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The objective of the present study was to develop and assess the validity of a short form of the Child–Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS). Two Portuguese samples composed of 756 adolescents were used to cross-validate the factorial structure of a nine-item Child–Adolescent Perfectionism Scale—Short Form (CAPS–SF). The CAPS–SF consists of a four-item self-oriented perfectionism subscale and a five-item socially prescribed perfectionism subscale. Both subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the CAPS–SF supported the same two-factor structure and represented a very good fit to the data for both groups. Other analyses found that the brief measure of socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with measures of distress and forms of self-criticism. The CAPS–SF appears to represent a reliable and valid alternative to the original CAPS. Overall, the CAPS-SF is considerably briefer than the original CAPS and it offers an economical and valid alternative when measuring perfectionism in children and adolescents.

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS). Method: 971 Portuguese high school students (572 girls and 399 boys) answered the CAPS. The test-retest reliability was obtained with 206 participants from the total sample. Results: Internal consistency (α= .809) and test-retest reliability (r= .691) were satisfactory. Main components of factorial analysis yielded two factors, accounting for 41.44% of the total variance. Factor structure was similar to the original version. Factors were labelled as "Socially Prescribed Perfectionism" and "Self-Oriented Perfectionism". Discussion: The Portuguese version of the CAPS is a valid and useful instrument for the evaluation of perfectionism among Portuguese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) is the most widely used instrument for evaluating eating disorders in adults and adolescents in a variety of cultures and samples. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT). METHOD: Nine hundred and fifty-six Portuguese secondary students (565 girls and 391 boys) answered the ChEAT. The test-retest reliability was obtained with data from 206 participants from the total sample who re-answered the questionnaire after 4-6 weeks. Psychometric analyses were carried out for the total sample and separately for girls and boys. RESULTS: Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. Principal components factorial analysis yielded four factors in the total sample, accounting for 42.35% of the total variance. Factor structure was similar in the total sample and in both genders. Factors were labelled: F1 "Fear of Getting Fat", F2 "Restrictive and Purgative Behaviours", F3 "Food Preoccupation" and F4 "Social Pressure to Eat". The concurrent validity, explored using the Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDRS) was high. DISCUSSION: The Portuguese version of the ChEAT is a valid and useful instrument for the evaluation of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviours among Portuguese adolescents. CONTEXTO: O Teste de Atitudes Alimentares é o instrumento mais utilizado para avaliar distúrbios alimentares em adultos e adolescentes em uma variedade de culturas e amostras. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Escala de Atitudes Alimentares para Crianças (ChEAT). MÉ;TODO: Novecentos e cinquenta e seis alunos do ensino secundário (565 moças e 391 moços) responderam ao ChEAT. O cálculo da fidelidade teste-reteste foi feito por meio das respostas de 206 participantes da amostra total que voltaram a responder ao questionário após quatro a seis semanas. As análises psicométricas foram realizadas para o total da amostra e para ambos os sexos separadamente. RESULTADOS: A consistência interna e a fidelidade teste-reteste foram satisfatórias. A análise fatorial em componentes na amostra total resultou em quatro fatores que explicam 42,35% da variância total. A composição dos fatores foi semelhante na amostra total e em ambos os sexos. Os fatores denominaram-se: F1 "Medo de Engordar"; F2 "Comportamentos Restritivos e Purgativos"; F3 "Preocupação com a Comida" e F4 "Pressão Social para Comer". A validade concorrente foi explorada com a Escala de Silhuetas Corporais (CDFRS) e foi elevada. CONCLUSÃO: A versão portuguesa do ChEAT é um instrumento útil e válido para a avaliação de atitudes e comportamentos alimentares em adolescentes portugueses.

Introduction Perfectionism is a personality traitcharacterized by a person's striving for flawlessness and setting excessivelyhigh performance standards, accompanied by overly critical self-evaluations andconcerns regarding others' evaluations. This trait has been associated with abroad range of psychopathological conditions, starting in adolescence. In this context, prevention of its effects must start early, and the efficacyof reducing perfectionist levels in adolescents must be empirically investigated. Objective Toanalyse, for the first time, if one session to cope with perfectionism has theeffect of reducing the levels of this trait after two and six months later. Method:868 adolescents (610 girls),aged 15.73±1.571 years, from two secondary schools in Coimbra, Portugal, answered the Portuguese validated version of the Child and AdolescentPerfectionism Scale (CAPS). Two groups were formed: intervention group receivedone skill session oriented to reduce perfectionism (N=615); control group withoutintervention (N=253). Both groupsanswered CAPS again after two/T1 and six/T2 months. Results No significant differences betweengenders were found in Total CAPS, Self Oriented Perfectionism/SOP and SelfPrescribed Perfectionism/SPP. At T1 significant mean reductions were observedin SOP at the intervention group (T0= 39.58±8.554 vs. T1: 38.44±8.676 t= 3.498,p=.001) but not at the control group (T0= 40.48±8.998 vs. T1: 39.34±7.753 t=1.894, p=.061). No differences significant differences were found in Total CAPSand SPP. At T2, SOP reduction remained in the intervention group (T1=38.44±8.676 vs. T2: 38.67±8.375 t= -.640, p=.020). Conclusions Adolescents are sensitive to short interventionsaiming to reduce perfectionism.

Introduction In adolescents, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism/SPP has been consistently associated with depression. Findings on Self-Oriented-Perfectionism/SOP and depression are equivocal. Self esteem/SE has been found to play a significant role between SPP and depression. Objective To analyse the relationship between perfectionism, SE and depression in a Portuguese adolescents sample. Method 963 adolescents (59.2% girls), aged 15.80 ± 1.510 answered the Portuguese versions of the Children Depression Inventory/CDI, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale. Results CDI and SE mean scores were significantly different between genders (CDI-Girls:10.84 ± 6.025 vs. Boys:8.90 ± 6.477; SE- Girls:20.11 ± 4.953 vs. Boys:20.48 ± 4.856; p M+1SD) had CDI total mean scores significantly higher than girls with low SPP ( Conclusions High SPP and low SE are associated with depression in adolescence.

Introduction The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) is a 27-item, symptom-oriented scale for youths aged 7-17. In Portugal some psychometric parameters has never been analyzed before. Objective To analyse the reliability and construct and concurrent validity of the CDI in a Portuguese adolescents sample. Method 969 adolescents (59.34% girls), aged 15.80 ± 1.51, answered the Portuguese versions of the CDI and of the Rosemberg Self Esteem Scale (SE). To study the temporal stability, 204 (58.74% girls) respondents answered the questionnaires again after approximately 5 weeks. Results CDI mean scores were difference between genders [Girls=10.84 ± 6.025 vs. Boys: 8.90 ± 6.477, p Conclusions The Portuguese CDI has good reliability and validity, showing to be an adequate instrument for measuring depressive symptoms in Portuguese adolescents.

Introduction The Children Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT; Maloney et al. 1988) is a well-established 26-item scale designed to measure a wide range of problematic eating attitudes and behaviours among children and adolescents. Objective To analyse ChEAT reliability and validity in a Portuguese adolescent girls sample. Method 565 high-school girls (mean age 15.76 ± 1.571; mean BMI 20.42 ± 2.745) answered the Portuguese versions of ChEAT and of the Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDFRS; Thompson & Gray, 1995). To study the temporal stability 124 girls answered the ChEAT again after approximately six weeks. Results Cronbach's alpha was of .76. The test-retest Pearson correlation was of 0.61. A four factors structure (explained variance=44.06%) was selected: Factor (F) 1 Fear of Getting Fat, F2 Restrictive and Purging Behaviours, F3 Food Preoccupation, F4 Social Pressure to Eat. The body satisfaction as assessed through CDFRS was negatively correlated with the total ChEAT (-.35), F1 (-.47) and F2 (-.23) (all p > .001); and positively correlated with F4 (.26, p Conclusions The Portuguese ChEAT psychometric characteristics are good. Factorial structure is in accordance with the original. It could be very useful to clinical and epidemiological purposes.