Validation of scales for pathological love assessment

Authors

  • Marina Perito Berti Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Monica Levit Zilberman Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Eglacy Cristina Sophia Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Clarice Gorenstein Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Ana Paula Pereira Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Andréa Lorena Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Cidália Mello Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Táki Athanássios Cordás Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Hermano Tavares Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas; Instituto de Psiquiatria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000400004

Keywords:

Love, scales, compulsive behavior, validation, translating

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several methodologies were developed to validate psychometric instruments. However, there are, in the scientific literature, a lack of instruments to evaluate romantic relationship. OBJECTIVE: The present work aims at validating into Portuguese the content of the self-report Love Attitudes Scale (Escala de Atitudes do Amor - Hendrick et al., 1998), the Relationship Assessment Scale (Escala de Avaliação do Relacionamento - Hendrick, 1988), and the Adult Attachment Types (Tipos de Apego do Adulto - Hazan et al., 1987), taking the Brazilian cultural context into consideration, thus rendering the study of pathological love in the Brazilian population feasible. METHODS: Such process involved four stages: (1) translation into Portuguese, (2) back translation, (3) presentation of the translated version to mental health professionals and university students, and (4) application of the final version in a sample of the target population using a rating scale. RESULTS: The scales were easily understood and significantly discriminated individuals with pathological love and healthy volunteers. DISCUSSION: Our results show that the Brazilian version of these instruments is valid and may be used in investigations involving romantic relationships.

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Published

2011-01-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 4 (2011)

Section

Original Papers

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Validation of scales for pathological love assessment . (2011). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 38(4), 135-138. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000400004