Evidence of validity and reliability of the Desiderative Questionnaire with juvenile offenders and victimized adolescents

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this work was to assess validity and reliability of the Desiderative Questionnaire with adolescent offenders and victims. The sample comprised 200 adolescents, of both genders, between 12 and 16 years of age, of whom 50 were sentenced to correctional measures, 50 were victims of domestic violence and 100 without suspected violence or transgression. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson Chi-Square Test, Kappa Concordance Index and Cronbach’s Alpha. The results showed statistically significant differences between the clinical and control groups in several categories, with more difficulties among adolescent victims and offenders. They also revealed precision of the technique used and of the evaluation system with high correlations among the judges as well as high internal consistency, with adequate reliability coefficients.

Keywords

• Adolescence
• Psychological assessment
• Violence