Validación del “Cuestionario de aceptación y acción laboral” (WAAQ) con estudiantes universitarios / [Validation of the “Job Action and Acceptance Questionnaire” (WAAQ) with university students]

El objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar y validar el “Cuestionario de aceptación y acción laboral” (WAAQ; Bond et al., 2013) para que pueda ser utilizado para medir la flexibilidad psicológica en el ámbito académico de una universidad del Ecuador. La muestra de estudio estuvo compuesta por 6.230 estudiantes. El instrumento demostró una alta consistencia interna (α= 0,90; ω= 0,91). El análisis de los componentes principales mostró un solo factor, lo que explica el 62,3% de la varianza. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró un ajuste satisfactorio del modelo. Las correlaciones entre el WAAQ y el “Cuestionario de aceptación y acción-II” (AAQ-II; Bond et al., 2011) y la “Escala de competencia personal de Wallston” (Wallston, 1992) sugieren que los cuestionarios evalúan diferentes constructos. Se concluyó que el WAAQ es un instrumento válido y fiable para medir la flexibilidad psicológica en el ámbito académico universitario ecuatoriano.

The objective of this study was to adapt and validate the Work-Related Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (WAAQ, Bond et al., 2013) so it can be used to measure psychological flexibility in the academic environment of a university of Ecuador. The study sample comprised 6,230 students. The instrument demonstrated high internal consistency (α= .90, ω= .91). The analysis of the main components showed a single factor, which explained 62.3% of the variance. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a satisfactory fit of the model. The correlations between WAAQ and the Acceptance and Action-II Questionnaire (AAQ-II, Bond et al., 2011) and Wallston’s Personal Competence Scale (Wallston, 1992) suggest that the questionnaires evaluate different constructs. Based on these results, it was concluded that the WAAQ is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring psychological flexibility in the Ecuadorian university academic environment.

Feelings of hopelessness in a Spanish university population - descriptive analysis and its relationship to adapting to university, depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation.

BACKGROUND: The feeling of hopelessness is one of the main risk factors in suicidal behaviour, a clinical symptom of depression and a factor of great etiological relevance in hopelessness depression. With the aim of contributing data relative to the levels of hopelessness in the general population, this study has been made with three objectives in mind: to determine the levels of hopelessness in a university population, to analyse the relationship of hopelessness with the process of adapting to university and, finally, to analyse the relationships between hopelessness, depression, psychopathology and suicidal ideation. METHOD: A total of 1277 first- and second-year students, from different faculties and degree courses, participated voluntarily in this investigation. RESULTS: The results obtained indicate that 13.9% of the students present moderate or severe levels of hopelessness. The students with greater levels of hopelessness are dissatisfied with different aspects of university life, spend less time on extracurricular educational activities and are less likely to go to examinations. Also, the relationship between hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation is once again clearly seen. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the need to develop some type of programme or service for the university community which could influence the mood of students and modify their expectations with the aim of preventing suicidal behaviour and improving their adaptation to university life and, consequently, their academic performance.