title: Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Trauma Specific (AAQ-TS): A study with Portuguese Colonial War Veterans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Trauma Specific (AAQ-TS) is a self-report measure designed to assess-trauma-related psychological (in)flexibility, as conceptualized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. However, there are no studies to date regarding its psychometric properties. This study explores such properties in the Portuguese version of the AAQ-TS, in Portuguese Colonial War Veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was conducted in a sample from the general population of war Veterans (N=371). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) as well as reliability and convergent validity studies were performed in a different sample from the same population (N=312). For the discriminant validity a clinical sample with a war-related PTSD (N=42) and a non-clinical sample without PTSD (N=44) were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CFA suggested a re-specified 15-item model with good global adjustment and factorial validity. The AAQ-TS showed internal consistency, a good temporal reliability, convergent validity with psychopathological symptoms (related to PTSD, anxiety, depression and stress) and peritraumatic dissociation (altered awareness and depersonalization/derealization). The questionnaire also discriminates between war Veterans with and without a PTSD diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The major limitation relates to the samples' characteristics and sampling methods, which can limit the generalization of results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Portuguese version of the AAQ-TS is a reliable and valid measure to assess experiential avoidance related to trauma in Portuguese Colonial War Veterans.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinto-Gouveia
authors.affiliation: Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: teresacarvalho.psi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: Cognitive-Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: NCPTSD Dissemination and Training Division, University of Berkeley, Palo Alto, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Robyn D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Walser
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014175:Translating; D014728:Veterans / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare
keywords: AAQ-TS; Experiential avoidance; Portuguese Colonial War Veterans; Psychological flexibility; Trauma