Fabiane Frota da Rocha Morgado

Scale development: ten main limitations and recommendations to improve future research practices

The scale development process is critical to building knowledge in human and social sciences. The present paper aimed (a) to provide a systematic review of the published literature regarding current practices of the scale development process, (b) to assess the main limitations reported by the authors in these processes, and (c) to provide a set of recommendations for best practices in future scale development research. Papers were selected in September 2015, with the search terms “scale development” and “limitations” from three databases: Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, with no time restriction. We evaluated 105 studies published between 1976 and 2015. The analysis considered the three basic steps in scale development: item generation, theoretical analysis, and psychometric analysis. The study identified ten main types of limitation in these practices reported in the literature: sample characteristic limitations, methodological limitations, psychometric limitations, qualitative research limitations, missing data, social desirability bias, item limitations, brevity of the scale, difficulty controlling all variables, and lack of manual instructions. Considering these results, various studies analyzed in this review clearly identified methodological weaknesses in the scale development process (e.g., smaller sample sizes in psychometric analysis), but only a few researchers recognized and recorded these limitations. We hope that a systematic knowledge of the difficulties usually reported in scale development will help future researchers to recognize their own limitations and especially to make the most appropriate choices among different conceptions and methodological strategies.

Zika virus and pregnant women: A psychological approach

Zika virus presents risk of physical harm to pregnant women, but the fear of infection is also affecting women around the world. There is a gap in the research on Zika virus in the areas involving the impact on the psychosocial well-being of pregnant women. Therefore, this study is aimed at the investigation of the psychosocial adjustment of pregnant women to the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy. We investigated 14 pregnant women who were classified in three different groups: six in the first trimester, five in the second trimester and three in the third trimester, aged from 28 to 40 years (33.43 ± 3.76 years). Content analysis was used to interpret data. Our results show that the psychosocial adjustment of participants was significantly negative and included five aspects: (1) negative feelings, (2) changes in family planning, (3) adopting new customs (avoiding places of risk, use of specific clothes and use of repellent), (4) changed attitudes regarding body image and (5) feeling of external demand regarding prevention. The fear of Zika virus infection and all its associated risks have a negative biopsychosocial impact on the pregnant women in this study.

IMAGEM CORPORAL NA INFÂNCIA: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA

Objetivo: Analisar a literatura cientifica referente a avaliacao da imagem corporal em criancas por meio de uma revisao integrativa da literatura. Fontes de dados: Foi realizado um cruzamento das palavras‑chave “body image” AND “child” nas bases de dados Scopus, Medline e Biblioteca Virtual de Saude. A pesquisa eletronica foi feita com base nos estudos publicados de janeiro de 2013 ate janeiro de 2016, com o intuito de verificar os mais atuais sobre o tema. Os criterios de exclusao foram: estudos em duplicata; cujos resumos nao estivessem disponiveis; nao empiricos; que nao avaliassem algum componente da imagem corporal; cuja amostra nao considerasse a idade alvo da presente pesquisa (criancas de 0 a 12 anos); que considerassem populacoes clinicas; e estudos nao disponiveis na integra. Sintese dos dados: Foram identificadas 7.681 referencias e, apos criterios de exclusao, 33 estudos foram analisados. Os resultados apontaram que as dimensoes perceptiva e atitudinal, com foco na insatisfacao corporal, tem sido exploradas, sendo avaliadas principalmente por escalas de silhuetas. Programas de intervencao foram desenvolvidos internacionalmente para prevenir o desenvolvimento de imagem corporal negativa em criancas. Conclusoes: As pesquisas incluidas na presente revisao avaliaram aspectos especificos da imagem corporal de criancas, especialmente a percepcao corporal e a insatisfacao corporal. Recomenda‑se o desenvolvimento de instrumentos especificos para criancas que busquem avaliar diferentes dimensoes da imagem corporal, tendo em vista a promocao do bem-estar psicossocial dos individuos ao longo de todo o desenvolvimento humano.ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse the scientific literature regarding the evaluation of body image in children through an integrative literature review. Data source: An intersection of the keywords “body image” AND “child” was conducted in Scopus, Medline and Virtual Health Library (BVS - Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde) databases. The electronic search was based on studies published from January 2013 to January 2016, in order to verify the most current investigations on the subject. Exclusion criteria were: articles in duplicate; no available summaries; not empirical; not assessing any component of body image; the sample did not consider the target age of this research (0 to 12 years old) and/or considered clinical populations; besides articles not fully available. Data synthesis: 7,681 references were identified, and, after the exclusion criteria were implemented, 33 studies were analysed. Results showed that the perceptual and attitudinal dimensions focusing on body dissatisfaction were explored, mainly evaluated by silhouette scales. Intervention programs were developed internationally to prevent negative body image in children. Conclusions: The studies included in this review evaluated specific aspects of body image in children, especially body perception and body dissatisfaction. The creation of specific tools for children to evaluate body image is recommended to promote the psychosocial well being of individuals throughout human development.

Adaptação transcultural da EMIC Stigma Scale para pessoas com hanseníase no Brasil

OBJETIVO Descrever o processo de adaptacao transcultural da “Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue – Stigma Scale” para pessoas afetadas por hanseniase no Brasil. METODOS Apos a autorizacao do autor da escala para seu uso no contexto nacional, deu-se inicio aos cinco passos do processo de adaptacao transcultural: (1) traducao, (2) reuniao de sintese, (3) retrotraducao, (4) […]ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Describe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the “Explanatory Model Interview Catalog – Stigma Scale” for people affected by leprosy in Brazil. METHODS After being authorized by the author of the scale to use it in the national context, we initiated the five steps process of cross-cultural adaptation: (1) translation, (2) synthesis meeting, (3) back-translation, (4) committee of experts and (5) pre-test. The internal consistency of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. RESULTS The 15 items of the scale’s original version were translated into Brazilian Portuguese. The adapted scale showed evidence of a good understanding of its content, attested both by experts and members of the target population. Its internal consistency was 0.64. CONCLUSIONS The adapted instrument shows satisfactory internal consistency. It may be useful in future studies that intend to provide broad situational analysis that supports solid public health programs with a focus on effective stigma reduction. In a later study, the construct’s validity, criterion, and reproducibility will be evaluated.