Avaliação do impacto de acontecimentos traumáticos na adolescência: validação da Impact of Event Scale-Revised

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to validate the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for Portuguese adolescents. The sample was composed of 383 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years. Other questionnaires were also used to assess centrality of shame memory and psychopathology symptoms. Alternative factor models of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results showed that the three-factor model with a single second-order factor provided the best fit to the data. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised and its subscales demonstrated good internal consistency and adequate temporal stability and convergent validity with measures of centrality of shame memory and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Portuguese version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for adolescents is a valid measure to assess general stress responses and/or emotional trauma impact, particularly shame feelings.