Evidências psicométricas da versão brasileira do Inventário de Evitação de Young-Rygh (YRAI) e do Inventário de Compensação de Young (YCI)

Abstract

Schema Therapy (ST) is a therapeutic, systematic and integrative approach, inspired by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), also encompassing elements from other older theories. ST helps to understand and change mental patterns, with cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns, which can influence the formation of identity, and cause psychological distress or development of psychopathologies. Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) are mental structures, with dysfunctional patterns, that begin to form childhood and consolidate adolescence. These schemes are formed by patterns of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and memories, and become more complex, and superimposed on later experiences, acting as a stable and lasting model that is perpetuated throughout life. The source of EMS’s are the fundamental emotional needs not supplied, or harmful experiences in family relationships with parents, caregivers or peer groups. As a defense mechanism of painful schematic activation, affected individuals can develop different kinds of Copyng Styles (CS). The objective of the CS is to combat and alter the schematic activation, so as not to experience the painful emotions generated by the schema. Since the strategies used can cause momentary damage to the unpleasant feelings of the schematic activation, but do not work as the long-term resolution, there is a tendency to reinforce the schema. There are three general ways of manifesting CS: Resignation, Avoidance and Compensation. In resignation, the individual accepts the presence of a schema, pressing the scheme is true, yielding to its activation. In Avoidance or individual, look for ways to escape or avoid the schematic approach. In Compensation, or Hypercompensation, an individual's tendency is to fight against the content of the schema, to think, feel and behave in exactly the opposite and exaggerated way. In order to assess, identify and use the development strategy developed by the Young-Rygh Avoidance Inventory (YRAI) and the Young Compensation Inventory (YCI). YRAI (40 items) and YCI (48 items) are self-report instruments with a six-point Likert scale measurement. The present dissertation aims to present the study of changes in the validity of YRAI and YCI for use in Brazil. First, a theoretical section on ST is published, including the concepts of EMSs and CS, presenting the instruments and previous validations recorded in other countries. An empirical dissertation section is divided into two studies. The first study, entitled “Evidence of validity of the Brazilian version of the Young-Rygh Avoidance Inventory (YRAI)” shows the process of exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency and convergent validity. The sample consisted of 504 adults from the general population,with an average age of 34.2 years (SD = 12.9). The instruments used were the sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Young Schema Questionnaire - Brief Version (YSQ-S3), a Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R) and the YRAI. Data collection was performed through the online platform. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the distribution of factors, and a convergent analysis with Spearman's nonparametric correlation with SCL-90-R and YSQ-S3, to verify statistics with psychopathological symptoms and schemes. The analysis resulted in three factors: somatization and search for stimulation, cognitive avoidance and emotional retraction. The instrument showed substantial levels of internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha> 0.62 for the three factors. The interpretation of the statistics for the construction validity was consistent with the theory. It was concluded that the Brazilian version of YRAI has good psychometric properties and is valid for use in the population. In the second study, entitled “Evidence of Validity of the Brazilian Version of the Young Compensation Inventory (YCI)”, the process of exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency and convergent validity was presented. For this, 504 adults from the general population participated, with an average age of 34.2 years (SD = 12.9). The instruments used were the sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Young Schema Questionnaire - Brief Version (YSQ-S3), the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R) and the YCI. Data were collected through an online platform. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the distribution of factors and convergent validity, with a non-parametric Spearman correlation with SCL-90-R and YSQ-S3. The analysis resulted in four factors: Domination and Manipulation; Obsession and Organization; Rebelliousness and Independence; and Recognition Search. The scale showed acceptable levels of internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha> 0.70 for the four factors. The result of construct validity proved to be adequate according to the theory, generating advances in the empirical understanding of the model. It was concluded that the adapted version has good psychometric properties, and can be applied to the Brazilian population.