The Peer Aggressive and Reactive Behavior Questionnaire (Parb-Q): Measurement Invariance Across Italian and Brazilian Children, Gender and Age

Abstract

This study examines measurement invariance, reliability and scores differences of the Peer Aggressive and Reactive Behaviors Questionnaire (PARB-Q) across Italian and Brazilian children, gender and age. Participants were 587 Italian and 727 Brazilian children, aged 7-13 years from 12 elementary schools. The PARB-Q is a brief self-report instrument composed by two scales that assess aggressive behavior and reactions to peer aggression. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated full measurement invariance of the PARB-Q across groups based on country, gender and age, providing support for the unidimensionality of the first scale (direct peer aggression, PA) and a 3-factor model of the second scale (reactive aggression, RA; seeking teacher support, STS; internalizing reaction, IR). Reliability indices were good for all factors. Italian children reported a higher frequency of PA and a lower frequency of IR than the Brazilian children. Boys scored higher than girls on PA and RA, while girls scored higher than boys on STS and IR. Younger children reported a lower frequency of PA and a higher frequency of STS than older children. Results provide support for structure validity and reliability of the PARB-Q in two countries and information on differences related to gender, age and culture in peer relationships in elementary school.

Brain morphology of childhood aggressive behavior: A multi-informant study in school-age children

“…As expected, boys were more aggressive than girls (Alink et al, 2006 ; Borsa et al, 2013 ). We found a moderating effect of gender on the association between aggressive behavior and cortical thickness in a cluster covering the right precuneus, isthmus of the cingulate cortex, and lingual cortex as well as in a cluster covering the right middle and superior frontal cortex.…”

“…Previous studies of children and adolescents have reported negative correlations between aggressive behavior and ACC and OFC thickness in boys and girls (Ameis et al, 2014 ; Boes et al, 2008 ; Ducharme et al, 2011 ; Walhovd, Tamnes, Ostby, Due-Tonnessen, & Fjell, 2012 ), and increased hippocampus volume in girls only (Visser et al, 2014 ). Gender differences in both aggression (Alink et al, 2006 ; Borsa, Damasio, Bandeira, & Gremigni, 2013 ) and neurobiological development (Mutlu et al, 2013 ; Raznahan et al, 2010 ) have been amply documented. There is also evidence that the neuroanatomic correlates underlying childhood aggression may show gender-related differences (Ducharme et al, 2011 ; Fairchild et al, 2013 ; Visser et al, 2014 ).…”

Psychometric Study Using Item Response Theory of an Instrument Developed for Assessment of Iranian Mental Health Problems

“…The study of any subject needs a suitable tool for data collection with the least number of errors and the most level of precision (23). An instrument designed in a country is influenced by the culture of that country, and its use elsewhere, even via precise translation, might lead to problems due to the content considered not being a good fit (24). In short, psychometrically sound measures introduce more efficient methods of quantifying patient outcomes to researchers and clinicians while retaining the validity and reliability of the longer versions.…”