This article concerns the first phase of the assessment of the cross-cultural equivalence between the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTSPC) designed in English and used to identify child abuse and neglect, and a Portuguese-language version to be used in Brazil. Evaluating conceptual and item equivalences involved expert groups. Assisted by a broad literature review, discussions focused on the existence and pertinence of the underlying theoretical concepts and the corresponding component items in the Brazilian context. The appraisal of semantic equivalence involved the following steps: two translations and respective back-translations; an evaluation regarding referential (literal) and general (meaning) equivalences between the original instrument and each version; further discussions with experts in order to produce a final version; and pre-testing the latter on 774 women. It proved possible to establish a satisfactory conceptual, item, and semantic equivalence between the Portuguese-language version and the original CTSPC. Acceptability of the version was excellent. Albeit encouraging, results should be reassessed in the light of forthcoming psychometric analysis (measurement equivalence), as well as through ongoing criticism from interested professionals.
Domestic Violence; Child Abuse; Questionnaire
