Validation of the Italian translation of the Revised Temperament and Character Inventory--TCI-140--in adult participants and in participants with medical diseases

Introduction: This study aimed at assessing the reliability and construct validity of the TCI-140.

Sample: 428 Italian participants.

Exclusion criteria: psychiatric disorders. 100 subjects - longitudinal retest study.

Results: The results of descriptive statistics of internal consistency reliabilities (Cronbach coefficient) of TCI-R dimensions showed: a strong internal consistence of the scales: HA (α = 0.84); RD (α = 0.70); SD (α = 0.86); C (α = 0.75); ST (α = 0.83); a low level in NS (α = 0.60). In relation to facets, internal consistency reliabilities (Cronbach coefficient) ranged from 0.14 C3 to 0.79 C4 (from 3rd to 4th facet of C scale). Correlations: highest inverse correlation between HA and SD (r = -0.56); moderate inverse correlations for: HA and PS (r = -0.37); C and RD(r = 0.32); C and SD (r = 0.44). P, SD, C and ST showed good inter class correlations (ICC) ≥ 70 maintaining a good stability of the measures over the time. Four factors accounted for 56.3% of the variance for temperament subscale. Subscales of: PS4, PS3 PS2, PS1, NS3 for factor 1; HA2, HA1, HA4, HA3 for factor 2; RD1, RD2 and RD3 for factor 3; NS4, NS1 and NS2 for factor 4. Three factors that were identified accounted for 58.3% of the variance for character subscales of: SD3, SD5, SD1, SD2 for factor 1; C4, C1, C5, SD4, C3 for factor 2; ST2, ST1, ST3, C2 for factor 3.

Conclusion: The reliability coefficients were significantly good for some dimensions of TCI-140 and showed a good correlation after time, while some dimensions as NS have low reliability. In the principal components analysis does not saturate all dimensions in its theoretical factor. Moreover TCI-140 is a useful inventory for the evaluation of the principal dimensions of temperament and character.