Author(s): Andrade, Joana ; Gomes, Hugo S. ; Abrunhosa Gonçalves, Rui ; Wong, Stephen ; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia de
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/9570
Origin: Repositório do ISPA - Instituto Universitário
Subject(s): Confirmatory factor analysis; Jail; Pre-trial detention; Psychometricproprieties; Remand prisoners; Risk assessment; Violence
This study aims to test the psychometric properties of the Violent Risk Scale (VRS) in a sample of Portuguese remand prisoners. A total of 133 subjects participated in the present study. We carried out a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the originally proposed two factor structure. Results showed evidence to support the VRS's psychometric qualities.The CFA tested the two-factor structure and showed evidence of the goodness of fit of the original two-factor model. Also, our findings indicated acceptable internal consistency for both sub scales. The correlational analyses supported both convergent and discriminant validity of the VRS. Finally, this study also tested known-groups validity. The VRS score showed a satisfactory postdictive accuracy, which means that it is able to demonstrate distinctive scores for groups known to vary on the variables being measured. We consider this work represents an essential support for decision-makers to evaluate the appropriateness of different judicial measures.
