Questionnaire on conceptions of adolescence: Adaptation and investigation of content-based validity evidence

• Grant number: 23/13046-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Letícia Lovato Dellazzana Zanon
• Grantee: Maria Laura Tavares Queiroz de Almeida
• Host Institution: Escola de Ciências da Vida (ECV). Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-CAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This Scientific Initiation research project is part of the research group "Psychology of Health and Development of Children and Adolescents" and is part of a larger project, entitled "Relationships between Conceptions about Adolescence, Socioeconomic Level and School Engagement in Adolescents". Conceptions about adolescence refer to the set of beliefs and stereotypes that people have about this phase of human development. Investigating conceptions about adolescence is relevant, as evidence suggests that these conceptions can influence the development of adolescence. The objective of this study is to adapt and produce validity evidence based on the content of the Questionnaire on Adolescence Conceptions (QCA) for use in Brazil. QCA has been used in international research focusing on investigating conceptions of adolescence in different countries. The adaptation of the Brazilian version of the QCA will be carried out in two stages. In stage 1, the instrument will be translated and evaluated by experts on the subject. Two expert psychologist judges will participate, one researcher in the field and the other a clinical adolescent psychologist. In stage 2, the instrument will be evaluated by the target audience through two focus groups, one with 6 teenagers from public schools and the other with 6 teenagers from private schools. It is expected that this study will produce the first evidence of validity of the QCA and will enable the investigation of the association of conceptions of adolescence with other variables such as school engagement, connection with parents and peers and risk behaviors in adolescents.