María Elena de la Peña Fernández

Psychometric properties of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) in a community sample of couples

BACKGROUND This study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). METHOD A sample of 1,180 participants, 590 adult heterosexual couples, from the Community of Madrid was examined via confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS The results indicate that the factor structure of this scale fits the hierarchical factor model proposed by the test authors. The internal consistency, estimated using Cronbachs alpha coefficient was satisfactory for the total scale (alpha = .80) and ranged from .13 to .88 for the subscales. Convergent validity was adequate in comparison to the Negotiation subscale (emotional and cognitive) from the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2). No significant differences were observed between genders. Finally, concordance or agreement between partners was high. The lowest agreement was found for the Affectional Expression subscale. CONCLUSIONS After examining the psychometric properties, the DAS was found to be a reliable and valid measurement of the sampled community of couples.

Psychometrical properties of the "How I Think" Questionnaire (HIT-Q) in adolescents

BACKGROUND The How I Think Questionnaire (HIT-Q) was developed to measure the main categories of self-serving cognitive distortions. METHOD The present study analyses the psychometric properties of the HIT-Q Spanish-Version. The sample consisted of 1.490 Spanish-speaking adolescents recruited from various schools in Madrid (Spain). The participants had a mean age of 15.37 years (SD = 1.67). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) showed that the underlying structure of the HIT-Q was best explained by a six-factor solution (Self-Centred, Blaming Others, Minimizing/Mislabelling, Assuming the Worst, Anomalous Responses and Positive Fillers). CONCLUSIONS After examination of its psychometric properties, it was concluded that the Spanish version of the HIT-Q is a reliable and valid measure of self-serving cognitive distortions in Spanish adolescents.

Psychometric evaluation of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire in a Spanish sample of offenders

BACKGROUND The Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) is a self-report instrument designed to predict recidivism among adult criminal offenders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of this self-report in a Spanish sample of offenders. METHOD The questionnaire was administered to 276 offenders recruited from various prisons in Madrid (Spain). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the underlying structure of SAQ was best explained by a one-factor solution. SAQ total scores exhibited high levels of internal consistency (.92). Correlations of the instrument with violence risk measures were statistically significant and had a moderate magnitude, indicating a reasonable degree of concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS After examination of its psychometric properties, it was concluded that the SAQ total score is a reliable and valid measure to estimate violence risk in Spanish offenders.