COVID-19 Bereavement in Ten Latin American Countries: Measurement Invariance of the Pandemic Grief Scale and Its Relation to Suicidal Ideation.

The present study aimed to evaluate the cross-cultural measurement invariance of the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) in ten Latin American countries. A total of 2,321 people who had lost a family member or other loved one due to COVID-19 participated, with a mean age of 34.22 years old (SD = 11.99). In addition to the PGS, a single item of suicidal ideation was applied. The unidimensional model of the PGS had adequate fit in most countries and good reliability estimates. There was evidence of measurement invariance by country and gender. Also, a one-point increase in the PGS was associated with an almost twofold increase in the odds of suicidal ideation. Scores greater than or equal to 4 on the PGS are proposed as a cut off to identify individuals with suicidal ideation. Strong evidence of the cross-cultural validity of the PGS is provided.

Cross-cultural validation of the new version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale in twelve Latin American countries.

The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) was recently developed to assess dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19. Although different studies reported that the CAS is psychometrically sound, it is unclear whether it is invariant across countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the measurement invariance of the CAS in twelve Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). A total of 5196 people participated, with a mean age of 34.06 (SD = 26.54). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the measurement invariance of the CAS across countries and gender. Additionally, the graded response model (GRM) was used to provide a global representation of the representativeness of the scale with respect to the COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety construct. The unidimensional structure of the five-item CAS was not confirmed in all countries. Therefore, it was suggested that a four-item model of the CAS (CAS-4) provides a better fit across the twelve countries and reliable scores. Multigroup CFA showed that the CAS-4 exhibits scalar invariance across all twelve countries and all genders. In addition, the CAS-4 items are more informative at average and high levels of COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety than at lower levels. According to the results, the CAS-4 is an instrument with strong cross-cultural validity and is suitable for cross-cultural comparisons of COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety symptoms in the general population of the twelve Latin American countries evaluated. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02563-0.

Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: New psychometric evidence for the Spanish version based on CFA and IRT models in a Peruvian sample.

The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), using Item Response Theory (IRT) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The participants were 790 Peruvians, selected through a convenience sampling, where the majority were women. The CFA models indicated that the one-dimensional structure better represents the data, is reliable and invariant between men and women. Likewise, IRT findings indicate that CAS is more informative for high levels of COVID-19 anxiety. The CAS in Spanish has adequate psychometric properties to be used as a short measure of COVID-19 anxiety.

Strength of Religious Faith in Peruvian Adolescents and Adults: Psychometric Evidence from the Original and Short Versions of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire in Spanish.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric evidence of the original and short versions of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) in Spanish in a sample of 245 Peruvian adolescents and adults (mean age = 21.04 years, SD = 3.07, 47.8% male and 52.2% female), selected by nonprobabilistic convenience sampling. Additionally, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were applied. Confirmatory Factor Analysis, internal consistency reliability methods, hierarchical sequence of variance models, and a graded response model were used. Results indicate that both versions of the SCSRFQ showed robust psychometric properties: adequate unidimensional structure, adequate difficulty and discrimination parameters, and significant relationships with the measures of fear of COVID-19 and satisfaction with life. The original version of the SCSRFQ showed evidence of strict measurement invariance by sex and age, whereas the short version showed strict invariance by sex and configural invariance by age. Both versions showed acceptable reliability indices. In conclusion, the original and short versions of the SCSRFQ in Spanish show evidence of psychometric indicators that support their use to assess the strength of religious faith.

Cross-Cultural Validation of a New Version in Spanish of Four Items of the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behaviors Scale (PCIBS) in Twelve Latin American Countries.

The invariance of the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behaviors Scale (PCIBS) was evaluated in 12 Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). A total of 5183 people from the aforementioned countries participated, selected using the snowball sampling method. Measurement invariance was assessed by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA) and Multi-Group Factor Analysis Alignment (CFA-MIAL). In addition, item characteristics were assessed based on Item Response Theory. The results indicate that the original five-item version of the PCIBS is not adequate; whereas a four-item version of the PCIBS (PCIBS-4) showed a good fit in all countries. Thus, using the MG-CFA method, the PCIBS-4 achieved metric invariance, while the CFA-MIAL method indicated that the PCIBS-4 shows metric and scalar invariance. Likewise, the four items present increasing difficulties and high values in the discrimination parameters. The comparison of means of the PCIBS-4 reported irrelevant differences between countries; however, Mexico and Peru presented the highest frequency of preventive behaviors related to COVID-19. It is concluded that the PCIBS-4 is a unidimensional self-report measure which is reliable and invariant across the twelve participating Latin American countries. It is expected that the findings will be of interest to social and health scientists, as well as those professionals directly involved in public health decision making.

Evidencia de validez y confiabilidad de la versión en español de la Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale en adultos de Lima, Perú / Evidence of validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale in the adults of Lima, Peru

Introducción y objetivos: Los comportamientos de búsqueda de seguridad permiten seguridad frente a una posible situación amenazante. Así, el objetivo fue adaptar y evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRSBS) en una muestra de adultos de Lima, Perú. Material y Método: Participaron 380 personas (Medad = 31.03 años; DE = 10.37) quienes respondieron la CRSBS y la Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). Se evaluó la validez de contenido, además de realizar un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE) y Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC) para evaluar la estructura factorial de la CRSBS. Se evaluó la fiabilidad con el coeficiente omega. Se realizó un segundo AFC para evaluar la validez convergente que relacionó la CRSBS y la ansiedad por la COVID-19. Resultados: La evaluación de contenido indicó que los cinco ítems de la CRSBS son relevantes, coherentes y claros. El AFE y AFC indicaron la presencia de un modelo unidimensional para la CRSBS con un adecuado ajuste (?2 = 26.73, gl= 5, p = .00, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .11 [IC90%: .07 - .15], SRMR = .04). Asimismo, el modelo que relacionó la CRSBS y la CAS tuvo un buen ajuste (? 2(34) = 91.29, p= .00, RMSEA= .05 [IC90%: .04 -.07], CFI= .93, SRMR= .04) y una correlación positiva y alta ( = .56, p <.001). La fiabilidad fue satisfactoria (aordinal = .93; ? = .93). Conclusión: La versión en español del CRSBS posee evidencias de fiabilidad, validez de contenido, estructura interna y validez convergente.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: Safety seeking behaviors allow safety in the face of a potentially threatening situation. Thus, the objective was to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRSBS) in a sample of adults from Lima, Peru. Method: 380 people participated (Age = 31.03 years; SD = 10.37) who answered the CRSBS and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). The content validity was evaluated, in addition to performing an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to evaluate the factorial structure of the CRSBS. Reliability was evaluated with the omega coefficient. A second CFA was performed to assess the convergent validity that related CRSBS and anxiety about COVID-19. Results: The content evaluation indicated that the five items of the CRSBS are relevant, consistent and clear. The EFA and CFA indicated the presence of a one-dimensional model for the CRSBS with an adequate fit (?2 = 26.73, gl= 5, p = .00, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .11 [IC90%: .07 - .15], SRMR = .04). Likewise, the model that related the CRSBS and the CAS had a good fit (? 2 (34) = 91.29, p = .00, RMSEA = .05 [IC90%: .04 -.07], CFI = .93, SRMR = .04) and a positive and high correlation ( = .56, p < .001). Reliability was satisfactory (aordinal = .93; ? = .93). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the CRSBS has evidence of reliability, content validity, internal structure and convergent validity.(AU)

Traducción al español y validación de una medida breve de ansiedad por la COVID-19 en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud / Spanish translation and validation of a brief measure of anxiety by the COVID-19 in students of health sciences

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La COVID-19 ha generado consecuencias negativas para la salud mental de las personas. Este es el caso del Perú, uno de los países latinoamericanos más afectados por la pandemia. En este sentido, el objetivo del estudio fue traducir y validar la Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) al español. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Los participantes fueron 704 estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud (Medad = 23.39 años, DE = 3.45) a quienes se les administró el CAS en español, el Mental Health Inventory-5 y el Patient Health Questionnaire-2 item. El CAS se tradujo al español mediante el método hacia adelante y hacia atrás. Se examinaron la fiabilidad y las evidencias de validez basada en la estructura interna y relación con otras variables. RESULTADOS: El análisis factorial confirmó la estructura factorial unidimensional del CAS (χ2 = 7.62, gl = 5, p = .18, χ2/df = 1.52, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .03 [CI90% .00, .06]; SRMR = .02, WRMR = .52); además las cargas factoriales fueron grandes y significativas (de .68 a .87). Los cinco ítems del CAS mostraron correlaciones ítems test total corregido aceptables (de .64 a .74). La confiabilidad por consistencia interna fue buena (ω = .89; αordinal = .89). La evidencia de validez con base en la relación con otras variables del CAS fue respaldada por la correlación positiva con la depresión (r = .52, p < .01) y negativa con el bienestar subjetivo (r = -.50, p < .01). Además, la depresión media la relación entre la ansiedad por la COVID-19 y el bienestar subjetivo (valor bootstrap = - .24, IC 95% = - .28, - .20). CONCLUSIÓN: La versión en español del CAS posee evidencias de validez y confiabilidad para medir la ansiedad por la COVID-19 en una muestra de universitarios peruanos

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has generated negative consequences for people's mental health. This is the case of Peru, one of the Latin American countries most affected by the pandemic. In this sense, the objective of the study was to translate and validate the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) into Spanish. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The participants were 704 university students of health sciences (Mage = 23.39 years, SD = 3.45) who were administered the CAS in Spanish, the Mental Health Inventory-5 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 item. The CAS was translated into Spanish using the forward and backward method. Reliability and evidence of validity based on internal structure and relationship with other variables were examined. RESULTS: The factor analysis confirmed the one-dimensional factor structure of the CAS (χ2 = 7.62, df = 5, p = .18, χ2 / gl = 1.52, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .03 [90% CI .00, .06]; SRMR = .02, WRMR = .52); In addition, the factor loadings were large and significant (from .68 to .87). The five CAS items showed acceptable corrected total test item correlations (from .64 to .74). Reliability due to internal consistency was good (ω = .89; αordinal = .89). The validity evidence based on the relationship with other CAS variables was supported by the positive correlation with depression (r = .52, p < .01) and negative with subjective well-being (r = -.50, p < . 01). Furthermore, depression mediates the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and subjective well-being (bootstrap value = - .24, 95% CI = - .28, - .20). CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the CAS has evidence of validity and reliability to measure anxiety by COVID-19 in a sample of Peruvian university students