Psychometric properties of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) questionnaire in a Spanish psychiatric population

Objective: The psychometric properties of the Spanish Version of Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were examined in a psychiatric population. Method: Internal consistency, factor structure and concurrent validity were studied in a sample of 416 psychiatric patients. Results: A moderate to high internal consistency for all personality dimensions was found, except for Persistence. A confirmatory factor analysis of the TCI performed at the subscale level revealed an uncertain factor structure. However, when analysed separately, both the 11 temperament subscales (plus Persistence) and the 13 character subscales shaped four and three factors, respectively, in agreement with the biosocial model of personality. Finally, concurrent validity analyses were conducted using EPQ, SPSR and SSS questionnaires showing results consistent with theory. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the TCI is a reliable and valid instrument, although the Persistence dimension might require further revision.