The aim of this study is to describe the translation and adaptation process of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) into Brazilian-Portuguese version. The instrument has also contended validation evaluation. METHODS: The first version of the scale was presented to five individuals with different schooling for language adaptation. Afterwards the instrument was presented to three experts that evaluated its content validation. The final version was back-translated and accepted by the original author. RESULTS: Vocabulary adjustments were needed in 9 items and language adaptation in 4 items in order to render the final DSQ-40 Brazilian-Portuguese version. The mean of experts' correlation to each defense was 89%, being 100% to mature, neurotic and immature factors. CONCLUSION: The adaptation of DSQ-40 by different individuals and the group of experts enabled the necessary adjustment to the Brazilian socio-cultural reality.
Defense mechanisms; Translating; Questionnaires
