Validation of the Piers-Harris Children SelfConcept Scale – PHCSCSV1-6 in Brazilian Portuguese for adolescents

Abstract

The study validated the Piers-Harris Children Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCSV1-6) for Brazilian adolescents, an instrument for measuring self-concept. The culturally adapted Brazilian Portuguese version (BR-PHCSCS) was administered to 325 adolescents aged 12-18 years at public and private schools in two cities in Northeast Brazil. Psychometric properties analyzed included internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega), reproducibility (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC]), convergent validity (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale [DASS-21]), discriminant validity (sociodemographic variables), predictive validity (dental caries and occlusal aspects) and factorial validity (Exploratory Factor Analysis [EFA]). The scale exhibited satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79; McDonald’s omega = 0.78; ICC = 0.97. The scale showed a multidimensional structure with six factors, explaining 45.3% of the variance. Convergent validity was confirmed with BR-PHCSCS and DASS-21 scores (rs = -0.575, p < 0.001). Discriminant validity revealed associations with type of school (p = 0.033), number of children (p = 0.027), guardian’s education level (p = 0.008), and monthly income (p = 0.018). The self-concept of BR-PHCSCS was not associated with occlusal problems or caries experience. BR-PHCSCS demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties for Brazilian adolescents aged 12-18 years and can be reliably used for other situations that exert an influence on the construct.