Brazilian-Portuguese version of defensive style questionnaire-40 for the assessment of defense mechanisms: construct validity study

• Published in: Psychotherapy research 2007-05, Vol.17 (3), p.261-270
• Main Authors: Blaya, Carolina, Dornelles, Marina, Blaya, Rodrigo, Kipper, Letícia, Heldt, Elizeth, Isolan, Luciano, Gus Manfro, Gisele, Bond, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1050-3307; 1468-4381
• DOI: 10.1080/10503300500485581

The aim of this study is to analyze the reliability and validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Defensive Style Questionnaire (DSQ). Participants were evaluated by clinical interview and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Reliability was assessed by factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. The 3-factor model's replication was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Controls were reevaluated after 4 months to assess test-retest reliability. Subsamples were also evaluated using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Defensive Functioning Scale (DFS). Factor analysis of the various defense mechanisms produced a distribution of mechanisms among the factors that was largely similar to previous analyses based on the original instrument. The 3-factor model was supported by CFA. The test-retest evaluation showed sufficient intraclass correlation for all factors. Patients used more immature and neurotic defenses than controls. There was a correlation between DFS and immature defenses. Individuals with pathological personality traits scored higher on the immature and neurotic factors than those without. The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the DSQ-40 has psychometric features that allow the use of this instrument in our culture.