Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Spanish Version of Technostress Scale (RED/TIC) in Ecuadorian Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Although the use of technology is a trend, since the COVID-19 pandemic, its use has been exacerbated, especially in educational processes, causing techno-stress among teachers. Purpose: In order to contribute to the lack of validated and adapted instruments in Latin America, this study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the technostress scale in a large sample of Ecuadorian teachers. Methods: A non-probabilistic intentional sample of 2850 teachers (mean age 40 years, SD= 9.65; 65% female) from various schools throughout the Ecuadorian territory was surveyed online using a cross-sectional design. Data analysis included exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), factorial invariance, assessment of internal consistency, sex differences in technostress scale scores and convergent validity. Results: The EFA yielded a structure of four factors: skepticism, fatigue, anxiety and inefficiency. Through CFA, the hierarchical model that included a general factor and four nested factors had a better fit, and that model remained invariant across sex, age and public and private institutions. Total omega value (ω) was 0.962 for the total scale and hierarchical omega values (ωh) were 0.886 for the general factor, as well as 0.30, 0.22, 0.12 and 0.21 for the respective nested factors (skepticism, fatigue, anxiety and inefficiency). Moreover, the Resources, Experiences, Demands for Information and Communication Technologies (RED/TIC) scores were significantly higher among women, although effect sizes of comparison of those sex differences were very small. Finally, the RED/TIC scores correlated with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Conclusion: The RED/TIC scale has adequate psychometric properties in primary and high school teachers, and its use in that population is supported, which provides a valuable tool for the evaluation and detection of technostress in teachers and facilitates the investigation of this multifactorial phenomenon in Latin America.

Validation of a Latin-American Spanish version of the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA-LA) in Colombian and Nicaraguan adults.

BACKGROUND: Body dissatisfaction (BD) is a growing concern in Latin America; reliable and culturally appropriate scales are necessary to support body image research in Spanish speaking Latin American countries. We sought to validate a Latin-American Spanish version of the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA; Mendelson et al. 2001). METHODS: The BESAA was translated, culturally adapted, and validated in a sample of adults in Colombia (N = 525, 65% women, Mage 24.4, SD = 9.28). We assessed factor structure (using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and exploratory structural equation model (ESEM)), internal reliability (using Cronbach's alpha and omega), validity (using the Body Appreciation Scale BAS and Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire SATAQ), test-retest stability in a small subsample (N = 84, using Intraclass correlations ICC) and measurement invariance across gender. To evaluate the generalizability of the scale, we assessed reliability, validity, and factor structure in a second sample from rural Nicaragua (N = 102, 73% women, Mage 22.2, SD = 4.72), and assessed measurement invariance across Nicaraguan and Colombian participants. RESULTS: The scale showed good internal reliability and validity in both samples, and there was evidence of adequate test-retest stability in the Colombian sample. EFA showed a three-factor structure with subscales we labelled 'appearance-positive', 'appearance-negative' and 'weight', that was confirmed using CFA and ESEM in the Colombian sample. Measurement invariance was confirmed across the Colombian and Nicaraguan samples, and across gender within the Colombian sample. CONCLUSION: The Latin-American Spanish version of the BESAA (BESAA-LA) appears to be a psychometrically sound measure with good reliability, validity and invariance across gender and countries. These results support the use of this scale to measure body satisfaction/dissatisfaction in Latin American adult populations.

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): An update of the literature and instrumental study with schoolchildren

Introduction: Considering the current controversy regarding the factorial structure of the SDQ, this paper aimed to analyse the dimensionality and reliability of the parents' version for children from 4 to 16 years of age, and to present descriptive data according to sociodemographic variables. Method: The factor structure of the original five- and three-factor models, and the reliability of the SDQ were examined among a sample of 621 parents of Uruguayan children between 7 and 12 years of age (52% girls) from different socioeconomic levels. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses did not provide support for the five- and three-factor models. Data adjusted to three factors (prosociality, externalising symptoms, internalising symptoms) in an exploratory analysis with adequate reliability indices. Conclusions: The results of this study show the relevance of continued investigation of the SDQ internal structure, and further analysis of the behaviour of several of its items.

Introducción: Considerando la controversia vigente respecto a la estructura factorial del SDQ, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar la validez de constructo y fiabilidad de la versión para padres de niños de 4 a 16 años y presentar datos descriptivos según variables sociodemográficas. Método: Se examinó la estructura factorial de los modelos originales de cinco y tres factores y la fiabilidad del SDQ en una muestra de 621 padres de niños uruguayos entre 7 y 12 años (52 % niñas) de distintos niveles socioeconómicos. Resultados: Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios no pudieron dar apoyo a los modelos de cinco y tres factores. Los datos se ajustaron a tres factores (prosocialidad, síntomas externalizantes y síntomas internalizantes) en un análisis exploratorio con adecuados índices de fiabilidad. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio muestran la pertinencia de continuar investigando la estructura interna del SDQ y analizar con mayor profundidad el comportamiento de algunos de sus ítems.

Análisis factorial confirmatorio de la Escala verbal de fusión de identidad en una muestra chilena / Confirmatory factor analysis of the Verbal Identity Fusion Scale in a Chilean sample

Resumen La fusión de identidad consiste en un sentimiento de unión con un grupo, en el que el individuo experimenta una mezcla entre su identidad personal y la social; y es un buen predictor de la conducta extrema progrupo. El presente estudio analizó la estructura factorial de la Escala verbal de fusión de identidad elaborada por Gómez et al. (2011), en una muestra chilena. Se utilizó una muestra universitaria seleccionada por conveniencia de 411 participantes (66% mujeres) con una edad media de 24.45 años (DT = 5.89). Se analizó el ajuste unifactorial y bifactorial de la Escala a través del análisis factorial, y las respectivas confiabilidades. Los resultados indicaron un buen y mejor ajuste del modelo bifactorial (χ 2/gl = 3.34, p < .001, CFI = .975, TLI = .957, SRMR = .030, y RMSEA = .085), por sobre el unifactorial, que no mostró un buen ajuste (χ 2/gl = 5.26, p < .001, CFI = .946, TLI = .919, SRMR = .042, y RMSEA = .116). Ambos modelos contaron con altas confiabilidades (> .800). Se discutió sobre el mejor ajuste de la estructura bifactorial en relación con estudios realizados en Estados Unidos, España y población inmigrante en Chile. Se proyecta la necesidad de futuros estudios que incorporen otros análisis de validez y superen la limitación del presente estudio asociada al uso de una muestra no representativa.

Abstract Identity fusion consists in a form alignment with a group and is a significant predictor of extreme pro-group behavior. The present study analyzed the factor structure of the verbal scale of identity fusion developed by Gómez et al. (2011), in a Chilean sample. A Chilean university sample by convenience of 411 participants (66% women) with a mean age of 24.45 years (SD = 5.89) was used. One-factor and two-factor fit of the scale was analyzed through factor analysis, and the respective reliabilities. The results indicated a good and better fit of the two-factor (χ2/gl = 3.34, p < .001, CFI = .975, TLI = .957, SRMR = .030, and RMSEA = .085), than the one-factor model, which did not show a good fit (χ2/gl = 5.26, p < .001, CFI = .946, TLI = .919, SRMR = .042, and RMSEA = .116). Both models had high reliabilities (> .800). The better fit of the two-factor structure was discussed in relation to studies conducted in the United States, Spain, and an immigrant population in Chile. The need for future studies incorporating other validity analyses and overcoming the limitation of the present study associated with the use of a non-representative sample is projected.

Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as a Screening Tool for Depression Among Ecuadorian College Students.

Background: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is the most well-known self-report measure to screen for depressive symptomatology, although discerning which is the factor structure that represents the best fit remains a challenge. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the PHQ-9 in a large sample of Ecuadorian college students. Methods: A total of 5,394 students (M = 22.03 years; SD = 3.05; 54.8% female) from three Ecuadorian universities were surveyed using a computerized questionnaire within a 4-week assessment period. The PHQ-9 was tested for factorial structure, reliability, and correlations with other mental health-related measures. Results: The hierarchical model that included a general factor and three nested factors had a better fit, and such a hierarchical structure remained invariant across sex and age. Total omega value (ω) was 0.90 for the total scale and hierarchical omega values (ωh) were 0.68 for the general factor, as well as 0.34, 0.38, and 0.44 for the respective nested factors (somatic, cognitive/affective, concentration/motor). Moreover, PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher among women, although effect sizes of comparison of those sex differences were very small. Finally, the PHQ-9 scores correlated with multiple mental health indicators (psychological inflexibility, loneliness, stress, and satisfaction with life). Discussion: The Spanish version of the PHQ-9 showed good psychometric properties among Ecuadorian college students. The hierarchical structure showed the best fit for the data, including not only a dominant general factor, but also the somatic, cognitive/affective and concentration/motor subcomponents. In conclusion, the PHQ-9 tool seems to represent an easy-to-implement screening questionnaire to design preventive programs for those Ecuadorian college students at risk of developing depressive disorders.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the psychosocial risk factors inventory of NOM-035-STPS-2018.

The primary objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Inventory for the Identification and Analysis of Psychosocial Risk Factors (IIA-PRF) of Reference Guide III proposed in NOM-035-STPS-2018. A total of 2,149 workers in Baja California, Mexico's industrial and education-government sectors, were administered an online inventory version. Preliminary analyses were performed, as well as a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) based on two models proposed by the standard itself: an eight-factor model (8-FM) and a four-factor model (4-FM). Likewise, based on the results and with the recommendations of the specialists, a threefactor model (3-FM) was proposed. In addition, nested model sequencing methods were subsequently applied to validate the invariance between the origin of the activity. The dimensionality of 3-FM was found to have adequate fit values according to a-priori established criteria. It is concluded that the IIAPRF does not have the reliability and validity parameters necessary to support interpretations, uses and consequences based on the theoretical structure established by NOM-035-STPS-2018 and that, although the 3-FM presents better reliability and validity indices, it is not invariant in terms of the origin of the activity. Finally, we discuss the implications and recommend reviewing and adjusting the design of the IIAPRF items to extend the measurement of invariance to other groups of relevance for decision making in the improvement of the work environment.

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire: Persian versions of the RTQ-31 and RTQ-10.

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive thinking as a transdiagnostic factor plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders. Two versions of the Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire (RTQ-31 and RTQ-10) are the best-known measures used for assessing repetitive thinking in clinical and non-clinical samples. The present study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of Persian versions of them. METHODS: Participants were 592 students assessed with the RTQ-31, the RTQ-10, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-second edition, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to determine construct validity. RESULTS: The findings showed that the RTQ-31 and the RTQ-10 demonstrated excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability (α = 0.946: r = 0.844) and (α = 0.903: r = 0.776) respectively. Also, five items from the original version were omitted due to inadequate factor loadings. This study showed that the resulting 26-item version has a two-factor structure, while the short version has a one-dimensional structure. Finally, it was found that repetitive thinking has a positive and powerful relationship with other measures of rumination and with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. CONCLUSION: Persian versions of the RTQ have good factor structures and psychometric properties and can be used in clinical populations and related studies.

Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI): Factor structure, convergent validity, and reliability of a Spanish adaptation.

Although there are several ratings to assess Executive Functions (EF) in adults, most of these are lengthy and comprise items which describe extreme or pathologic behaviors (e.g., ADHD symptoms), proving inadequate for the assessment of EF in general population. The Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) seeks to assess EF taking these limitations into account. The aims of the present study were to analyze the factor structure, the convergent and divergent validity, and the reliability of a Spanish adaptation of the ADEXI in a non-clinical population. The Spanish adaptation of the ADEXI, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), and an adaptation of the Aggression Scale (AS) were administered to 369 healthy adults between 18 and 60-years-old. To analyze the factor structure of the ADEXI, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used. In addition, the relationship between the inventory and the IRI, the CFS and the AS was analyzed. Finally, Cronbach's α index was calculated. CFA showed that the two-factor model including (1) Working memory and (2) Inhibition best fit the data. Significant correlations were found between the ADEXI scores and the CFS, the IRI and the AS, providing additional evidence of construct validity. The internal consistency of the ADEXI was high (α = 0.87). Taken together, our results indicate that the Spanish adaptation of the ADEXI shows satisfactory psychometric properties and would be a valid and reliable measure to assess EF in non-clinical populations both for clinical and research purposes.

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire: Persian versions of the RTQ-31 and RTQ-10

Abstract Introduction: Repetitive thinking as a transdiagnostic factor plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders. Two versions of the Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire (RTQ-31 and RTQ-10) are the best-known measures used for assessing repetitive thinking in clinical and non-clinical samples. The present study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of Persian versions of them. Methods: Participants were 592 students assessed with the RTQ-31, the RTQ-10, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-second edition, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to determine construct validity. Results: The findings showed that the RTQ-31 and the RTQ-10 demonstrated excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability (α = 0.946: r = 0.844) and (α = 0.903: r = 0.776) respectively. Also, five items from the original version were omitted due to inadequate factor loadings. This study showed that the resulting 26-item version has a two-factor structure, while the short version has a one-dimensional structure. Finally, it was found that repetitive thinking has a positive and powerful relationship with other measures of rumination and with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: Persian versions of the RTQ have good factor structures and psychometric properties and can be used in clinical populations and related studies.

Construção e validação da escala multifatorial de atração por eventos mórbidos / Construction and Validation of Attraction for Morbid Events Multifactor Scale

Resumo Objetivo. Este estudo buscou construir e validar a Escala Multifatorial de Atração por Eventos Mórbidos (AMAEM). Método. Do primeiro estudo participaram 252 pessoas da população geral, as quais responderam à EMAEM e a perguntas sociodemográficas. A análise de componentes principais indicou uma estrutura de cinco fatores. No segundo estudo, a amostra foi de 609 pessoas da população geral brasileira, as quais a escala de personalidade e a escala de busca de sensações. Resultado. A análise fatorial confirmatória apoaiou a adequação do modelo de cinco fatores. Adicionalmente, demonstrou ainda que os fatores da EMAEM podem contribuir com a compreensão de características da personalidade e sua associação com o engajamento em comportamentos antissociais.

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to construct and validate the Attraction for Morbid Events Multifactor Scale (EMAEM). Method. Two empiric studies were conducted. 252 people from the general population participated in the first study, in which a main component analysis was conducted to attest the factor structure of EMAEM. In this study, the five-factor model was most suitable. In the second study, the participants were 609 people from the general population that answered personality and antisocial behavior scales, besides EMAEM. Results. Confirmatory Factor Analysis shows the suitability of the five-factor model. Moreover, the EMAEM scale can provide aids to a better understanding of personality traits associated with engaging in risky behavior.

Psychometric properties and factorial invariance of the satisfaction with life scale in Latino immigrants in Chile, Spain, and United States / Propiedades psicométricas e invarianza factorial de la escala de satisfacción con la vida en inmigrantes latinos en Chile, España y EEUU

Abstract: Background: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most widely used instrument to assess subjective well-being in different populations. Aim: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the psychometric properties and the factorial invariance of the SWLS in Latino immigrants living in Chile, Spain, and the United States. Method: A total of 663 participants over the age of 18 and who have lived in the host country for more than a year participated. Results: The results provide evidence of good internal consistency through Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Also, there is evidence for the unifactorial structure of the instrument through confirmatory factor analysis and its invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar. Conclusions: It is concluded that SWLS is an invariant and reliable measure to study life satisfaction in Latino immigrants in western countries.

Resumen: Antecedentes: La escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS) es el instrumento más utilizado para evaluar el bienestar subjetivo en distintas poblaciones. Objetivo: El propósito de la presente investigación fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas y la invarianza factorial de la SWLS en inmigrantes latinos que viven en Chile, España y EEUU. Método: Participaron un total de 663 inmigrantes latinos mayores de 18 años y que llevan más de un año viviendo en el país de acogida. Resultados: Los resultados entregan evidencia de una buena consistencia interna a través del alfa de Cronbach y el omega de McDonald, también se provee soporte a la estructura unifactorial del instrumento mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio y finalmente se prueba que la escala es invariante a nivel configural, métrico y escalar. Conclusión: Se concluye que la SWLS es una medida invariante y fiable para estudiar la satisfacción con la vida en inmigrantes latinos en países occidentales.

A modern network approach to revisiting the Positive and Negative Affective Schedule (PANAS) construct validity.

INTRODUCTION: The factor structure of the Positive and Negative Affective Schedule (PANAS) is still a topic of debate. There are several reasons why using Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) for scale validation is advantageous and can help understand and resolve conflicting results in the factor analytic literature. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study was to advance the knowledge regarding the factor structure underlying the PANAS scores by utilizing the different functionalities of the EGA method. EGA was used to (1) estimate the dimensionality of the PANAS scores, (2) establish the stability of the dimensionality estimate and of the item assignments into the dimensions, and (3) assess the impact of potential redundancies across item pairs on the dimensionality and structure of the PANAS scores. METHOD: This assessment was carried out across two studies that included two large samples of participants. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In sum, the results are consistent with a two-factor oblique structure.

Factor Structure and Internal Consistency on a Reduced Version of the Revised Test of Need for Cognitive Closure.

The need for cognitive closure is a construct postulated by Kruglanski that explains the motivational aspects which influence decision-making and its impact on the social environment. Initially, it was assessed through a unidimensional scale, later criticized for its poor satisfactory reliability and validity. Regarding these criticisms, Pierro and Kruglanski developed a new 14-item scale to measure two dimensions, which were not previously evaluated: urgency tendency and permanence tendency. Although the Revised Test of Need for Cognitive Closure is more economical in terms of assessment time, it would be optimal to develop a reduced test that can assess faster while maintaining validity and reliability. The present research aims to reduce the Revised Test of Need for Cognitive Closure scale to the Argentinian context. To this end, we worked on a non-experimental design, assessing this scale within a sample of 690 Argentinian university students (Women = 81.16%, Men = 18.84%), and proceeded to perform reliability, as well as confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, and factorial invariance analysis. The results indicate a bi-factorial structure of a Need for Cognitive Closure instrument with eight items and two dimensions: urgency tendency (α = 0.76) and permanence tendency (α = 0.64), suggesting good reliability in both of them. In addition, well convergent validity was checked with other validated instruments, and finally, the factor loadings were shown to be invariant. In conclusion, it was demonstrated the reliability and validity of reducing the Revised Test of Need for Cognitive Closure in our social environment.

Validación del inventario de pensamientos negativos en respuesta al dolor en población argentina con cefaleas primarias / Validation of the inventory of negative thoughts in response to pain in the argentine population with primary headaches

Resumen: Procesos cognitivos tales como pensamientos negativos son importantes moduladores de la experiencia de dolor. El Inventario de Pensamientos Negativos en Respuesta al Dolor (INTRP) es una herramienta que permite evaluar los pensamientos automáticos negativos asociados a la experiencia dolorosa. El presente trabajo se enfoca en la validación del INTRP en población argentina. Se testearon varios modelos previos, llegando al mejor ajuste el modelo de cinco factores: 1) autoverbalizaciones negativas, 2) pensamientos negativos de apoyo social, 3) pensamientos de discapacidad, 5) pensamientos de falta de control y 5) pensamientos de autoinculpación. Este modelo posee la misma estructura factorial que la hallada en la versión española, el cual posee un nivel mayor de especificidad en la detección de cogniciones asociadas al dolor. Se puede concluir que el INTRP es una herramienta confiable para su uso en el ámbito clínico que permita enfocar la terapia psicológica de argentinos con cefaleas.

Abstract: Cognitive processes such as negative thoughts are important modulators of the pain experience. The Inventory of Negative Thoughts in Response to Pain (INTRP) is a tool that allows evaluating negative automatic thoughts associated with the painful experience. The present work focuses on the validation of the INTRP in the Argentine population. Several previous models were tested, reaching the best fit of the five-factor model: 1) negative self-verbalizations, 2) negative thoughts of social support, 3) thoughts of disability, 5) thoughts of lack of control and 5) thoughts of self-blame. This model has the same factor structure as that found in the Spanish version, which has a higher level of specificity in detecting cognitions associated with pain. It can be concluded that the INTRP is a reliable tool for use in the clinical setting that allows to focus the psychological therapy of Argentines with headaches.

Cross-cultural validation of the short version of the Food Disgust Scale in ten countries.

The cross-cultural testing of scales represents an important step in the scale validation process. The present study evaluated whether the eight-item short version of the recently developed Food Disgust Scale (FDS-short) is a reliable and valid tool for measuring food disgust sensitivity in ten countries: Australia, China, England, France, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the USA. In an online survey, the participants (N = 6128) answered items from the FDS-short and other scales related to (food) disgust sensitivity so as to test the construct and criterion validity of the FDS-short. Confirmatory factor analysis of the one-factor structure of the FDS-short revealed an adequate to good model fit in all the countries except for China. Multiple group analysis to test measurement invariance showed the FDS-short to be metrically invariant in all the tested countries (except for China) relative to Australia. With regard to the construct validity, significant positive correlations were observed in all the countries between the FDS-short and pathogen disgust sensitivity, sexual disgust sensitivity, moral disgust sensitivity, germ aversion, and food neophobia. Criterion validity of the FDS-short in all the tested countries was confirmed by the positive correlations between it and having a sensitive stomach, experiencing gastrointestinal complaints after eating animal-based foods (except for France and Germany), and the perceived infection risk of food-borne diseases in one's country. The direction of the correlations indicated that for each country, those with higher FDS-short scores also scored higher on all the tested constructs than those with lower FDS-short scores. Taken together, the present results indicate that the FDS-short is a reliable and valid tool for assessing food disgust sensitivity across countries.

La estructura factorial de la Escala hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión en pacientes adolescentes con enfermedad crónica / Factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in adolescent patients with chronic disease

Introducción. La Escala hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) es un instrumento de pesquisa, utilizado para evaluar sintomatología emocional en diferentes poblacionesy patologías médicas. Este estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas y la estructura factorial de la HADS en adolescentes con enfermedad crónica y las diferencias en función de la patología médica. Método. La HADS fue administrada a una muestra de 302 adolescentes con enfermedad crónica. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios con una submuestra de 100 adolescentes y análisis factoriales confirmatorios con el resto de los participantes (202) para analizar la validez y fiabilidad de la HADS (14 ítems); además se calculó el análisis de la varianza de un factor para analizar las diferencias entre patologías. Resultados. Pacientes de 12 a 16 años de edad, con una distribución similar por género; el 43 % padecía enfermedades respiratorias, y el 47 %, endocrinológicas. La estructura original de dos factores (ansiedad y depresión) fue la que mostró buenos índices de ajuste e incorporó un factor de 2° orden (malestar emocional). Tres de los ítems originales de la escala fueron eliminados; se obtuvo, finalmente, una nueva versión de 11 ítems. Esta mostró adecuadas propiedades psicométricas y se observaron diferencias entre pacientes con diabetes mellitus 1 y con patología respiratoria, pero no en talla baja, en el factor de depresión. Conclusiones. Esta escala presenta una adecuada fiabilidad y validez en pacientes con enfermedad crónica pediátrica y resulta útil para la detección temprana de clínica ansioso-depresiva en el ámbito sanitario.

Introduction. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a screening instrument that assesses emotional symptoms in different populations and medical conditions.This study analyzes the psychometric properties and factor structure of the HADS in adolescents with chronic disease and the differences based on their medical condition. Method. The HADS was administered to a sample of 302 adolescents with chronic disease. Exploratory factor analyses were done in a sub-sample of 100 adolescents, while confirmatory factor analyses were performed in the rest of participants (202) to examine the validity and reliability of the HADS (14 items); an analysis of variance for a single factor was also done to study differences among diseases.Results. Patients were aged 12-16 years, with a similar sex ratio; 43 % had respiratory diseases and 47 %, endocrine disorders. The original two-factor structure (anxiety and depression) showed adequate fit indices and incorporated a second-order factor (emotional distress). Three of the original items were removed, thus obtaining a new 11-item version. This showed adequate psychometric properties, and differences were observed between patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and those with respiratory disease, but not in terms of short stature, in the depression factor.Conclusions. The HADS displays an adequate reliability and validity in pediatric patients with chronic disease and is useful for the early detection of anxiety and depression in the health care setting

Factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in adolescent patients with chronic disease. / La estructura factorial de la Escala hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión en pacientes adolescentes con enfermedad crónica.

INTRODUCTION: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a screening instrument that assesses emotional symptoms in different populations and medical conditions. This study analyzes the psychometric properties and factor structure of the HADS in adolescents with chronic disease and the differences based on their medical condition. METHOD: The HADS was administered to a sample of 302 adolescents with chronic disease. Exploratory factor analyses were done in a subsample of 100 adolescents, while confirmatory factor analyses were performed in the rest of participants (202) to examine the validity and reliability of the HADS (14 items); an analysis of variance for a single factor was also done to study differences among diseases. RESULTS: Patients were aged 12-16 years, with a similar sex ratio; 43 % had respiratory diseases and 47 %, endocrine disorders. The original two-factor structure (anxiety and depression) showed adequate fit indices and incorporated a second-order factor (emotional distress). Three of the original items were removed, thus obtaining a new 11-item version. This showed adequate psychometric properties, and differences were observed between patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and those with respiratory disease, but not in terms of short stature, in the depression factor. CONCLUSIONS: The HADS displays an adequate reliability and validity in pediatric patients with chronic disease and is useful for the early detection of anxiety and depression in the health care setting.

Introducción. La Escala hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) es un instrumento de pesquisa, utilizado para evaluar sintomatología emocional en diferentes poblacionesy patologías médicas. Este estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas y la estructura factorial de la HADS en adolescentes con enfermedad crónica y las diferencias en función de la patología médica. Método. LaHADSfue administrada a una muestra de 302 adolescentes con enfermedad crónica. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios con una submuestra de 100 adolescentes y análisis factoriales confirmatorios con el resto de los participantes (202) para analizar la validez y fiabilidad de la HADS (14 ítems); además se calculó el análisis de la varianza de un factor para analizar las diferencias entre patologías. Resultados. Pacientes de 12 a 16 años de edad, con una distribución similar por género; el 43 % padecía enfermedades respiratorias, y el 47 %, endocrinológicas. La estructura original de dos factores (ansiedad y depresión) fue la que mostró buenos índices de ajuste e incorporó un factor de 2° orden (malestar emocional). Tres de los ítems originales de la escala fueron eliminados; se obtuvo, finalmente, una nueva versión de 11 ítems. Esta mostró adecuadas propiedades psicométricas y se observaron diferencias entre pacientes con diabetes mellitus 1 y con patología respiratoria, pero no en talla baja, en el factor de depresión. Conclusiones. Esta escala presenta una adecuada fiabilidad y validez en pacientes con enfermedad crónica pediátrica y resulta útil para la detección temprana de clínica ansioso-depresiva en el ámbito sanitario.

Medición del burnout: Estructura factorial, validez y confiabilidad en trabajadores argentinos / Measurement of burnout: Factor structure, validity and reliability in Argentinean

El burnout representa uno de los daños de carácter laboral y psicosocial más importantes en el mundo actual. En el presente trabajo se analiza la estructura factorial, la validez y la confiabilidad de una medida de burnout en Argentina, compuesta por las escalas del Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) y la subescala de despersonalzación correspondiente al Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services. Se utilizó una muestra de 1903 trabajadores del sector público, privado y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Para evaluar la estructura interna se pusieron a prueba un total de seis modelos. Los resultados obtenidos por medio de análisis factorial confirmatorio, indican que un modelo de dos factores correlacionados, compuesto por las dimensiones corazón del burnout (agotamiento y cinismo), es el que posee un mejor ajuste a los datos. Por su parte, los análisis de confiabilidad evidenciaron una consistencia interna aceptable, como así también una adecuada fiabilidad de constructo para los factores. Finalmente, se obtuvieron correlaciones significativas y en la dirección esperada entre los factores del burnout y medidas de engagement y afecto, proporcionando así evidencia externa de validez concurrente para los puntajes de la escala. Globalmente, los resultados son satisfactorios y avalan el uso del MBI-GS en el contexto argentino, aunque se requiere de nuevos estudios que examinen otras propiedades psicométricas relevantes. Se discuten las implicaciones de este trabajo para la evaluación y la investigación sobre burnout en Argentina.

Over last decades increasing globalization, privatization and liberalization caused significant changes at work, including demands of learning new skills, the need to adopt new types of works, higher pressure of productivity and quality of work, and time pressure, which, in turn, increased rapidly work stress-related phenomenon such as burnout. To date, burnout has become one of the most active research areas in Occupational Health Psychology, spreading attention from researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Despite thousands of investigations on burnout, there is currently an on going debate surrounding its conceptualization and measurement, particularly the dimensions of burnout syndrome. In addition, although several studies have been conducted in Argentina, no study so far has demonstrated adequate psychometric properties of any measure of burnout that supports it use. Consequently, the current study sought to examine the internal structure, validity and reliability of a composite measure of burnout compounded by the three scales from Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the depersonalization subscale from Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services. A sample of 1903 Argentinean workers from public, private and non-profit sectors participated in the study. To ascertain the more appropriate factor structure of burnout several competing models were tested, specifically: (M1) A one-factor model that assumes burnout as a one-dimensional construct; (M2) A two-factor correlated model with only exhaustion and cynicism (core model); (M3) A two-factor correlated model with exhaustion and cynicism combined into a latent variable and professional inefficacy into another; (M4) A three-factor correlated model with cynicism and depersonalization collapsed into one factor (mental distance), exhaustion and professional inefficacy; (M5) A three-factor correlated model including exhaustion, cynicism and depersonalization; and (M6) A four-factor correlated model with exhaustion, cynicism, depersonalization and professional inefficacy as latent variables. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the two-factor correlated model including the core dimensions of burnout (exhaustion and cynicism) provided the best fit to the data. Reliability analyses demonstrated that both exhaustion and cynicism have good internal consistency and adequate construct reliability, which coefficient value supper .70. As expected, exhaustion and cynicism were significantly and negatively related with engagement and positive affect, and positively related with negative affect, supporting for concurrent validity. Overall, these results are in agreement with recent studies suggesting a more parsimonious conceptualization of burnout that includes only exhaustion and cynicism as more appropriate. We did not find support for professional inefficacy as a component of burnout. Thus, in accordance with some researchers, we suggest that professional inefficacy might be more appropriately conceptualized as a predictor or a consequence -or even both- rather than as a component of burnout. However, due to cross- sectional design used in this study, longitudinal study to test such contention is needed. Furthermore, the current findings support the use of exhaustion and cynicism subscales of MBI-GS for assessing burnout in Argentina, making available a useful tool for practitioners and researchers interested in prevention and treatment of job burnout. Nonetheless, it would be worthwhile to conduct further research in order to examine additional relevant psychometric properties such as test-retest reliability and predictive, convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, it would be important for future research to test the invariance of the two-factor model across different occupations, which might strengthen the findings obtained herein and provide evidence that support the validity of conclusions based on comparison between occupational groups. Finally, future investigation should also investigate the robustness of MBI-GS against social desirability bias.

Reliability and Factor Structure of the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) among Portuguese adults / Confiabilidade e Estrutura Fatorial da Escala de Distress Psicológico de Kessler de 10 itens (K10) entre adultos Portugueses

Abstract The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) has been presented as a valid measure to assess psychological distress levels in population surveys but its dimensional structure was not consensual. Our main objective was to provide a Portuguese version of the K10 exploring the reliability and factor structure of this measure. This cross-sectional study included 694 adults collected from a web-based survey and in training entities. Results showed that 37.9% of the individuals reported significant distress symptoms. A good internal consistency of the K10 scale (α=.91) and strong inter-item correlation (ranges from .350 to .659) were found in our study but the original one-dimensional structure was not confirmed. A two-factor model considering anxiety and depression as two latent, independent but correlated factors shows a good fit with the data even across two data collection methods. The K10 tool was sensitive to sociodemographic variables. Participants aged 40 or over and belonging to the general working class presented higher distress levels. Our data indicates the Portuguese version of K10 as a reliable tool with a factor structure to assess psychological distress.

Resumo A Escala de Distress Psicológico de Kessler de 10 itens (K10), é apresentada como uma medida válida para avaliar o distress psicológico em pesquisas populacionais, mas a sua estrutura dimensional não é consensual. O objetivo do presente estudo foi providenciar uma versão Portuguesa do K10 explorando a confiabilidade e a estrutura fatorial desta medida. Este estudo transversal incluiu 694 adultos, recrutados através de uma pesquisa via web e em entidades formadoras. Os resultados mostraram que 37,9% dos indivíduos reportaram sintomas de distress significativos. A escala K10 apresentou uma boa consistência interna (α= 0,91) e fortes correlações inter-item (entre 0,35 e 0,66). No entanto, a estrutura unidimensional original não foi confirmada. Um modelo dois fatores considerando a ansiedade e a depressão como dois fatores latentes independentes, mas correlacionados mostrou um bom ajuste mesmo entre os dois métodos de recolha. A ferramenta K10 foi ainda sensível para variáveis sociodemográficas. Participantes com 40 anos ou mais e que pertenciam à classe trabalhadora geral apresentaram maiores níveis de distress psicológico. Os dados obtidos indicaram que a versão Portuguesa do K10 é uma ferramenta confiável com uma estrutura fatorial para avaliar sintomas não específicos de distress.

Attachment Style Classification Questionnaire for latency age: Psychometrics properties of Argentine Sample.

The purpose of this article was to perform a psychometric study of the Attachment Style Classification Questionnaire (ASCQ) in Spanish language. This paper included three studies. The objectives of study 1 were to analyze the discriminative power of items, to carry out an EFA to determine the structure of the questionnaire, and to calculate the internal consistency of factors. The objectives of study 2 were to test the questionnaire structure through a CFA, and to determine if the model obtained was invariant between sex and age. The objective of Study 3 was to study the convergent validity. The three studies were carried out with three different samples of 180, 200, and 425 Argentinian children, aged 9 to 12 years, respectively. The results confirm the three factor structure of the adapted questionnaire, showing good psychometric properties (satisfactory internal consistency and adequate validity).

El propósito de este artículo fue realizar un estudio psicométrico del Cuestionario de Clasificación de Estilo de Apego en idioma español. Este trabajo incluyó tres estudios. Los objetivos del estudio 1 fueron analizar el poder discriminativo de los ítems, realizar un AFE para determinar la estructura del cuestionario y calcular la consistencia interna de los factores. Los objetivos del estudio 2 fueron probar la estructura del cuestionario a través de un AFC y determinar si el modelo obtenido era invariante a través del sexo y la edad. El objetivo del estudio 3 fue estudiar la validez convergente. Los tres estudios se llevaron a cabo con tres muestras diferentes de 180, 200 y 425 niños argentinos de 9 a 12 años, respectivamente. Los resultados confirman la estructura de tres factores del cuestionario adaptado, mostrando buenas propiedades psicométricas (consistencia interna satisfactoria y validez adecuada).