nÃo hà / Avaliar o desenvolvimento infantil de crianÃas, por meio de escalas, constitui importante mÃtodo para detectar alteraÃÃes e indicar intervenÃÃes. Analisar a validaÃÃo e aplicaÃÃo do Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) na lÃngua portuguesa em crianÃas de risco para atraso no desenvolvimento neuromotor na idade de trÃs a doze meses, investigar o desenvolvimento neuromotor da crianÃa, entre trÃs e doze meses de idade aplicando o Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) na lÃngua portuguesa e analisar a validade de construto do HINT por meio da associaÃÃo do escore final com as variÃveis neonatais da crianÃa e as caracterÃsticas sociodemogrÃficas dos principais responsÃveis pela crianÃa. Estudo metodolÃgico, quantitativo, realizado com 78 crianÃas egressas da UTIN de uma instituiÃÃo pÃblica e 76 pais/responsÃveis, no perÃodo de fev/2009 a fev/2010, em Fortaleza-CE/BR. Aprovado pelo Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa sob o protocolo n 097/09. A coleta de dados constou de trÃs avaliaÃÃes para cada crianÃa, por trÃs examinadores e transcorreu de julho/2009 a agosto/2010. Na primeira avaliaÃÃo, aplicamos o HINT que se compÃe de quatro partes e um formulÃrio para identificar dados sÃcio-demogrÃficos dos responsÃveis. Neste momento, cada crianÃa foi avaliada e filmada, o que consideramos como segunda avaliaÃÃo. Aproximadamente sessenta dias depois, realizamos a terceira avaliaÃÃo. Os dados foram organizados no programa Excel 2007 e no PAWS versÃo 18, analisamos as propriedades psicomÃtricas e correlaÃÃes das variÃveis. Os resultados mostraram que 48 (61,5%) crianÃas sÃo do sexo masculino, 30 (38,5%), feminino, apenas quatro (5,2%) gemelares, predominando 58 (74,3%) partos abdominais. A idade gestacional variou de 32 a 41 semanas, denominando-se 55 (70,6%) prÃ-termos e o peso ao nascer, de 870 a 4.085g. Conforme a classificaÃÃo do HINT, a mÃdia dos escores finais atingidos pelas crianÃas prÃ-termos variou de 14,6 a 25,2 e a termo 11,2 a 24,7. Na primeira avaliaÃÃo quatro crianÃas prÃ-termos foram classificadas com desenvolvimento anormal e trÃs suspeito. A confiabilidade interclasse mostrou excelente concordÃncia, na primeira e terceira avaliaÃÃo, tendo o ICC variado de 0,992 a 0,996. A confiabilidade interclasse entre os 21 itens do HINT apresentou pÃssima concordÃncia apenas no item 5 â RTCA (Alpha de Cronbach = 0,137). A maioria dos itens apresentou Alpha de Cronbach acima de 0,900. A confiabilidade intraclasse apresentou excelente concordÃncia, alpha de Cronbach entre 0,978 e 0,992. Quanto ao desenvolvimento neuromotor, os escores nÃo apresentaram significÃncia estatÃstica quando comparados os grupos de crianÃas prÃ-termos e a termo (p>0,05). Apresentou correlaÃÃo na primeira avaliaÃÃo com a variÃvel Apgar 5â (p= 0,002). Na terceira, houve significÃncia estatÃstica com o nÃmero de pessoas no domicÃlio (p=0,022); Apgar 5â(p=0,026), IG/capurro (p=0,020). Quando comparadas Ãs mÃdias dos escores finais, identificamos valores estatisticamente significante para Apgar 5â ( p=0,019/examinador 1), (p=0,008/ examinador 2), (p=0,014/examinador 3); com o nÃmero de pessoas no domicÃlio (p= 0,008/examinador 1), (p=0,009/examinador 2), (p=0,015/examinador 3). ConcluÃmos que o HINT à um instrumento confiÃvel e vÃlido para avaliaÃÃo do desenvolvimento neuromotor da crianÃa de risco na idade de trÃs a doze meses.

O número de indivíduos obesos quase dobrou desde 1980. Sendo assim, a obesidade torna-se uma ameaça para o equilíbrio físico, mental e social destes indivíduos. Entre os tratamentos psicológicos, destaca-se a Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental, na qual explica que o sistema de crenças de um indivíduo interfere no desenvolvimento de seus sentimentos e comportamentos e, quando distorcido, pode causar tendências disfuncionais de raciocínio. Adaptar instrumentos a fim de aprofundar os estudos em relação ao comportamento alimentar de indivíduos obesos, pode levar a promover ações para promoção de saúde destes. A Dieting Beliefs Scale, composta por 16 afirmações, divididas entre lócus de controle interno (fator 1), lócus que estão além do controle, (fator 2) e lócus externo (fator 3), avalia a relação entre peso e comportamento na dieta. O objetivo deste estudo é adaptar esta escala em adultos para a amostra não clínica (alunos e funcionários da Universidade de Ribeirão Preto - UNAERP) de ambos os sexos e aplicar a versão adaptada para amostra clínica (pacientes da clínica de Nutrição da UNAERP). A análise dos dados da adaptação foi realizada com 197 sujeitos da amostra não clínica e foram realizadas a tradução, análise das evidências de validade (Análise Fatorial Exploratória - AFE - e Análise Fatorial Confirmatória - AFC) e precisão ou fidedignidade (alpha de Cronbach e teste-reteste). A aplicação da escala adaptada foi realizada na amostra clínica (n=114). Em relação aos resultados da tradução, a amostra não clínica não apresentou dúvidas em relação à versão traduzida. Sendo assim, esta foi aplicada em 197 sujeitos desta amostra. Já em relação aos resultados das evidências de validade a AFE constatou que os itens 2, 9, 10, 11 e 15 apresentaram uma carga fatorial alta para o fator 1; os itens 5, 6 e 7 apresentaram alta carga fatorial para o fator 2 e os itens 8, 12 e 13, para o fator 3. Foram excluídos os itens 1, 3, 4 e 16 por terem apresentado carga fatorial abaixo de 0,40. Na AFC, o modelo re-especificado da escala original apresentou ajuste razoável. Os resultados da Precisão ou fidedignidade foi realizada por meio do Alpha de Cronbach (0,404), classificado como moderado e do Teste-reteste (n=96), onde se observou que o fator 1 possui maior índice de correlação (0,620), comparados com os fatores 2 (0,499) e 3 (0,381). Os resultados da aplicação da escala na amostra clínica mostram que há evidências da não relação estatisticamente significativa entre o IMC e os fatores da Escala de Crenças sobre Dieta. Esta amostra pode ter compreensão da importância dos fatores internos em um processo de perda de peso. Assim, as análises estatísticas demonstraram qualidades psicométricas razoáveis. Recomenda-se a utilização deste instrumento para pesquisas a fim de compreender as crenças dos indivíduos em processo de perda de peso e o fator que pode estar interferindo em seu comportamento / The number of obese people has nearly doubled since 1980. Thus, obesity becomes a threat to the physical, mental and social balance of these individuals. Among the psychological treatments, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy stands out, in which it explains that the belief system of an individual interferes in the development of their feelings and behaviors and, when distorted, can cause dysfunctional tendencies of reasoning. Adapting instruments to deepen the studies regarding the eating behavior of obese individuals may lead to actions to promote their health. The Dieting Beliefs Scale, composed of 16 statements, divided between internal control locus (factor 1), locus that are beyond the control (factor 2) and external locus (factor 3), evaluates the relationship between weight and behavior in the diet. The aim of this study is to adapt this scale in adult non-clinical sample (students and staff at the University of Ribeirão Preto - UNAERP) of both genders and apply the version adapted for clinical sample (clinic patients Nutrition UNAERP). The analysis of the adaptation data was performed with 197 subjects from the non-clinical sample and the translation, analysis of the validity evidence (Exploratory Factor Analysis - AFE - and Confirmatory Factor Analysis - AFC) and accuracy or reliability (Cronbach\'s alpha and test -retested). The application of the adapted scale was performed in the clinical sample (n = 114). Regarding the results of the translation, the non-clinical sample showed no doubts about the translated version. Therefore, it was applied in 197 subjects of this sample. Regarding the results of the validity evidence, AFE found that items 2, 9, 10, 11 and 15 presented a high factor load factor 1; Items 5, 6 and 7 presented a high factor load for factor 2 and items 8, 12 and 13 for factor 3. Items 1, 3, 4 and 16 were excluded because they presented a factorial load below 0.40. In the AFC, the re-specified model of the original scale presented a reasonable fit. The results of Accuracy or reliability were performed using Cronbach\'s Alpha (0.404), classified as moderate and Test-retest (n = 96), where it was observed that factor 1 had a higher correlation index (0.620), compared with Factors 2 (0.499) and 3 (0.381). The results of scale application in the clinical sample show that there is evidence of a non-statistically significant relationship between BMI and Dietary Belief Scale factors. This sample may have an understanding of the importance of internal factors in a weight loss process. Thus, the statistical analyzes demonstrated reasonable psychometric qualities. It is recommended to use this tool for research in order to understand the beliefs of individuals in the process of weight loss and the factor that may be interfering in their behavior

Objective: This work consisted of three research projects bridged by their focus on a multivariate assessment of executive functions in research and practice: (a) a systematic review and re-analysis of latent variable studies on executive function test batteries, (b) a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), the most commonly administered executive function test battery in clinical practice, and (c) the derivation of multivariate base rates for the D-KEFS, offering a psychometric resource with direct applications to clinical practice. Method: Systematic review. The systematic review identified 45 eligible samples (N=9,498 participants, mean age range: 3.01-74.40 years-old) and 21 correlation matrices eligible for re-analysis, comparing seven competing models including the most commonly evaluated factors: updating/working memory, inhibition, and shifting. Model results were summarized based on the mean percent accepted (i.e., mean rate at which models both properly converged and met fit thresholds: CFI≥.90/RMSEA≤.08). CFA. Using adults from the D-KEFS normative sample (N=425; 20-49 years-old), eight alternative measurement models were evaluated for a subset of D-KEFS tests. Factors from the accepted measurement model predicted three tests measuring constructs less often evaluated in the executive function literature: abstraction, reasoning, and problem solving. Base rates. The frequency of low scores occurring among the D-KEFS normative sample (N=1,050; 16-89 years-old) was calculated for the full D-KEFS and two brief batteries using stratifications for age, education, and intelligence. Results: Systematic review. The most often accepted models varied by age (preschool=one/two-factor; school-age=two/three-factor; adolescent/adult=three/nested-factor; older adult=two/three-factor), and most frequently included updating/working memory, inhibition, and shifting factors. The nested-factor and three-factor models were accepted most often and at similar rates among adult samples: 33-34% and 25-32%, respectively. No model was accepted most often for child/adolescent samples, but those with shifting differentiated garnered less support. CFA. A three-factor model including inhibition, shifting, and fluency fit the data well (CFI=0.938; RMSEA=0.047), although a two-factor model merging shifting/fluency fit similarly well (CFI=0.929; RMSEA=0.048). A bifactor model fit best (CFI=0.977; RMSEA=0.032), but rarely converged. Shifting best predicted tests of reasoning, abstraction, and problem solving (p<0.05; R2=0.246-0.408). Base rates. Low scores, based on commonly used clinical cutoffs, occurred frequently among healthy adults. For a three-test, four-test, and full D-KEFS battery, 62.8%, 71.8%, and 82.6% obtained ≥1 score(s) ≤16th percentile, respectively, and 36.1%, 42.0%, 50.7%, obtained ≥1 score(s) ≤5th percentile, respectively. The frequency of low scores increased with lower intelligence and fewer years of education. Discussion: The systematic review effort did not identify a definitive model of executive functions for either adults or children/adolescents, demonstrating the continued need to re-evaluate the conceptualization and measurement of this construct in future research. The D-KEFS CFA offers some evidence of clinical measures capturing theoretical constructs, but is not directly translatable into clinical practice; while the multivariate base rates are useful to clinicians, but do not bridge theory and assessment. This research reaffirms the elusive nature of executive functions in both research and clinical spheres, and represents a step forward in an enduring scientific process towards a true understanding of this mysterious construct. / Graduate / 2018-07-24

The selection of students for higher education has been a burning issue on the agenda of South African institutions of higher education for the past decade. Institutions for higher education are experiencing pressure from both their clients and the government to broaden access, but at the same time financial realities force these institutions to admit only those candidates with the potential to be successful in their chosen course of study. The main aim of this study was the identification of variables which relate to academic success amongst Engineering Technology students at Technikon Pretoria, and to incorporate them into a selection battery which would be both valid and reliable. A non-experimental, correlational design was selected, as this research technique is considered the best controlled and most accurate of all non-¬experimental designs. Since a quantitative technique was selected for data gathering, the necessity for a statistical method in the data analysing process was obvious. The sample for this study consisted of a total of 732 Engineering Technology students at Technikon Pretoria. From these, 512 were Civil Engineering Technology students and the remaining 220 were Mechanical Engineering Technology students. These subjects were the total number of students from these two academic departments, enrolled from 1997 to 1999, of whom both psychometric and academic data were available. The sample consisted of 14.75% female and 85.25% male respondents and was representative of the cultural diversity of the Technikon campus. The competencies indicated by academic staff involved with the training of Engineering Technology students at Technikon Pretoria were hypothesised to be indicative of a potentially successful student. After the identification of these predictor variables the assessment battery to be used in this study was compiled. This was then included in a comprehensive set of data regarding each applicant, together with the required school performance. A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed on the data in order to establish the predictive validity of the assessment battery. The expansion of the traditional selection procedure to include the potential assessment phase proved valuable, as the validity of all prediction models improved with the addition of the indices from the Potential Index Batteries. The prediction models were found to be unbiased against students from the previously disadvantaged school systems and can thus be said to be culture fair. / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

This thesis consists of two studies designed to further validate the construct of modern homonegativity as measured by the Modern Homonegativity Scale (MHS). Similar to the concepts of modern racism and modern sexism, modern homonegativity rests upon three core assumptions: (1) gay men and lesbian women are making illegitimate (or unnecessary) demands for changes in the status quo; (2) discrimination against homosexual men and women is a thing of the past; and (3) gay men and lesbian women exaggerate the importance of their sexual preference and, in so doing, prevent themselves from assimilating into mainstream culture. The MHS was created to measure contemporary negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women (i.e., attitudes that are not based on traditional or moral objections to homosexuality). The scale contains two parallel forms: one for gay men (MHS-G) and one for lesbian women (MHS-L). Using Canadian participants (N = 374), results of Study 1 indicate that the parallel versions of the MHS are reliable, unidimensional, factorially, and conceptually distinct from a measure of old-fashioned homonegativity as measured by the Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Men Scale and a relatively new measure of homonegativity entitled Modern Homophobia. As well, modern homonegativity correlated in the hypothesized direction with the motivation to control prejudiced reactions. Finally, results of one-way ANOVAs indicated that individuals who reported having gay men and lesbian women as acquaintances and close friends evidenced significantly lower levels of modern homonegativity than did individuals who reported no contact experience. Study 2 was designed to examine the psychometric properties of the MHS from a cross-cultural vantage. Specifically, the psychometric properties of the MHS were investigated using a sample of American participants (N = 608). Results of this study confirmed the unidimensionality of the MHS-G, and its conceptual distinctiveness from other measures of homonegativity (the ATLG and "Modern" Homophobia scales). Also, modern homonegativity correlated in the hypothesized direction with political conservatism, religious self-schema, neosexism, and concern about acting prejudiced. Similar to Study 1, results of one-way ANOVAs confirmed that individuals who reported having both gay men and lesbian women as acquaintances and close friends evidenced lower levels of modern homonegativity when compared with individuals who reported not having gay or lesbian acquaintances or close friends. Finally, the metric invariance of the MHS-G and MHS-L factor loadings were tested. With the exception of four items on the MHS-G, the metric invariance of the parallel versions of the MHS was confirmed. In summary, the studies outlined in this thesis strengthen the argument that a new form of homonegativity exists. Further, the MHS possesses superior psychometric properties and will prove useful when used to measure negative attitudes toward homosexual men and women in college and university settings. As an adjunct to the implications of the research, future directions are outlined.

La ansiedad ante el desempeño musical es un fenómeno que afecta a los músicos instrumentistas independientemente del género, años de entrenamiento, estilo, etc.; y que puede deteriorar el desarrollo profesional de los músicos. No obstante, no existen pruebas específicas para estudiantes de música peruanos. La presente investigación adaptó y estimó las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Ansiedad ante el Desempeño Musical (IADM-K) de Kenny en 455 estudiantes profesionales de música de tres escuelas musicales de enseñanza superior. / Music performance anxiety is a condition that affects instrumentalist musicians independently of gender, years of training, music style, etc.; and can deteriorate their professional development. Nevertheless, there are no specific tests for Peruvian music students. The aim of this research was to adapt and estimate the psychometric properties of the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) on a sample of 455 professional music students from three professional music institutions. After back translating the test, the author of the English test recognized it as the official Spanish version. Appropriate validity evidence based on test content was estimated by eight subject matter experts. Validity evidence based on internal structure was estimated by a second-order exploratory factor analysis with the Schmid-Leiman solution which showed a unidimensional structure (ordinal a = .97, SEM = 4.87). Additionally, two first order factors: “music performance anxiety” (ordinal a = .93, SEM = 6.11) and “depressive components” (ordinal a = .92, SEM = 3.01) were identified. Based on the new structure, a Negative Affectivity Towards Music Performance Inventory (NAMPI) was proposed. Finally, with a p < .001, the K-MPAI presented high and significant correlational values with STAI and BAI and, thus, appropriate validity evidence based on the relation with other variables. Results showed that interpretations and decisions based on the scores obtained through the adaptation of the K-MPAI present validity and reliability evidence for professional music students of Metropolitan Lima. / Tesis

M.A. / Certain topics almost have an interdicted status surrounding them. Avoidance of the unknown is a common reaction displayed by people especially when it involves a condition that strips another of normality. One such topic is brain damage. This study was undertaken to provide an alternative method of viewing a condition that is known to affect many individuals. Brain damage may be acquired by anyone at any point in time as a result of the forces of nature, such as illnesses or intervention of mankind, such as motor vehicle accidents. It seems more valuable to research the issue and provide some resolve, than to ignore or avoid it. To ensure that a well-founded study was accomplished one dimension of daily living affected by head injuries, was focused upon. Re-employability of labourers following mild to moderate brain damage was the area selected for this study. To achieve this objective, a psychometric battery which assesses the capabilities of an unskilled or semiskilled labourer with brain damage, has been designed. In order to assess the validity of the battery, it was administered to two groups of individuals. The first group constituted 25 brain-damaged labourers and the second group consisted of 100 normal labourers. By comparing the performance of the two groups, it became possible to determine whether the battery was feasible as an instrument of skill disparity. The data accumulated by the study showed that the battery does have the capability of distinguishing between the groups. A significant result of this study is that there now appears to be a method of differentiating between the jobrelated skills retained by brain-damaged labourers as opposed to normal labourers. This infers that the instrument has the capacity to assess how close to normal the skill competencies of injured persons are. In this setting this invariably implies an evaluation of the reemployability status of a person. Brain-damaged individuals are thereby given some recourse to determine their future work prospects and are provided with some clarity on one dimension of their functioning.

Este estudio investiga el modelo de las competencias profesionales del catedrático a través de sus cuatro dimensiones (aptitud, empatía, sapiencia y seguridad) adaptado al contexto peruano, específicamente a la ciudad de Lima, haciendo uso del análisis factorial confirmatorio de segundo orden, como un caso particular de un modelo de estructuras de covarianza (SEM). El modelo fue usado para probar la hipótesis de investigación de este estudio que se realizó en una universidad pública de Lima, en la Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas, con una muestra de 195 participantes seleccionados en forma aleatoria. Los resultados apoyan la idea de que las competencias profesionales del catedrático tienen una relación directa con su aptitud, empatía, sapiencia y seguridad con coeficientes de 0,86; 0,86; 0,84 y 0,78 respectivamente; con una significación del 1%. Además, el modelo propuesto en la presente investigación cumple con las propiedades psicométricas, es decir posee consistencia interna de 0,79 y cumple con la evidencia de la validez de constructo con un índice GFI de 0,93 y RMSEA de 0,054; que son los índices adecuados. Por tanto, este estudio proporciona un modelo para los catedráticos que buscan mejorar día a día en su desenvolvimiento como tales. / Revisión por pares

Given the role ethnic identity has as a protective factor against the effects of marginalization and discrimination (Umaña-Taylor, 2011), research longitudinally examining ethnic identity has become of increased importance. However, successful identity development must incorporate elements from both one’s ethnic group and from the United States (Berry, 1980). Despite this, relatively few studies have jointly evaluated ethnic and American identity (Schwartz et al., 2012). The current dissertation, guided by three objectives, sought to address this and several other gaps in the literature. First, psychometric properties of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) and the American Identity Measure (AIM) were evaluated. Secondly, the dissertation examined growth trends in recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents’ and their caregivers’ ethnic and American identity. Lastly, the relationship between adolescents’ and caregivers’ ethnic and American identity was evaluated. The study used an archival sample consisting of 301 recently immigrated Hispanic families collected from Miami (N = 151) and Los Angeles (N = 150). Consistent with previous research, results in Study 1 indicated a two-factor model reliably provided better fit than a one-factor model and established longitudinal invariance for the MEIM and the AIM. Results from Study 2 found significant growth in adolescents’ American identity. While some differences were found across site and nationality, evidence suggested recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents were becoming more bicultural. Counterintuitively, results found a significant decline in caregivers’ ethnic identity which future studies should further examine. Finally, results from Study 3, found several significant positive relationships between adolescents’ and their caregivers’ ethnic and American identity. Findings provided preliminary evidence for the importance of examining identity development within a systemic lens. Despite several limitations, these three studies represented a step forward in addressing the current gaps in the cultural identity literature. Implications for future investigation are discussed.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The PTSD Checklist-civilian (PCL-C) is one of the most commonly used self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, however, little is known about its validity when used in pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the PCL-C as a screen for detecting PTSD symptoms among pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 3372 pregnant women who attended their first prenatal care visit in Lima, Peru participated in the study. We assessed the reliability of the PCL-C items using Cronbach's alpha. Criterion validity and performance characteristics of PCL-C were assessed against an independent, blinded Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) interview using measures of sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. We tested construct validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic approaches. RESULTS: The reliability of the PCL-C was excellent (Cronbach's alpha =0.90). ROC analysis showed that a cut-off score of 26 offered optimal discriminatory power, with a sensitivity of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78-0.92) and a specificity of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.62-0.65). The area under the ROC curve was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.78). A three-factor solution was extracted using exploratory factor analysis and was further complemented with three other models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In a CFA, a three-factor model based on DSM-IV symptom structure had reasonable fit statistics with comparative fit index of 0.86 and root mean square error of approximation of 0.09. CONCLUSION: The Spanish-language version of the PCL-C may be used as a screening tool for pregnant women. The PCL-C has good reliability, criterion validity and factorial validity. The optimal cut-off score obtained by maximizing the sensitivity and specificity should be considered cautiously; women who screened positive may require further investigation to confirm PTSD diagnosis. / Revisión por pares