Measuring Self-Serving Cognitive Distortions with Special Reference to Juvenile Delinquency

A Validation of the “How I Think” Questionnaire in a Sample of Portuguese Adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID21513642
AuthorsHugo S Gomes (0000-0001-7778-6409, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal, corresponding author), Joana Andrade (0000-0002-4321-0118, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal), Marcos Ferreira (0000-0003-0465-5357, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal), Maria Manuela Peixoto (0000-0002-2063-8234, North Lusíada University (Oporto), Portugal), David P Farrington (0000-0003-1312-2325, University of Cambridge), Ângela Da Costa Maia (0000-0003-1343-9699, University of Minho), Ângela Maia (University of Minho, Braga, Portugal)
Year2022
Volume66
Issue10-11
Pages1175-1190
Publication date2022-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0306-624X • E-ISSN: 1552-6933
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0306624x211013544
PMID33940968
OpenAlexW3157946239
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited26

The present study aims to test the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the “How I Think” (HIT) questionnaire. The HIT questionnaire is a self-report measure of self-serving cognitive distortions. Our sample was comprised of 442 Portuguese-speaking adolescents and young adults (254 males and 188 females), aged between 12 and 20 years. Of the total 442 participants, 351 were recruited from a Portuguese school and 91 from four Portuguese detention centers for juvenile delinquents. Data analysis provided evidence supporting the original six-factor model solution, composed of a four-category typology of self-serving cognitive distortions (i.e., Selfcentered, Blaming Others, Minimizing/Mislabeling, and Assuming the Worst), an Anomalous responding, and one Positive filler factor. Further, results showed satisfactory internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. In conclusion, this article provides Portuguese researchers and practitioners with a valid measure of self-serving cognitive distortions

Cognition · Developmental psychology · Discriminant validity · Internal consistency · Juvenile delinquency · Portuguese · Psychiatry · Psychometrics · Typology · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Psychology · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access