Estudo psicométrico da versão portuguesa do questionário de padrões de comunicação - versão curta numa amostra de mulheres heterossexuais

Couple interactions are characterized by two types of communication patterns: complementary (e.g., demand/withdraw) and symmetrical (e.g., mutual constructive communication, mutual avoidance). Christensen and Heaveys Communication Patterns Questionnaire-Short Form (CPQ-SF) aims to assess communication patterns in couples. This was a cross-sectional, observational study with the aim of exploring the factor structure and psychometric characteristics of the Portuguese version of the CPQ-SF. A sample of 164 heterosexual women answered the questionnaires online. The factor structure was different from the original and was composed of three subscales: Positive Symmetrical Pattern, Negative Alternate Pattern, and Negative Complementary Pattern. The questionnaire showed good factorial, convergent, and divergent validity, and good internal consistency. Negative communication patterns were associated with marital difficulties, while the positive symmetrical pattern was a resource for couples. Therefore, couple interventions should promote the use of adaptive communication strategies (e.g., negotiation), and minimize the use of potentially problematic strategies (e.g., blame).