Cross-cultural adaptation, face validity, and semantic content validity of the Volitional Questionnaire (version 4.1, 2007) into Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

Introduction: The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) defines volition as a person's motivation to engage in an occupation. It encompasses their choice, experience, understanding, and anticipation of that occupation, influenced by personal causation, values, and interests concerning the environment. The Volitional Questionnaire (VQ) is extensively used to measure the volitional component of occupation and evaluate how the environment facilitates or inhibits an individual’s motivation. Prior to the translation of the VQ into Brazilian Portuguese, there were no standardized instruments of this nature in Brazil. Objectives: This study aims to outline the process involved in the cross-cultural adaptation of the VQ for Brazilian Portuguese, including assessments of face validity and semantic content validity. Method: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed according to established protocols involving translation, back-translation, review by an expert committee, and assessments of face validity and semantic content validity. The expert committee comprised 20 participants: 12 occupational therapists, two final-year undergraduate students in occupational therapy, and six psychologists. Results: This study presents the initial outcomes of the VQ’s cross-cultural adaptation, face validity, and semantic content validity. Conclusion: The preliminary findings suggest that the VQ’s Brazilian version demonstrates face validity and semantic consistency. The subsequent phase will involve a pre-test and an assessment of psychometric properties.