Psychometric properties of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) in Dominican Republic adolescents

Introduction: This work represents the first attempt to obtain evidence of the validity of an entrepreneurial intention questionnaire in the adolescent population of a Latin American or Caribbean country. The objectives are to study the factor structure, the reliability, the external validity and to test the gender invariance of the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire, in its adaptation for adolescents. Method: The sample consisted of 708 adolescents from the Dominican Republic with a mean age of 15.49, 65.2% of whom were women and 35.8% were men. Analyses included confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's Alpha and Omega scores for reliability, correlations, and a gender invariance routine. Finally, latent means of females and males are compared. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to the data and the reliability results were adequate. In addition, the correlations with the Entrepreneurial Attitudes Scale for Students were positive and statistically significant. Also, strict gender invariance was successfully verified. Although males presented a higher subjective norm, females showed higher entrepreneurial intentions. Conclusions: The Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire shows adequate psychometric properties and proves useful in conducting research on the promotion of entrepreneurship in early stages.

Introducción: Este trabajo supone el primer intento de obtener evidencias de validez de un cuestionario de intención emprendedora en adolescentes en un país de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Tiene como objetivos reportar la estructura interna, fiabilidad, validez externa y probar la invarianza de género del Cuestionario de Intención Emprendedora en su adaptación para adolescentes. Método: La muestra está formada por 708 adolescentes de República Dominicana con una media edad de 15.49, un 65.2% de mujeres y un 35.8% hombres. Los análisis incluyeron análisis factorial confirmatorio, resultados de Alfa de Cronbach y Omega para la fiabilidad, correlaciones y una rutina de invarianza por género. Finalmente se compararon las medias latentes de hombres y mujeres. Resultados: El análisis factorial mostró un buen ajuste a los datos y los resultados de fiabilidad fueron adecuados. Además, las correlaciones con la Escala de Actitudes Emprendedoras para Estudiantes fueron positivas y estadísticamente significativas. También, se comprobó satisfactoriamente la invarianza estricta por género. Aunque los hombres presentaron mayor norma subjetiva, las mujeres mostraron una mayor intención emprendedora. Conclusiones: El Cuestionario de Intención Emprendedora muestra adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para que sea de utilidad en las investigaciones sobre la promoción del emprendimiento en etapas tempranas.

Alternative Models Examination and Gender Measurement Invariance of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire among Nigerian Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the factor structures of the a priori alternative models of the 12-items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), its psychometric characteristics and gender measurement invariance in a sample of non-clinical Nigerian adolescents (n=1326; M(age)=15.16).METHODS: The sample consisted of 606 (45.7%) males, who completed the GHQ-12 in addition to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). We compared 21 models to identify which has the best fit indices applying confirmatory factor analysis. Gender measurement invariance was examined with nested multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA).RESULTS: The model that best captures psychological distress was a three-factor model that was initially described among the Australian general population (CFI=0.952, SRMR=0.0310, RMSEA=0.042) (90%CI=0.035–0.049). The internal consistencies (ω) of this model and its dimensions were modestly satisfactory. The criterion validity of this model was supported via significant correlations with the other study measures. MGCFA supported the configural, metric and scalar gender invariances of this model.CONCLUSION: A three-factor GHQ-12 model (anhedonia/sleep disturbances; social performance and Loss of confidence) is useful as a psychological distress assessment tool among Nigerian adolescents.