[Adaptation of Child Abuse Potential Inventory in Chile: analysis of the difficulties and challenges in the application in Chilean studies].
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes two studies aimed at validating the Chilean version of Child Abuse Potential (CAP). The paper also discusses problems in what respects conceptualizing and detecting maltreatment within a process of research as it relates to a specific culture.


METHODS
An instrument based on the Child Abuse Potential Inventory was administered to two different samples of 134 people and 280 people, respectively. Both studies are contrasted in terms of internal consistency, factor analysis, and the instrument's ability to discriminate between abusers and non-abusers.


RESULTS
Both studies feature good internal consistency (.98 and .95) and a factor structure similar to that of the original instrument; however, the second study shows problems concerning correct subject classification. The contrast of both studies suggests that the instrument is suitable for discriminating between severe child physical abuse and very well-treated children. The indecision area of classification is 67%.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of both studies highlight the need to conceptualize and operationalize child abuse within a specific cultural context. The distinction between abusers and non-abusers becomes more blurred in the less extreme cases.
Haz
Ana María
AM
Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago.
Ramírez
Valeria
V
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000145:classification* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D002677:Chile; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies