A crescente importância da QV enquanto desfecho em saúde fez o grupo WHOQOL, da OMS, elaborar medidas de avaliação de QV para utilização internacional. Com a necessidade de instrumentos menores que demandassem pouco tempo para o preenchimento, foi desenvolvido o EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM, originado dos itens do WHOQOL- BREF. Objetivos: Testar as propriedades psicométricas do EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM em uma amostra brasileira. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída de 325 indivíduos. Eles foram divididos em dois grupos, 151 indivíduos constituiram o grupo dos doentes do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, RS, e 174 o grupo dos saudáveis. Para a avaliação das propriedades psicométricas do índice EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM, foram realizadas algumas análises. A Consistência Interna, foi avaliada usando o Alpha de Cronbach. A validade discriminante foi avaliada comparando o grupo de doentes e saudáveis e também o de deprimidos e não-deprimidos. A análise da validade convergente ocorreu através da correlação do EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM com diferentes medidas de QV já validadas e reconhecidas, o SF-36 e o WHOQOL-BREF. A análise fatorial foi avaliada usando o modelo de equação estrutural (SEM). Avaliou-se a unidimensionalidade usando as propriedades do modelo de Rasch. Resultados: A consistência interna avaliada pelo Alpha de Cronbach (com valor de 0,81) monstrou-se boa. O índice EURO-HIS–QOL 8-ITEM também mostrou boa capacidade discriminativa entre os grupos de doentes e saudáveis (média1=3,32; DP1=0,70; média2=3,77; DP2=0,63 t =6,12, p < 0,001) e também entre os grupos de deprimidos e não deprimidos (média3=3,14; DP3=0,69; média4=3,72; DP4=0,61 t = 7,25 p <0,001). O instrumento demonstrou boa validade convergente, através de correlações significativas (p < 0,001) entre o EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM e todos os domínidos do WHOQOL- BREF (QV Geral r = 0,47; Saúde Geral r= 0,54; Físico r = 0,69; Psicológico r = 0,62; Relações Sociais r = 0,55; Meio Ambiente r = 0,55) e entre o EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM e os domínios do SF-36 (QV Geral r = 0,36; Capacidade Funcional r =0,49; Limitação Física r = 0,45; Dor r = 0,43; Saúde Geral r = 0,52; Vitalidade r = 0,21; Aspectos Sociais r = 0,45; Aspectos Emocionais r = 0,38 e Saúde Mental r = 0,17), com exceção do domínio social (p = 0,38). Na análise de Rasch, as medidas de ajuste geral do modelo apresentaram adequado desempenho estatístico e foi considerado um bom ajuste logo na primeira avaliação (Ajuste de resíduo Interação Item pessoa: M= 0,01 e DP= 1,51; ajuste de resíduo de pessoa: M = -0,38 e DP= 1,19 e Item traço: Item total X²=69,60 p=0,00. Personal Separation Index = 0,82), ou seja, os resíduos foram aceitáveis, não foi preciso excluir itens. O EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM, apresentou bom ajuste aos dados na análise fatorial confirmatória (X²= 18,46; DF= 15; CFI= 0,99; RMSEA= 0,03; GFI = 0,99; RMR=0,03; P = p,24). Conclusão: O EURHIS-QOL 8-ITEM, validado em amostras europeias apresentou adequadas propriedades psicométricas neste estudo, mostrando-se uma medida confiável de QV para ser usada em amostras brasileiras. / In the 70s, quality of life began to be considered a health outcome. With the growing importance of this assessment in different areas of medicine, there were no instruments developed in the cross-cultural perspective for international use. In this context, quality of life assessement outcome measures were developed by the WHOQOL group from WHO. With the need of shorter instruments which demanded less time to be filled in, the EUROHIS-QOL 8 ITEM was developed, originated from WHOQOL-BREF items. Objectives: Test the psychometric properties of EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM in a Brazilian sample. Methods: The sample consisted of 325 individuals. They were divided in to two groups, 151 subjects constituted the group of patients from the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, RS, and 174 subjects the group of healthy controls. Some analyses were performed for the assessment of the psychometric properties of EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM index. Internal consistency was measured by using Cronbach’s alpha. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the group of patients and healthy controls and also the depressed and nondepressed. Analysis of convergent validity was through the correlation of EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM with different quality of life measures already validated and recognized as the SF-36 and WHOQO-BREF. Factor analysis was assessed using structural equation model (SEM). Unidimensionality was assessed using the properties of the Rasch model. Results: The Cronbach's alpha showed good internal consistency (with a value of 0.81). The measure also showed good discriminative ability between the groups of patients and healthy controls (mean1=3.32; SD1=0.70; mean2=3.77; SD2=0.63 t =6.12, p = 0,00) and between the depressed and nondepressed groups (mean3=3.14; SD3=0.69; mean4=3.72; SD4=0.61 t = 7.25 p =0.00). The instrument showed good convergent validity through significant correlations ( p < 0.001 ) between the EUROHIS–QOL 8-ITEM and all domains of WHOQOL-BREF (QV Overall r = 0.47; General Health r= 0.54; Physical Health r = 0.69; Psychological Health r = 0.62; Social Relationship r = 0.55; Meio Environment r = 0.55) and between EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM and the domains of the SF-36 (QV Overall r = 0.36; Functioning Physical r =0.49; Role Physical r = 0.45; Bodily Pain r = 0.43; General Health r = 0.52; Vitality r = 0.21; Social Functioning r = 0.45; Role Emotional r = 0.38 and Mental Health r = 0.17) , except for the social domain ( p = 0.38). In the Rasch analysis, general fit measures of the model had adequate statistical performance and were considered a good fit at the first assessment (residual fit Item-person Interaction: M = 0.01, SD = 1.51; person residual fit: M = -0.38, SD = 1.19 and Item-trait: Total Item X² = 69.60 p = 0.00. Personal Separation Index = 0.82), that is, the residuals were acceptable, it was not necessary to exclude items. The EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM showed a good fit to the data in the confirmatory factor analysis (X² = 18.46, DF = 15; CFI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.03; GFI = 0.99; RMR = 0.03; P = 24). Conclusion: EUROHIS-QOL 8-ITEM, validated in European samples, showed adequate psychometric properties in this study showing to be a reliable quality of life measure to be used in Brazilian samples.

O objetivo do presente projeto foi traduzir e adaptar o Obsessional Beliefs Questionnaire – OBQ-44 ao Português Brasileiro e verificar suas propriedades psicométricas em pacientes com Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo (TOC). Na primeira etapa, traduziu-se e adaptou-se o OBQ-44 ao Português Brasileiro, aplicou-se essa versão inicial a 20 pacientes com TOC, observando sua compreensão e adequações linguísticas. Retro-traduzido, gerou-se uma versão final aprovada pela autora. Sua versão brasileira mostrou-se de fácil compreensão e apto a pacientes de classes sócioeconômicas diversas e na identificação dos domínios de crenças em pacientes com TOC, auxiliando na compreensão da origem e manutenção do transtorno. Na segunda etapa, avaliaram-se suas propriedades psicométricas em 104 pacientes com TOC, dos quais 48 realizaram 12 sessões semanais de Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental em Grupo (TCCG) e 56 permaneceram em lista de espera, no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Pela análise fatorial, identificaram-se 3 domínios de crenças da escala original, consistência interna muito boa e reprodutibilidade boa. Após intervenção, a sensibilidade à mudança foi boa e quanto ao tamanho de efeito padronizado, verificouse forte intensidade. A versão brasileira do OBQ-44 apresentou boas propriedades psicométricas, mostrando-se útil ao estudo de crenças disfuncionais em pacientes com TOC e sua modificação com o tratamento. / The aim of this present Project was to translate and adapt the Obsessional Beliefs Questionnaire – OBQ-44 to the Brazilian Portuguese, and to verify its psychometric properties in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). During the first stage, the OBQ-44 was translated and adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese, and it was administrated to 20 patients with OCD to observe its comprehension and linguistic accuracies. After being back-translated, a final version was developed and approved by the author. Its Brazilian version presents to be easily comprehended and suitable to be used with patients belonging to several socio-economic classes, and to identify the belief domains in patients with OCD, assisting the understanding of the origin and maintenance of the disorder. During the second stage, its psychometric properties were evaluated in 104 patients with OCD, of whom 48 underwent 12 weekly sessions of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT), and 56 remained on the waiting list, at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Through factor analysis, 3 belief domains from the original scale were identified, very good internal consistence, and good reproducibility. After intervention, the sensitiveness to changes was good and, regarding the standardized measures of effect, a strong intensity was verified. The Brazilian version of the OBQ-44 presented good psychometric properties and value to the study of dysfunctional beliefs in patients with OCD and the alterations after treatment.

Não existem instrumentos validados para o português do Brasil que avaliem a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) em dispepsia funcional (DF). Esse tipo de avaliação tem se tornado cada vez mais importante para análise do desfecho de ensaios clínicos e para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas transculturais em pacientes dispépticos funcionais. Objetivo: traduzir e validar o questionário doença-específico de QVRS “Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders – Quality of Life (PAGI-QOL)” em DF. Metodologia: estudo transversal para validação. Após adequado processo de tradução, 5 testes psicométricos foram realizados. Para cada teste um número variável de pessoas foi avaliado, considerando cálculo amostral: consistência interna (n=150 casos e 150 controles), reprodutibilidade (n=44 casos), a validade de conteúdo contou com a participação de 3 gastroenterologistas experientes em distúrbios funcionais “cegos” para o estudo; validade de critério (n=113 casos) e validade discriminante (n=86 casos e 86 controles). Grupo de casos: pacientes dispépticos funcionais diagnosticados segundo Critério de Roma III. Grupo controle: doadores de sangue que não apresentavam sintomas gastrointestinais e outras co-morbidades clinicamente relevantes. Amostras foram coletadas por conveniência e consecutivamente e completaram os questionários PAGI-QOL e SF-36 versão 2. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Consentimento informado foi assinado por todos os indivíduos. Resultados: consistência interna: 0,976 (α de Cronbach); reprodutibilidade dos escores totais: 0,841 (coeficiente de correlação intra-classe); e valor p = 0,331 para diferença entre as duas observações; validade de critério entre o escore total do PAGI-QOL e os escores dos componentes físicos e mentais do SF-36 versão 2: rs = -0,289 (p = 0,002) e rs = -0,437 (p <0,001), respectivamente; validade discriminante para todos os domínios: p<0,0001 (Mann-Whitney). Validade de conteúdo foi adequada. Conclusão: O PAGI-QOL em português do Brasil é um questionário válido e confiável para avaliar a QVRS em DF. / There are no validated instruments to Brazilian Portuguese to assess health related quality of life (HRQoL) in functional dyspepsia (FD). This type of assessment has become increasingly important with the objective of evaluating outcomes in clinical trials and development of cross-cultural research in FD patients. Objective: To translate and validate the HRQOL disease-specific questionnaire "Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders - Quality of Life (PAGI-QoL)" in FD. Methodology: cross sectional study for validation. After an adequate the translation process, 5 psychometric tests were performed. For each of them a variable number of individuals were assessed, considering sample size calculation: internal consistency (n = 150 patients and 150 controls), reproducibility (n = 44 patients), content validity with the participation of 3 gastroenterologists experienced in functional gastrointestinal disorders, blinded to the study; concurrent validity = n = 113 patients and discriminant validity = 86 patients and 86 controls. FD patients: diagnosed according to Rome III criteria. Control group: blood donors who had no gastrointestinal symptoms and no other clinically relevant co-morbidities. Both samples were collected by convenience and consecutively, and completed questionnaires PAGI-QoL and SF-36 version 2. The study was approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee. Informed consent form was signed by all individuals. Results: Internal consistency: 0.976 (Cronbach's α), reproducibility of total scores: 0.841 (correlation coefficient of intra-class) and p value = 0.331 for differences between the two observations; concurrent validity between the total score of the PAGI-QOL and the scores of physical and mental components of SF-36 version 2: rs = -0,289 (p = 0.002) and rs = -0,437 (p <0.001), respectively; discriminant validity for all domains: p <0.0001 (Mann-Whitney). Content validity was adequate. Conclusion: The PAGI-QoL in Brazilian Portuguese language is a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess HRQoL in FD.

O tema da presente pesquisa é o burnout no contexto esportivo, mais especificamente os fatores preditores do burnout em atletas brasileiros profissionais de futsal. O objetivo principal foi avaliar e testar o Inventário de Fatores Preditores do Burnout em Atletas (IFPBA-24), tendo como suporte três modelos teóricos: (1) Modelo Afetivo-Cognitivo de Estresse; (2) Modelo de Resposta Negativa ao Estresse de Treinamento Físico e (3) Modelo da Perspectiva Social. Para cumprir esse objetivo foram conduzidos três estudos; cabe ressaltar que a pesquisa faz parte de um estudo maior e continuado sobre os modelos de competições esportivas. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS – sob o número 271.526. Estudo 1: O primeiro estudo realizou a redução dos itens do Inventário de Sinais e Sintomas do Burnout em Atletas (ISSBA-60), por meio da análise fatorial exploratória, em seguida, testou-se a validade confirmatória do modelo proposto com base nos 24 itens retidos na primeira análise e avaliou-se a consistência interna dos fatores do novo instrumento: Inventário de Fatores Preditores do Burnout em Atletas (IFPBA-24). A amostra foi composta de 130 atletas brasileiros profissionais de futsal, todos do sexo masculino, da faixa etária de 18 a 36 anos, que disputaram a Taça Brasil de Futsal-Adulto-Masculino (Divisão Especial). Os resultados demonstraram que, com base nos procedimentos de análise fatorial realizados, foram selecionados 24 itens, igualmente distribuídos em seis fatores (Sensação de impotência diante dos treinamentos e competições, Exaustão física, Baixa percepção de competência, Dificuldade de conciliar vida esportiva e vida social, Exaustão emocional e Sensação de incapacidade de melhorar o desempenho nos treinamentos e nas competições), que explicaram 61,75% da variância total. Uma análise fatorial confirmatória avaliou o novo modelo do IFPBA-24, e todos os índices ( x2/gl = 1,85; GFI = 0,930; AGFI = 0,912; RMS = 0,082) apresentaram valores adequados. Os seis fatores apresentaram índices Alpha de Cronbach que variaram de 0,67 a 0,75. O conjunto desses resultados indica que o novo modelo apresenta adequado índice de validade e de consistência interna. Estudo 2: Este estudo explorou possíveis semelhanças e diferenças no conjunto dos níveis do burnout em atletas, controlando as variáveis escolaridade, anos de profissionalização (até seis anos e mais de seis anos de prática profissional) e presença, ou não, de lesões no último ano. O estudo contou com a participação de uma amostra de 130 atletas brasileiros profissionais de futsal – dependente do “Estudo 1”, com idades de 18 a 36 anos. Os resultados obtidos indicam não haver diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) nas respostas dos atletas, quando essas variáveis são controladas. Estudo 3: Este estudo apresentou a ocorrência de possíveis diferenças significativas ou semelhanças estatísticas entre fatores preditores de burnout em atletas. A amostra foi a mesma do segundo estudo. Os resultados obtidos indicam que há semelhanças estatísticas (p > 0,05) e diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) entre os escores dos fatores preditores do burnout em atletas. Estes resultados permitem concluir que, os fatores preditores do burnout em atletas brasileiros profissionais de futsal com níveis mais elevados são: “Dificuldade de conciliar vida esportiva e vida social” e a “Exaustão física”; enquanto que os fatores com níveis menos elevados são: “Sensação de impotência diante dos treinamentos e competições” e a “Baixa percepção de competência”. / The theme of this research is burnout in the sporting context, more specifically the predictors of burnout in professional futsal Brazilian athletes. The main objective was to evaluate and test the Inventory Factors Predictors of Burnout in Athletes (IFPBA-24), supported by three theoretical models: (1) Cognitive-Affective Model of Stress; (2) Model Negative Response to Stress and Physical Training (3) Model of Social Perspective. To fulfill this goal three studies were conducted, it should be noted that the research is part of a larger study and continued on models of sports competitions. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS - under the protocol number 271.526. Study 1: The first study was conducted to reduce the items of the Inventory of Signs and Symptoms of Burnout in Athletes (ISSBA-60), through the exploratory factor analysis, and then was tested the confirmatory validity of the proposed model based on the 24 items retained in first review and was evaluated the internal consistency of the dimensions of the new instrument: Inventory Factors Predictors of Burnout in Athletes (IFPBA-24). The sample was composed by 130 brazilian futsal professional athletes, all male, with age ranged 18-36 years who compete in the Cup Brazil Futsal-Adult-Male (Special Branch). The results showed that on the basis of factor analytic procedures conducted 24 items were selected, equally distributed in six dimensions (Sensation of helplessness before training and competitions, Physical exhaustion, Low perception of competence, Difficulty of reconciling sporting life and social life, Exhaustion emotional, Sensation and inability to improve performance in training and competition), which explained 61.75% of the total variance. A confirmatory factor analysis evaluated the new model of the IFPBA-24, and all indexes (x2/gl = 1.85, GFI = 0.930, AGFI = 0.912, RMS = 0.082) showed appropriate values. The six dimensions had Cronbach's alpha indices ranging from 0.67 to 0.75. Taken together, these results indicate that the new model provides adequate level of validity and internal consistency. Study 2: This study explored possible similarities and differences in all the levels of burnout in athletes, controlling variables, education, years of professionalization (up to six years and more than six years of professional practice) and the presence or absence of lesions in the last year. The study involved the participation of a sample of 130 Brazilian futsal professional athletes - dependent "Study 1", aged 18-36 years. The results indicate no significant differences (p <0.05) in the responses of athletes, when these variables are controlled. Study 3: This study showed the occurrence of possible differences or similarities between statistical predictors of burnout in athletes. The sample was the same as in the second study. The results indicate that there are similarities statistics (p > 0,05) and significant differences (p < 0,05) between the scores of the predictors of burnout in athletes. These results suggest that the predictors of burnout in professional futsal Brazilian athletes with higher levels are: “Difficulty of reconciling sporting life and social life and “Physical exhaustion”; and factors at lower levels are: “Sensation of helplessness before training and competitions” and “Low perception of competence”.

M.A. / Career counselling is an activity that influences a wide range of people, from primary school age, to adults in their fifties and sixties. Current writers on the subject, for example Hansen (1997), and Gysbers (1998) are increasingly bringing out the view that career development is a life span issue, and that it affects other life roles. This view should also be seen in conjunction with post-modern approaches to careers and work. These approaches emphasise the rapid technological changes of the 1990's, and the increasing unpredictability and uncertainty in careers. These factors create new and demanding roles for career counsellors, who will have to increase their range of skills. The above factors illustrate the importance of career counselling, and the purpose of this study is to attempt to fill a perceived gap in the literature, and provide more information on the status and standing of career counselling in South Africa as practised by registered psychologists. Questionnaires were issued by mail to a sample of registered psychologists, and their responses form the data for this study. Aspects to be investigated include the training of career counsellors, how long they have been in practice, what tests they use, which counselling methods they follow, and what their opinions are concerning the practice of career counselling in South Africa. A theoretical overview of career counselling models is presented, and an examination of recent trends in career counselling is set forth. A quantitative analysis will provide a more detailed breakdown of the responses of the members of the sample, while a qualitative analysis will list the main themes detailed by the respondents. Projections are undertaken to illustrate possible scenarios concerning the amount of time available for psychologists to provide career counselling for students. The recommendations arising from the study may be summarised as follows. Ensure that career guidance programs be installed in as many schools as possible. Increase the amount of training that career counsellors receive, and examine the possibility of specialisation in career counselling. Attempt to increase the role that businesses play in the career counselling process at schools. Ensure that the needs of minority and disadvantaged groups are met. Implement further research to examine which other groups besides registered psychologists are performing career counselling.

The recent shift to a culture of competence has permeated several areas of professional psychology, including competency identification, competency-based education training, and competency assessment. A competency framework has also been applied to various programs and specialty areas within psychology, such as clinical, counseling, clinical health, school, cultural diversity, neuro-, gero-, child, and pediatric psychology. Despite the spread of competency focus throughout psychology, few standardized measures of competency assessment have been developed. To the authors' knowledge, only four published studies on measures of competency assessment in psychology currently exist. While these measures demonstrate significant steps in progressing the assessment of confidence, three of these measures were designed for use with individual programs, two of these international (i.e., UK and Taiwan). The current study applied the seminal Competency Benchmarks, via a recently adapted benchmarks form (i.e., Practicum Evaluation form; PEF), to practicum students at the University of North Texas. In addition to traditional supervisor ratings, the present study also involved self-, peer supervisor, and peer supervisee ratings to provide 360-degree evaluations. Item-response theory (IRT) was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PEF and inform potential revisions of this form. Supervisor ratings of competency were found to fit the Rasch model specified, lending support to use of the benchmarks framework as assessed by this form. Self- and peer-ratings were significantly correlated with supervisor ratings, indicating that there may be some utility to 360-degree evaluations. Finally, as predicted, foundational competencies were rated as significantly higher than functional competencies, and competencies improved significantly with training. Results of the current study provide clarity about the utility of the PEF and inform our understanding of practicum-level competencies.

[pt] O Ages and Stages Questionnaire Terceira Edição (ASQ-3) é um teste de screening usado para detectar atrasos no desenvolvimento em crianças na idade pré-escolar. Apesar de ter sido traduzido para diversas línguas como Espanhol, Francês, Dinamarquês, Holandês, Coreano e Chinês, o ASQ ainda não foi traduzido para o Português ou estudado no Brasil. Neste estudo, as propriedades psicométricas do ASQ-BR foram examinadas para compreender a eficácia do instrumento no sistema público de creches e pré-escolas. A retro-tradução foi utilizada, e adaptações culturais foram feitas para assegurar a adaptação completa do teste para a cultura brasileira. A versão final do ASQ-BR foi aplicada em uma amostra de 46.650 crianças em creches públicas do município do Rio de Janeiro. A Teoria Clássica dos Testes (TCT; Alfa de Cronbach e Correlação Item-Total), e a Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI) baseada na análise de Mokken (H de Loevinger e rho de MS) e modelo de análise de Rasch (médias quadráticas de infit e outfit, confiabilidade de itens e pessoas) foram usadas. O coeficiente alfa de Cronbach oscilou entre 0.52 e 0.89, e a Correlação Item-Total revelou apenas 50 dos 570 itens (8.8 por cento) abaixo de 0.30. A análise de Mokken corroborou com a TCT. Na análise Rasch, apenas 53 dos 570 itens (9.3 por cento) mostraram problemas de ajuste, mas nenhum item apresentou infit maior que 2.0. Confiabilidade da Pessoa variou entre 0.34 e 0.62 e Confiabilidade do Item oscilou entre 0.83 e 0.99. No geral, o instrumento mostrou boas propriedades psicométricas. Os resultados e o uso da SQ-BR no sistema público de creches e pré-escolas são discutidos. / [en] The Ages and Stages Questionnaire Third Edition (ASQ-3) is a screening test used to detect developmental delays in pre-school children. Despite being translated for many languages such as Spanish, French, Danish, Dutch, Korean and Chinese, ASQ have not been translated to Brazilian Portuguese or studied in Brazil yet. In this study, Psychometric properties of ASQ-BR were examined to understand the effectiveness of the instrument in public child care centers system. Back-translation was used and, cultural adaptations were made to assure the full adaptation of the test to Brazilian culture. The final version of ASQ-BR was used in 45,650 children in public child care centers from Rio de Janeiro. Classical Test Theory (CTT; Cronbach’s alpha and item-to-total correlations), and Item Response Theory (IRT) based on Mokken analysis (Loevinger’s H and MS rho) and Rasch modeling analysis (infit and outfit mean squares, and person and item reliability) were used. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha ranged from 0.52 to 0.89, and item-to-total correlations revealed only 50 of 570 items (8.8 per cent) under 0.30. Mokken analysis corroborated with CTT indexes. In Rasch analysis, only 53 of 570 (9.3 per cent) items showed misfit problems, but no item presented infit higher than 2.0. Person reliability ranged from 0.34 to 0.62 and item reliability ranged from 0.83 to 0.99. Overall, the instrument showed good psychometric properties. The results and the usage of ASQ-BR in public child care system are discussed.

Les troubles mentaux sont une problématique considérable depuis plusieurs années. Afin de mieux répondre aux besoins des personnes atteintes de troubles mentaux, le Code des professions a redéfini les champs d’exercices de certaines professions touchées par cette problématique, dont les conseillers et conseillères d'orientation. Pour l’évaluation des personnes atteintes de troubles mentaux, les instruments psychométriques s’avèrent des outils d’évaluation fort utiles aux c.o. Le questionnaire Adult Self -Report (ASR), nouvellement traduit en français pour le Canada, est l’instrument de l’ASEBA permettant l’évaluation de l’adulte selon sa propre autoévaluation. Des analyses bivariées et multivariées ont été effectuées et ont donné lieu à des résultats appuyant la validité critériée de l’ASR. Les résultats suggèrent que l’ASR a une bonne validité critériée pour l’identification des personnes atteintes de problèmes psychiatriques nécessitant une hospitalisation.

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document / Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / unrestricted

The purpose of the study is to explore the psychological profile of South African police trainees. A literature study highlighted three important pretrauma variables that can influence an individual’s resilience when stressful circumstances occur. These variables include coping behaviour, personality characteristics and psychological distress. The primary goal of the research was to explore whether a relationship exists between these pretrauma variables and if demographic differences occur. Police officers in South Africa are exposed to violent circumstances, which can have a negative impact on their psychological functioning; it is therefore important to explore which psychological profiles are more likely to result in resilience. Studies such as this one can be used to facilitate the selection of resilient police officers in South Africa. A quantitative research investigation was conducted using three instruments namely, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R). As a secondary aim, the psychometric properties of these instruments were briefly explored. A sample of 150 police trainees was selected to take part in the research study during their first six months in training, before entering the field. The selected sample size yielded a total of 142 completed tests. The participants were selected using a method of stratified random sampling, which resulted in an equal distribution of male and female trainees. The results confirm that the trainees are more likely to use adaptive coping mechanisms, and are generally psychologically healthy. As expected, significant relationships exist between the three pretrauma variables under investigation. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted