Propiedades psicométricas de la escala de bullying y cyberbullying de Thomas (BCS-A) en adolescentes argentinos / Psychometric Properties of the Thomas Bullying and Cyberbullying Scale in Argentinean Adolescents

RESUMEN

El bullying o acoso escolar es un importante factor de riesgo para la salud mental de los adolescentes. Con el desarrollo de las nuevas tecnologías emergió un tipo de acoso llamado cyberbullying que presenta características cualitativas diferentes. Sin embargo, existen pocos instrumentos para medir ambas conductas conjuntamente. El objetivo de esta investigación era evaluar por vez primera las propiedades psicométricas de la escala BCS-A de Thomas et al. que mide el bullying y el cyberbullying multi-dimensionalmente en una muestra de adolescentes de habla española. Para este fin, se constituyó una muestra intencional de 842 alumnos (46% varones; 53% mujeres y 1% no binario) que cursaban estudios secundarios en la Argentina. Los participantes contestaron dicho cuestionario, el Cuestionario de Fortalezas y Dificultades de Goodman y preguntas demográficas. Los análisis factoriales –exploratorio y confirmatorio- indicaron cuatro dimensiones victimización física, verbal, relacional y virtual, como también para llevar a cabo el bullying. También las consistencias internas eran adecuadas. Se halló validez concurrente con el Cuestionario de Goodman. De este modo, la escala BCS-A de Thomas et al. sería una herramienta útil para evaluar ambas problemáticas y tratar de examinar correlatos psicosociales específicos de ambos acosos. (AU)

ABSTRACT

Bullying is an important risk factor for the mental health of adolescents. With the development of new technologies, a type of harassment called cyberbullying emerged that presents different qualitative characteristics. However, there are few instruments to measure both behaviors together. The objective of this research was to evaluate for the first time the psychometric properties of the BCS-A scale by Thomas et al. that measures bullying and cyberbullying multi-dimensionally in a sample of Spanish-speaking adolescents. For this purpose, an intentional sample of 842 students who attended secondary school in Argentina (46% male, 53% female and 1% non-binary) was constituted. Participants answered the questionnaire, the Goodman Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and demographic questions. Factor analysis —exploratory and confirmatory— indicated four dimensions physical, verbal, relational and virtual victimization, as well as to carry out bullying. Also the internal consistencies were adequate. Concurrent validity was found with respect to Goodman Questionnaire. Thus, the BCS-A scale by Thomas et al. It would be a useful tool to evaluate both issues and try to examine specific psychosocial correlates of both bullying. (AU)