Browsing by Author "Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa"
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- Examination of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory—short form among Portuguese young adults: psychometrics and measurement invariancePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; DeLisi, Matt; Freitas, Andreia; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Nunes, CristinaThe Weinberger Adjustment Inventory-Short Form (WAI-SF) is a multidimensional measure of behavioral adjustment frequently used with forensic, clinical, and community populations. However, no previous studies have examined the WAI-SF from a more modern psychometric perspective including second-order models, measurement invariance and a better estimation of reliability. The current sample is composed of female and male young adults (N = 610, M = 21.33 years, SD = 3.09, range = 18-37) from a university context in Portugal. Results indicated that both the four-factor intercorrelated and the four-factor second order models of the WAI-SF Distress and Restraint scales showed good fits. The WAI-SF Distress and Restraint scales were negatively and significantly correlated, and the intercorrelations between the subscales of each scale ranged from moderate to high. The WAI-SF scales and subscales mostly showed adequate to good reliability in terms of McDonald's Omega and the more traditional Cronbach's Alpha. Strong cross-gender measurement invariance was demonstrated, with females scoring significantly higher than males on the Anxiety subscale of the Distress scale, and on the Suppression of Aggression, Impulse Control, Consideration of Others, Responsibility subscales, and Restraint scale. The WAI-SF scales and subscales showed distinctive correlates with other measures (e.g., low self-control, psychopathy) and variables (e.g., delinquency seriousness, substance use). Considering our findings, the use of the WAI-SF is recommended among the Portuguese young adult population and its use in criminological research is encouraged.
- Psychometric Properties of a Short Version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 among a School Sample of Portuguese AdolescentsPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Oliveira, João Pedro; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Jesus, Saul Neves deThe main aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of a 18-items short version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale - 11 short among a Portuguese school sample (N =543) of male and female adolescents. The BIS-11 short version demonstrated good psychometric properties, namely in terms of its three-factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. In terms of criterion-related validity positive correlations were found with Conduct Disorder symptoms, alcohol use, cannabis use, and unprotected sex (i.e., sex without using condoms). The psychometric properties of the BIS-11 short version generally justify its use among Portuguese adolescents.
- Psychometric properties of Basic Empathy Scale among female juvenile delinquents and school youthsPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Kahn, Rachel E.; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Ray, James V.Research on empathy often distinguishes between affective and cognitive empathy, but there is limited knowledge regarding the application or measurement of these two dimensions of empathy among female youth, especially forensic samples of female youth. The main aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) among a Portuguese sample of female youths (N = 377), composed of incarcerated female juvenile offenders (n = 103) and school youths (n = 274). The two-factor structure of the BES obtained a good fit among the school sample, but the fit among the forensic sample was poor. Both samples demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in terms of Cronbach's alpha, omega coefficient, mean inter item correlations, corrected item-total correlation range, and criterion validity. However, some caution is advised when using the BES with female youth involved in the juvenile justice system, particularly with incarcerated female youth. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Psychometric properties of the socially desirable response Set-5 among incarcerated male and female juvenile offendersPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Ayala-Nunes, Lara; Oliveira, João Pedro; Nunes, Cristina; Gonçalves, Rui AbrunhosaThe main aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Socially Desirable Response Set-5 (SDRS-5) among a forensic sample (N = 324) of incarcerated male (n = 221) and female (n = 103) juvenile offenders. The Portuguese validation of the SDRS-5 demonstrated good psychometric properties, namely in terms of its factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity that overall justifies its use among this population. Findings are discussed in terms of the use of the SDRS-5 with male and female juvenile offenders. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- The barratt impulsiveness scale-11 among a school sample of portuguese male and female adolescentsPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Ayala-Nunes, Lara; Ray, James V.; Nunes, Cristina; Gonçalves, Rui AbrunhosaFew personality traits are as socially relevant as impulsivity, but few self-report measures have been specifically developed for adolescents and children. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11) among a mixed-gender sample of 782 Portuguese youth (M = 15.87 years; SD = 1.72), in a school context. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the expected 6-factor first-order structure, but the 3-factor second-order factorial structure did not present a good fit. Cross-gender measurement invariance was demonstrated only in terms of weak invariance. Nonetheless, the Portuguese adaptation of the BIS-11 demonstrated some generally acceptable psychometric properties of internal consistency, mean inter-item correlation, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity of statistically significant associations with conduct disorder symptoms, alcohol abuse, drug use, and unprotected sex. The use of the BIS-11 among the male and female youth population is psychometrically justified, and it can be a useful measure to identify impulsive adolescents who are at considerable risk of personal injury and present a potential source of injury to others.
- The inventory of callous–unemotional traits: psychometric properties among referred and non-referred portuguese female juvenilesPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Ray, James V.; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Jesus, SaúlThe presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits delineates a subgroup of male youth with severe conduct disorder and antisocial behavior, but little research has been done among female youth. Drawing on 377 female adolescents (103 selected from forensic settings and 274 selected from school settings) from Portugal, the current study is the first to simultaneously examine the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU) in incarcerated female youth and community youth. The results support the use of the ICU in terms of its factor structure, and internal consistency despite the fact an item had to be removed from the Callousness dimension. Statistically significant positive associations were found with measures of psychopathic traits and aggression, as well as non-significant associations with empathy and social anxiety. Significant associations were also found with several indicators of delinquent careers including age of criminal onset, age of first contact with the law, Conduct Disorder symptoms and diagnosis, crime seriousness, previous violent offending, number of criminal charges, alcohol use, and drug use. Findings are discussed in terms of the use of the ICU among female juvenile offenders and community youths.
- The Social anxiety scale for adolescents: Measurement invariance and psychometric properties among a school sample of portuguese youthsPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Ayala-Nunes, Lara; Nunes, Cristina; Maroco, João; Gonçalves, Rui AbrunhosaOver the last decades there has been an increased interest in assessing social anxiety in adolescents. This study aims to validate the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) to Portuguese youth, and to examine its invariance across gender as well as its psychometric properties. The participants were 782 Portuguese youths (371 males, 411 females), with an average age of 15.87 years (SD = 1.72). The results support the original three-factor structure of the SAS-A, with measurement invariance being found across gender, with females scoring higher than males on two subscales. High levels of internal consistency were found. Positive associations with empathy demonstrated that high socially anxious adolescents have elevated empathy tendencies. Mostly null or low negative associations were found with measures of psychopathic traits, callous-unemotional traits and aggression. Study findings provide evidence that the SAS-A is a psychometrically sound instrument that shows measurement invariance between genders, good reliability and positive correlations with empathy.