Avaliação dimensional da versão em português da Conflict Tactics Scales Parent-Child: um instrumento de aferição de violência contra crianças e adolescentes

Abstract

The Conflict Tactics Scales: Parent-Child (CTSPC) is an instrument designed in English used to identify child abuse and negligence. Its original proposition consists of a basic module with three dimensions and the structure of items is divided in the following scales: Nonviolent Discipline; Psychological Aggression and Physical Aggression; and Corporal Punishment and Physical Maltreatment. This thesis aims at examining the psychometric characteristics regarding the dimensional adequacy of the Portuguese version of the CTSPC, and if the results converge to those found in previous studies and if they suggest the need for some modifications of the instrument. The data come from three studies that aimed at identifying the use of violence against children using CTSPC in three health services. The dimensional structure of the instrument was analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the strict sense. I feel a relatively good fit with loadings generally high, in two sectors of health, but the analysis of discriminant validity evidenced points to a possible higher order dimensional structure or that there is information from one item to another factor. To assess the lack of dimensional specification, an extensive exploratory analysis via Exploratory Factor Analysis in the CFA framework (E/CFA) was conducted. The model fit remained good, with high loadings and a substantial drop in correlation factor. Reordering items was suggested from the analysis of the three studies used in the present analysis. While there is some cross-loadings, one can identify another dimensional structure, in which items loading from psychological blocks grouping together to form new physical dimension and heinous acts of violence. This pattern of items was found in three studies although the items did not behave identically, but generally, presenting a coherent pattern. The reordering of the items can be interpreted as a new pattern in areas with growing violence. Although CTSPC may be capturing violence against children, the dimensional structure postulated by the authors of the instrument can not be corroborated. This non-sustainability of the original structure of CTSPC seems to point to new dimensions. More studies need to be made in this direction to search for a specification of items stable and consistent with this apparent structure. The use of CTSPC, as it is, deserves caution and its not being recommended until that question is fully explored. Therefore, it is evident that the line of study in evaluation, development and cultural adaptation of to assess CTSPC maltreatment of the child still deserves to be better explored. The findings of this study showed the need to review the Portuguese version of CTSPC or even invest in the construction of a new instrument through it to criticism guided by the ongoing debate among interested professionals