José Pinto-Gouveia1, Teresa Carvalho2, Marina Cunha3, Joana Duarte1, Robyn D Walser4. 1. Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal. 2. Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: teresacarvalho.psi@gmail.com. 3. Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal. 4. NCPTSD Dissemination and Training Division, University of Berkeley, Palo Alto, CA, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Trauma Specific (AAQ-TS) is a self-report measure designed to assess-trauma-related psychological (in)flexibility, as conceptualized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. However, there are no studies to date regarding its psychometric properties. This study explores such properties in the Portuguese version of the AAQ-TS, in Portuguese Colonial War Veterans. METHOD: A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was conducted in a sample from the general population of war Veterans (N=371). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) as well as reliability and convergent validity studies were performed in a different sample from the same population (N=312). For the discriminant validity a clinical sample with a war-related PTSD (N=42) and a non-clinical sample without PTSD (N=44) were used. RESULTS: The CFA suggested a re-specified 15-item model with good global adjustment and factorial validity. The AAQ-TS showed internal consistency, a good temporal reliability, convergent validity with psychopathological symptoms (related to PTSD, anxiety, depression and stress) and peritraumatic dissociation (altered awareness and depersonalization/derealization). The questionnaire also discriminates between war Veterans with and without a PTSD diagnosis. LIMITATIONS: The major limitation relates to the samples' characteristics and sampling methods, which can limit the generalization of results. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the AAQ-TS is a reliable and valid measure to assess experiential avoidance related to trauma in Portuguese Colonial War Veterans.
BACKGROUND: The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Trauma Specific (AAQ-TS) is a self-report measure designed to assess-trauma-related psychological (in)flexibility, as conceptualized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. However, there are no studies to date regarding its psychometric properties. This study explores such properties in the Portuguese version of the AAQ-TS, in Portuguese Colonial War Veterans. METHOD: A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was conducted in a sample from the general population of war Veterans (N=371). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) as well as reliability and convergent validity studies were performed in a different sample from the same population (N=312). For the discriminant validity a clinical sample with a war-related PTSD (N=42) and a non-clinical sample without PTSD (N=44) were used. RESULTS: The CFA suggested a re-specified 15-item model with good global adjustment and factorial validity. The AAQ-TS showed internal consistency, a good temporal reliability, convergent validity with psychopathological symptoms (related to PTSD, anxiety, depression and stress) and peritraumatic dissociation (altered awareness and depersonalization/derealization). The questionnaire also discriminates between war Veterans with and without a PTSD diagnosis. LIMITATIONS: The major limitation relates to the samples' characteristics and sampling methods, which can limit the generalization of results. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the AAQ-TS is a reliable and valid measure to assess experiential avoidance related to trauma in Portuguese Colonial War Veterans.