Resumo

ROMERO GODINEZ, Edith; GOMEZ-MAQUEO, Emilia Lucio  e  DURAN PATINO, Consuelo. Construct validity of the internalizing and externalizing problems questionnaire for children. Acta univ [online]. 2019, vol.29, e2158.  Epub 10-Jan-2020. ISSN 2007-9621.  https://doi.org/10.15174/au.2019.2158.

The empirical classification systems developed for the diagnosis of infant psychopathology establish two broad dimensions: internalizing and externalizing problems (IP & EP). The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the internalizing and externalizing problems scale for children (CPIEN, from its acronym in Spanish) to obtain a valid and reliable tool that help identify these problems in children from 8 to 12 years old (M = 9, SD = 1.1). Participants were 364 girls and 344 boys from elementary schools in Mexico City. The instrument was administered in classrooms, prior authorization from parents and school authorities. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed through the AMOS 21 software. The results showed good fit for the models; the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α) was also obtained (0.86). This confirmed the factorial structure of two dimensions. The Scale is a valid and reliable measure, useful to assess children with IP & EP.

Palavras-chave : Internalizing problems; externalizing problems; reliability; validity.