Micheline Roat Bastianello

Adaptation and validation of the dispositional hope scale for adolescents

This paper describes the psychometric features and the validation process of the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS) for adolescents in the south of Brazil. This scale measures the Hope construct in terms of pathways and agency. The ADHS was translated to Portuguese and underwent a reverse translation. A sample of 450 students, from 14 to 18 years old (M=16.8 years, SD=3.4, 56% female), answered the ADHS, the Hope Index, the LOT-R and the Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Scale. A factorial analysis with varimax rotation showed that the scale is unidimensional and that its internal consistency was adequate (Cronbachs alpha = .80). No significant gender differences were found. Correlations of ADHS with the other constructs presented evidence of convergent validity in the present study.

Desenvolvimento e validação de uma escala de afetos positivos e negativos

The aim of this study was to construct a positive and negative affect scale (AS) and to search for validity evidence. The participants were 850 undergraduate students from southern Brazil, 57% female, with a mean age of 21 years (SD=3). A factor analysis extracted two factors: positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). The first one presented an eigenvalue of 5.1 explaining 25.6% of the total variance; the second factor presented an eigenvalue of 2,6 explaining 12.8% of the total variance. The internal consistency for PA was .83, and .77 for NA. High correlations between the two factors of the AS and PANAS were observed: .73 for PA and .74 for NA. It was also observed that PA had positive correlations with life satisfaction, hope, optimism, and self-esteem while NA presented negative correlations with those variables. These results indicate evidences of construct validity and appropriate psychometric properties.

Optimism, self-esteem and personality: adaptation and validation of the Brazilian Version Of The Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R)

Optimism can be defined in terms of positive and negative expectations regarding future life events. The aims of this study were to adapt and validate the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) for the Brazilian population, verify its psychometric characteristics, assess whether there are gender differences, and verify its relationships with self-esteem and personality. The participants were 844 university students from two public universities in the southern of Brazil, which answered the following tests: LOT-R, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Baterial Fatorial de Personalidade (BFP). Factor analysis extracted a single factor, corroborating the findings of the original scale and indicating that optimism and pessimism are probably polar opposites of a single continuum. The results showed positive correlation between self-esteem and optimism in life orientation, and negative correlation between optimism and neuroticism. In conclusion, the Brazilian version of the LOT-R is an instrument that presents appropriate psychometric characteristics and that is ready for use in the Brazilian population.O otimismo pode ser definido em termos de expectativas positivas e negativas com relacao a eventos de vida futuros. Os objetivos deste estudo foram adaptar e validar o Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) para a populacao brasileira, verificar suas caracteristicas psicometricas e avaliar se existem diferencas de sexo. Tambem investigou as correlacoes entre otimismo, autoestima e personalidade. O LOT-R foi traduzido e submetido a uma backtranslation. Participaram do estudo 844 universitarios de duas universidades publicas do sul do Brasil, que responderam aos seguintes instrumentos: LOT-R, Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg e Bateria Fatorial de Personalidade (BFP). analise fatorial extraiu um unico fator, corroborando os achados da escala original e indicando que otimismo e pessimismo sao, provavelmente, polos opostos de um mesmo continuum. Os resultados demonstram correlacao positiva entre autoestima e otimismo na orientacao para a vida, e correlacao negativa entre otimismo e neuroticismo. Conclui-se que a versao da LOT-R apresenta caracteristicas psicometricas adequadas e o instrumento encontra-se pronto para ser utilizado com a populacao brasileira.

Adaptation and validation of the hope index for Brazilian adolescents

This study aimed at adapting and validating the Staats Hope Index for Brazilian adolescents. Participants were 450 high school students aged from 14 to 18 years old being 56% females. They responded to the Staats Hope Index, Adult Dispositional Hope Scale, Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A factor analysis extracted two factors, replicating the structure of the original scale. Coefficients alphas were .83 and .81, for each factor, respectively. The correlations of the Hope Index factors with dispositional hope, optimism and self-esteem were similar to the findings reported in the literature and indicated convergent validity. The results indicate that the Hope Index is valid to be used in Brazil and that hope is perceived similarly by Brazilians and Americans despite of some cultural differences.

Relationships Between Positive and Negative Affect and the Five Factors of Personality in a Brazilian Sample

Strong associations of Neuroticism and Extraversion with positive affects (PA) and negative affects (NA) have been reported in the international literature. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of such relationships in a Brazilian sample, and also to investigate the role of Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Openness in the prediction of PA and NA through the use of a hybrid structural model. Participants were 319 university students, between 17 and 37 years of age (mean = 21.5, SD = 4.9). Approximately 64% of the students were female and 36% male. Results showed that Neuroticism was the most important predictor of PA and NA, followed by Conscientiousness, but not Extraversion. Surprisingly, Agreeableness was shown to be a weak prediction for NA, but had no relationship with PA. As expected, Openness showed no relationship with PA or NA. These results are partially in agreement with the international literature but some important differences were detected.Strong associations of Neuroticism and Extraversion with positive affects (PA) and negative affects (NA) have been reported in the international literature. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of such relationships in a Brazilian sample, and also to investigate the role of Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Openness in the prediction of PA and NA through the use of a hybrid structural model. Participants were 319 university students, between 17 and 37 years of age (mean = 21.5, SD = 4.9). Approximately 64% of the students were female and 36% male. Results showed that Neuroticism was the most important predictor of PA and NA, followed by Conscientiousness, but not Extraversion. Surprisingly, Agreeableness was shown to be a weak prediction for NA, but had no relationship with PA. As expected, Openness showed no relationship with PA or NA. These results are partially in agreement with the international literature but some important differences were detected.

Adaptation and Validation of the Brazilian Version of the Hope Index

The objective of this study was to adapt and gather validity evidence for a Brazilian sample version of the Hope Index and to verify if cultural differences would produce different results than those found in the United States. In this study, we present a set of analyses that together comprise a comprehensive validity argument for the use of a test in a new language or culture. Participants were 844 undergraduate Brazilian students (mean age 21.3 years). A content validity study suggested that new items could be added to the scale. Factor analyses extracted two factors replicating the original instrument structure. The internal consistency was adequate with and without the added items. The results illustrate how different validation procedures can be used to support the use of an adapted version of a test, suggesting that in Brazil, researchers may choose the original adapted version (16 items) or the more emic version (21 items) depending on the objectives of their study. The indication that the Hope Index is valid in a Brazilian sample strengthens the idea that this construct may be universal. The results also stress the importance of conducting content validity studies as part of a cross-cultural adaptation of a test.

Do Otimismo Explicativo ao Disposicional: a Perspectiva da Psicologia Positiva

Optimism from the view of folks wisdom, through the philosophical discussions to empirical studies in Psychology is strongly associated with a positive outlook on life, especially in light of disruptive events. This paper presents two theoretical approaches and empirical research on optimism in the field of Positive Psychology. The prospect of Martin Seligman defines optimism as learned, related to explanatory style, while Michael Scheier and Charles Carver understand optimism from a dispositional dimension, based on generalized expectations. Different theoretical and methodological assumptions of these theories are presented, as well as studies from both theories in different cultures and with other variables, such as self-esteem and personality.O otimismo, a partir da sabedoria popular, passando pelas discussoes filosoficas ate os estudos empiricos em Psicologia esta fortemente associado a uma visao positiva da vida, especialmente diante de adversidades. O presente trabalho visa apresentar duas abordagens teoricas e de investigacao empirica sobre o otimismo no campo da Psicologia Positiva. A perspectiva de Seligman define o otimismo como aprendido, relacionado aos estilos explicativos, enquanto Scheier e Carver compreendem o otimismo a partir de uma dimensao disposicional, baseado em expectativas generalizadas. No presente estudo, salientam-se as diferentes posicoes teoricas e metodologicas, os estudos realizados em diferentes culturas e com variaveis, como autoestima e personalidade.

Development and validation of a positive and negative affect scale

The aim of this study was to construct a positive and negative affect scale (AS) and to search for validity evidence. The participants were 850 undergraduate students from southern Brazil, 57% female, with a mean age of 21 years (SD=3). A factor analysis extracted two factors: positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). The first one presented an eigenvalue of 5.1 explaining 25.6% of the total variance; the second factor presented an eigenvalue of 2,6 explaining 12.8% of the total variance. The internal consistency for PA was .83, and .77 for NA. High correlations between the two factors of the AS and PANAS were observed: .73 for PA and .74 for NA. It was also observed that PA had positive correlations with life satisfaction, hope, optimism, and self-esteem while NA presented negative correlations with those variables. These results indicate evidences of construct validity and appropriate psychometric properties.

Del Optimismo Explicativo al Disposicional: la Perspectiva de la Psicología Positiva

Optimism from the view of folks wisdom, through the philosophical discussions to empirical studies in Psychology is strongly associated with a positive outlook on life, especially in light of disruptive events. This paper presents two theoretical approaches and empirical research on optimism in the field of Positive Psychology. The prospect of Martin Seligman defines optimism as learned, related to explanatory style, while Michael Scheier and Charles Carver understand optimism from a dispositional dimension, based on generalized expectations. Different theoretical and methodological assumptions of these theories are presented, as well as studies from both theories in different cultures and with other variables, such as self-esteem and personality.O otimismo, a partir da sabedoria popular, passando pelas discussoes filosoficas ate os estudos empiricos em Psicologia esta fortemente associado a uma visao positiva da vida, especialmente diante de adversidades. O presente trabalho visa apresentar duas abordagens teoricas e de investigacao empirica sobre o otimismo no campo da Psicologia Positiva. A perspectiva de Seligman define o otimismo como aprendido, relacionado aos estilos explicativos, enquanto Scheier e Carver compreendem o otimismo a partir de uma dimensao disposicional, baseado em expectativas generalizadas. No presente estudo, salientam-se as diferentes posicoes teoricas e metodologicas, os estudos realizados em diferentes culturas e com variaveis, como autoestima e personalidade.

From Explanatory to Disposicional Optimism: a Perspective from Positive Psychology

Optimism from the view of folks wisdom, through the philosophical discussions to empirical studies in Psychology is strongly associated with a positive outlook on life, especially in light of disruptive events. This paper presents two theoretical approaches and empirical research on optimism in the field of Positive Psychology. The prospect of Martin Seligman defines optimism as learned, related to explanatory style, while Michael Scheier and Charles Carver understand optimism from a dispositional dimension, based on generalized expectations. Different theoretical and methodological assumptions of these theories are presented, as well as studies from both theories in different cultures and with other variables, such as self-esteem and personality.O otimismo, a partir da sabedoria popular, passando pelas discussoes filosoficas ate os estudos empiricos em Psicologia esta fortemente associado a uma visao positiva da vida, especialmente diante de adversidades. O presente trabalho visa apresentar duas abordagens teoricas e de investigacao empirica sobre o otimismo no campo da Psicologia Positiva. A perspectiva de Seligman define o otimismo como aprendido, relacionado aos estilos explicativos, enquanto Scheier e Carver compreendem o otimismo a partir de uma dimensao disposicional, baseado em expectativas generalizadas. No presente estudo, salientam-se as diferentes posicoes teoricas e metodologicas, os estudos realizados em diferentes culturas e com variaveis, como autoestima e personalidade.