Evidências de validade do inventário dos cinco grandes fatores de personalidade para o Brasil

The main objective of the present dissertation is the validation of the Portuguese-language version of the Big Five Inventory (IGFP-5) for Brazil. The IGFP-5 is a brief self-report inventory, composed of 44 items and developed to assess the personality dimensions based on the Big Five Personality Factors model. The five dimensions that the IGFP-5 aims to assess are: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. The five factor model has been confirmed in several countries of the world, including Brazil. The specific objectives of this study are: (1) to perform exploratory analyses of the database and of the items of the IGFP-5; (2) to compare the goodness of fit of three rival models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); (3) to estimate psychometrical item characteristics of the IGFP-5 and latent trait scores using Item Response Theory; (4) to assess the internal consistency of the factors of the IGFP-5 in the total sample of respondents and in sub groups; (5) to evaluate evidence concerning the validity of the IGFP-5 based on differentiation of its factor scores with sociodemographical and human values variables and, (6) to compare average factor scores of the IGFP-5 between macro Brazilian regions. After the elimination of missing data, the sample of respondents was composed of 5,089 respondents, consisting mainly of female students (66.9%) and higher education students (79.0%). Using CFA it was concluded that the model of five intercorrelated factors was the most appropriate model. The use of Item Response Theory (IRT) showed that the items of the IGFP-5 generally have adequate psychometrical properties. Differences were observed in average latent trait scores between the Brazilian macro regions. Findings obtained in this study support the validity and reliability of the Portuguese-language version of the Big Five Inventory for Brazil. It is suggested that the IGFP-5 should be used mainly in a research context and for preliminary psychological selection. Considering the fact that the IGFP-5 is a brief inventory with a short application time it can easily be used in transcultural studies. The limitations of this study are presented, as well as a future research calendar.