Confiabilidade, validade e estudo dos padrões normativos da versão brasileira do Social Support Appraisals (SSA)

Abstract

In scientific studies, using measuring instruments it is necessary to observe issues of reliability, validity and standardization of results. In the national literature, the Brazilian version of the Social Support Appraisals (SSA) is the only instrument available for studies of Cross-cultural translation, specific for the assessment of social support for children and adolescents. The objectives of this study: 1 - Assess the reliability and construct validity of the Brazilian version of the Social Support Appraisals 2 - Establish regulatory standards of the Brazilian version of the SSA for children and adolescents aged between nine and 18. The specific objectives were: a) to assess the social support perceived by children and adolescents aged between nine and 18 years, b) to investigate the sources encompassed by Other subscale, and c) to evaluate the socio-emotional development of participants aged between 11 and 18 years. The study group was comprised of 766 children and adolescent aged between nine and 18 years who are high and elementary students of eleven public schools in three cities in the state of Sao Paulo. To collect data we used the Identification Form, the Brazilian version of the SSA and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The results of factor analysis indicated five factors with a structure in which single items were found in the factor F5. Therefore, the respective items were excluded and analyzes were made after considering the 23 remaining items of the Brazilian version of the SSA. The internal consistency index alpha was equal to 0.89 for the total scale, .83 for subscale family, friends 0.80, 0.80 and 0.77 other teachers. Divergent validity was found between the SSA and the SDQ has been partially satisfactory, because there were negative correlations between the subscales of both instruments. Regulatory standards have been established through the criterion Intragrupo. The specific objectives encompassed a) the family was the main source of support perceived b) respond to the items of the Other subscale participants indicated in their majority, who think of their family members and friends, c) where there was clinical prevalence of conduct problems and emotional symptoms. It is considered that this study allows us to offer the Brazilian version of the SSA for use in future research in order to continue the research on social support and associations with variables related to the development of children and adolescents and their family background . Also, this research brings advances in knowledge about the role of social support in the development and health.