidenciou dissociações fortes e clássicas entre as duas administrações do BVRT. As evidências de validade do BVRT investigadas na presente tese reforçam a necessidade de aprimoramento das características dos itens do teste e ressaltam a importância de se considerar variáveis sociodemográficas, como a idade e anos de estudo, e variáveis cognitivas como o QI na determinação do desempenho do BVRT. A tese contribui para as investigações de diferentes fontes de evidências de validade para o BVRT em amostras brasileiras. A utilidade do BVRT na avaliação clínica de pacientes pós-AVC foi evidenciada, uma vez que o teste permitiu a investigação de déficits de memória visual e habilidades visuoconstrutivas separadamente, o que pode implicar no melhor planejamento dos programas de reabilitação de pacientes.Tests evidence validity investigations should be continuous to improve theoretical and empirical issues, including scores meaning, consequences and utility. This doctoral dissertation investigated Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) evidence validity in evaluating visual memory and visuo-constructive abilities in Brazilian total norming sample of the test. Specifically, were investigated de Adminstration A (Memory) and Administration C (Copy) from BVRT. Chapter I consisted of a review about historical and conceptual aspects in neuropsychology evaluation in relation to psychometrics, the main neuropsychological functions evaluated by BVRT and its neural basis. Three empirical studies were performed in relation to sources of validity evidence using diferent data analysis tecniques. In Chapter II we used Rasch analisys and observed the need of itens in both extremes of logit scale for the Administration C (Copy). In addition, a new strategie of interpretation considering the itens difficulty was presented. Chapter III investigated variables influences on the BVRT scores and showed an inverted-U shaped trend considering the age, in childhood to old age, mainly in visual memory evaluated with BVRT. Still, using Structural Equation Modelling in different age groups we identified a fix effect for IQ in Administration A (Memory) of BVRT and a positive and significative relation between years of shooling and the BVRT performance in adults and old age groups. Last, in Chapter IV, we did a comparative study between a clinical group of unilateral stroke patients and a control group paired by age and years of schooling, and we found a worst performance in the clinical group, mainly at Administration C (Copy). Also, the case series method showed strong and classic dissociations between both BVRT administrations. This doctoral dissertation investigated different sources of evidence validity in Brazilian samples. The results highlighted the utility of the test in clinical evaluation of stroke patients considering that BVRT allowed the evaluation of visual memory and visuoconsttructive abilities separately, what can imply a better planning of patient’s rehabilitation programs

Desenho da figura humana : evidências de validade de escalas globais de avaliação

Este estudo procurou investigar as evidências de validade de estratégias globais de avaliação do Desenho da Figura Humana (DFH) na identificação de problemas emocionais em crianças. Foram considerados os aspectos de validade de construto a partir de diferentes fontes de evidências para as medidas de qualidade artística, normalidade e diferenciação sexual. Definições operacionais gerais e um conjunto de figuras ilustrativas, diferenciadas por sexo e faixas etárias das crianças que produziram o desenho, foram desenvolvidos para cada uma das escalas, segundo a avaliação de três juízes com ampla experiência na avaliação de desenhos. Além do DFH, os instrumentos utilizados foram as Matrizes Progressivas Coloridas de Raven, o Child Behavior Checklist, a Escala de Identificação de Problemas, a Escala Infantil de Indicadores Emocionais do DFH e um Questionário Sócio-demográfico. A amostra constituiu-se de 198 crianças de idades entre 6 e 12 anos, sendo 100 em atendimento psicológico e 98 que não estavam em atendimento. Os DFHs foram avaliados por quatro juízes segundo as três escalas globais estudadas. Os resultados foram obtidos através de correlações parciais de Pearson, análises multivariadas de covariância e análises de covariância. A variável inteligência foi controlada em todas as análises. Observaram-se bons índices de fidedignidade entre os juízes e escores significativamente diferentes nas três escalas para os dois grupos de crianças. Os achados forneceram indícios da validade do DFH como instrumento de triagem, sendo adequado para diferenciar grupos clínicos de crianças daqueles com desenvolvimento normal. Por fim, sugere-se que mais estudos sejam realizados para que o DFH possa ser considerado uma ferramenta útil no contexto clínico da Avaliação Psicológica.This study investigated the evidence of validity of global assessments of the Draw-a-person test (DAP) to identify children’s emotional problems. The aspects of construct validity were considered from different sources of evidence for measures of artistic quality, normality, and sexual differentiation. Operational definitions and illustrative figures, separated by sex and age groups of children who produced the draw were developed for each of the scales, according to the evaluation of three judges with extensive experience with the test. In addition to the DAP, the Colored Progressive Matrices of Raven, the Child Behavior Checklist, the School Problem’s Identification Scale, the Child Scale of DAP Emotional Indicators, and a Sociodemographic Questionnaire were used. The sample comprised 198 children aged 6 to 12 years (100 in psychological treatment and 98 non-clinical children). Four judges evaluated the DAPs using the three global scales. Analyses included Pearson partial correlations, analysis of covariance and multivariate analysis of covariance. The variable intelligence was controlled in each test. Good levels of reliability were observed across raters and significant group differences were observed in the three scales. The findings provided evidence of validity for the DAP as a screening tool, showing that it was able to differentiate clinical groups of children from those with normal development. Finally, we suggest that more studies should be carried out so that the DAP could be considered a useful tool in the clinical context of Psychological Assessment