Spanish Translation and Validation of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire

• Other Authors: Silva, Caroline (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Psychology; Neurosciences
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-7603

The goal of the present study is to examine the construct validity of the Spanish translation of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) - a self-report questionnaire assessing suicide relevant constructs. Translation occurred through a process of forward and back translation. Psychometric characteristics of the INQ in Spanish and English were initially examined in a sample of 33 bilingual undergraduate students using a counterbalanced within-participants design. Results indicated strong internal consistency for both measures and moderate to large item correspondence across both languages. Although no significant language effect was found, order effects were significant such that individuals who took the Spanish language measure first scored higher across both measures than those who completed the English version first. Implications of potential order effects are discussed. The psychometric properties of the translated measure were further tested via single-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using three independent Spanish-speaking samples (U.S. undergraduates, university students in Spain, and psychiatric inpatients in Mexico). Results support the viability of a latent variable measurement model of the INQ-Spanish with six indicators of perceived burdensomeness and nine indicators of thwarted belongingness (similar to the INQ-English) across U.S. and foreign university students and foreign psychiatric inpatients. The data are also consistent with the assumption of the interpersonal theory of suicide that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are related, but distinct constructs. These data provide initial evidence of comparable validity between the Spanish and English INQ in diverse samples, suggesting that the INQ-Spanish measures two constructs especially relevant for suicide prevention that could be a useful addition to cross-cultural suicide risk assessment protocols. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. === Summer Semester, 2013. === June 24, 2013. === Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, Perceived Burdensomeness, Psychometrics, Spanish translation, Thwarted Belongingness === Includes bibliographical references. === Thomas E. Joiner, Professor Directing Thesis; Jesse R. Cougle, Committee Member; Richard K. Wagner, Committee Member.