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Psychological assessment has been a relevant and exclusive activity of Psychology, justifying an analysis of the evolution of its practice. This article identifies the tests and other psychological assessment instruments most commonly used in Portugal. A total of 1383 psychologists took part and responded to an online survey. The results show that intelligence assessment tests (Wechsler Intelligence Scales, particularly the WISC) and nonverbal reasoning tests (Raven's Matrices) are among the most widely used. There has been an increase in the use of neuropsychological tests, cognitive screening tests, behavioral assessment scales and school performance or achievement tests, while there has been a decrease in the use of projective tests. On the other hand, there was a greater use of psychopathological symptom inventories than more classic personality inventories. The discussion of the results points to the need for more research into the instruments used, focusing on data relating to the reliability, validity and standardization of their results, promoting the quality of the tests in use and ensuring a more rigorous use of the instruments available to Portuguese psychologists in their psychological assessment practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With psychological assessment and testing being part of psychologists' identity, Portuguese and international studies have highlighted less investment in assessing children during their early years. This research aims to characterize the use of testing and other psychological assessment tools on children between 0-7 years old in Portugal. The sample is composed of 63 psychologists who answered an online inquiry within the scope of a broader study. The analysis of instruments most used allowed to reinforce that these mainly consist of tests (and less of rating scales), and also that the cognitive field is more represented than the social-emotional one, with the Wechsler WISC-III and WPPSI-R scales and the Griffiths Mental Development Scales being the most frequently mentioned instruments. The discussion of the results points to the need of further investigation aimed at guaranteeing the psychometric quality of instruments used, and of significant investment in training the field's professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social skills deficits and some behavior problems are a well-established issue in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, most of the studies available analyze social skills or behavior problems of children with ASD, but not both. The present study intends to compare the social skills and behavior problems of 32 preschoolers with ASD paired with 32 typically developing preschoolers, as evidence of validity of the Portuguese version of the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales - Second Edition (PKBS-2). Each child was rated independently by parents and teachers. Results showed a statistically significant difference in all PKBS-2 scores between the two groups, with the children with ASD rated with fewer social skills and more behavior problems by both informants. The discriminant analysis highlighted the three Social Skills, the Over-Activity/Lack of Attention and Social Withdrawal subscales as more accurate in differentiating between the two groups. The implications of using a single behavior rating scale that can be filled in by different informants (parents and teachers) to assess positive and negative behaviors are emphasized. Furthermore, the usefulness of the PKBS-2 as a screening assessment tool that could be used in clinical practice and intervention with preschoolers with ASD is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last 30 years are ruled by an increased interest in the assessment of the social-emotional development/functioning of preschool children. However, the assessment of this younger population, with specific characteristics (example, restricted vocabulary), requires the use of a distinct approach from the one used with school age children/adults. In this context, the use of rating scales has assumed a prominent role. The present paper aims to highlight the importance of rating scales as a measure of preschoolers' social-emotional functioning. The critical review indicates that, despite several advantages (example, brevity and cost efficiency), there are also some limitations related to this kind of assessment instrument (example, bias of response), and recommendations for its efficient use are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses issues related to the agreement between parents and teachers when they assess children's development, and to what extend those assessments are related to children's cognitive abilities. A hundred seventy three preschoolers were independently classified by their parents and teachers regarding different developmental domains. The results on the WPPSI-R test were taken as an external criterion to evaluate the accuracy of the parents' ratings. Children's age and gender were considered in the analysis. Inter-rater agreement is low to moderate. Compared with teachers, parents systematically rate their children as more developed. Some dimensions of development (e.g. learning) are more related to performance on the WPPSIR than others. Results are discussed regarding their implications to the psychological assessment of preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a violation of women's human rights. Attachment is an IPV risk or vulnerability factor, in part because of the role that it plays in interpersonal relationships. An insecure attachment can predispose women victims to psychological maladjustment, which can reflect psychopathology. Likewise, our general society reveals beliefs that support and legitimize IPV. Thus, this study examined the relationship between adult attachment, psychopathology, and IPV beliefs. Our sample comprises 158 women IPV victims, aged between 18 and 73 years old. The psychological assessment tools Experiences in Close Relationships, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Scale of Beliefs about Marital Violence were used. All ethical issues had been taken due to the sensitive nature of the involved data. The results showed that most victims had a secure attachment style, and it may be an indicator that these women possibly had safe experiences with an attachment figure leading to reduced anxious state attachment in adult relationships. The results show a positive association between adult attachment and psychopathology, as well as between attachment and beliefs about violence. Globally, attachment is related to psychopathology and IPV beliefs. These results allow aid professionals and institutions to have deep knowledge about adult attachment as a risk or vulnerability factor for IPV and the adverse consequences of this phenomenon. IPV requires urgent attention since is the greatest threat to the health and safety of women around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]