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.

Psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the psychological capital scale in Ecuadorian university students.

BACKGROUND: Psychological capital (PsyCap) as a higher-order positive psychological resources (that include hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism, or the HERO within). This construct was widely described and evaluated in the workplace; however, there is little research in other contexts, such as education, due to the lack of validated and adapted instruments in Latin America. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the psychological capital scale in a large sample of Ecuadorian university students. METHODS: A non-probabilistic convenience sample of 1732 university students (mean age 20 years, SD = 2,29; 55% female) from the city of Loja-Ecuador were surveyed online using a cross-sectional design. RESULTS: The respecified second-order 4-factor model showed the best fit to the data (CMIN/DF = 7.99, CFI = .977, TLI = .970 NFI = .974, IFI = .980, AIC = 443.833, RMSEA = .064 [058, .070]), and such model remained invariant across sex, age and public and private institutions. The internal consistency was adequate, with Alpha and Omega coefficients for the total scale (α = .941, ω = .942) and its four factors: self-efficacy (α = .869, ω = .872), hope (α = .888, ω = .889), resilience (α = .774, ω = .785), and optimism (α = .840, ω = .840). Finally, the PsyCap and its dimensions correlated with academic engagement and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological capital showed adequate psychometric properties in university students, and its use in this context is supported.

Propiedades psicométricas y estructura factorial del cuestionario de salud del paciente PHQ-4 en estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos / Psychometric Properties and Factorial Structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) in Ecuadorian University Students

Introducción: El Patient Health Questionnaire es un instrumento breve para evaluar ansiedad y depresión, cuya estructura factorial no es clara. Objetivo: Analizar la confiabilidad, validez convergente, divergente y de constructo como la estructura factorial del Patient Health Questionnaire en universitarios ecuatorianos. Métodos: La muestra fue de 1732 estudiantes, con una edad promedio de 20 años; 55 % fueron mujeres de tres universidades de Loja, Ecuador. Los instrumentos aplicados, en su versión en español fueron: Cuestionario de Aceptación y acción, Cuestionario de Capital Psicológico, Escala de Depresión y Ansiedad, Escala de Estrés percibido. Resultados: La estructura factorial se ajustó mejor al modelo bifactorial (CMIN/DF = 14,247; CFI = 0,996; GFI = 0,996; NFI = 0,996, RMSEA = 0,087). Este modelo es invariante entre hombres y mujeres. La confiabilidad fue óptima para la escala total (α = 0,879; ω = 0,880) y sus dos factores: ansiedad (α = 0,838; ω = 0,838) y depresión α = 0,779; ω = 0,780). Las puntuaciones se correlacionaron con indicadores de salud mental. Conclusiones: El Patient Health Questionnaire es una escala con propiedades psicométricas óptimas para estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos, que presenta una estructura de dos factores(AU)

Introduction: The Patient Health Questionnaire is a brief instrument for assessing anxiety and depression, whose factorial structure is not clear. Objective: To analyze the reliability, convergent, divergent and construct validity, as well as the factorial structure, of the Patient Health Questionnaire in Ecuadorian university students. Methods: The sample consisted of 1732 students, with an average age of twenty years. 55 % were women from three universities in Loja. The instruments applied were the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, the Depression and Anxiety Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Results: The factorial structure was better adjusted to the bifactorial model (CMIN/DF=14.247; CFI = 0.996; GFI = 0.996; NFI = 0.996, RMSEA = 0.087). This model is invariant between men and women. Reliability was optimal for the total scale (α = 0.879; ω = 0.880) and its two factors: anxiety (α = 0.838; ω = 0.838) and depression (α = 0.779; ω = 0.780). Scores were correlated with mental health indicators. Conclusions: The Patient Health Questionnaire is a scale with optimal psychometric properties for Ecuadorian university students, presenting a bifactorial structure(AU)

Transdiagnostic model of psychological factors and sex differences in depression in a large sample of Ecuador

Background/Objective: Depression represents a leading cause of disability and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease with women systematically reporting a higher prevalence than men. This study aimed to examine the predictive value and relation of three transdiagnostic psychological factors (perceived stress, psychological inflexibility and loneliness) on depression and its sex differences for the general population in a large sample of Ecuador.Method: A non-probabilistic and non-clinical sample of 16.074 people from across Ecuador were online surveyed using a cross-sectional design. The structural equation model was based on scores from standardized questionnaires as measures of depression, psychological perceived stress, psychological inflexibility, and loneliness.Results: Women reported significantly higher levels of depression, mediated by differences in perceived stress, psychological inflexibility and loneliness. Perceived stress was the most important predictor of depression and mediated the effect of loneliness on depression. Complementarily, psychological inflexibility partially mediated the effect of perceived stress and loneliness on depression. The overall model accounted for the 78% of the total variance in depression.Conclusions: Results of this study provide a novel and robust transdiagnostic model of sex differences on depression and insights on how to design effective programs for preventing depression targeting modifiable transdiagnostic risk factors. (AU)

Transdiagnostic model of psychological factors and sex differences in depression in a large sample of Ecuador.

Background/Objective: Depression represents a leading cause of disability and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease with women systematically reporting a higher prevalence than men. This study aimed to examine the predictive value and relation of three transdiagnostic psychological factors (perceived stress, psychological inflexibility and loneliness) on depression and its sex differences for the general population in a large sample of Ecuador. Method: A non-probabilistic and non-clinical sample of 16.074 people from across Ecuador were online surveyed using a cross-sectional design. The structural equation model was based on scores from standardized questionnaires as measures of depression, psychological perceived stress, psychological inflexibility, and loneliness. Results: Women reported significantly higher levels of depression, mediated by differences in perceived stress, psychological inflexibility and loneliness. Perceived stress was the most important predictor of depression and mediated the effect of loneliness on depression. Complementarily, psychological inflexibility partially mediated the effect of perceived stress and loneliness on depression. The overall model accounted for the 78% of the total variance in depression. Conclusions: Results of this study provide a novel and robust transdiagnostic model of sex differences on depression and insights on how to design effective programs for preventing depression targeting modifiable transdiagnostic risk factors.

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.

Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Spanish Version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) in Ecuador.

(1) Background: The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) is the most well-known self-report measure to assess psychological inflexibility, a transdiagnostic pathological process, and targets for interventions. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Ecuadorian Spanish version of the AAQ-II in a large sample of college students in Ecuador. (2) Methods: A total of 7905 students, 46.26% male and 53.75% female, from 11 Ecuadorian universities were surveyed. The AAQ-II was tested for factorial structure, reliability, and correlations with other health-related measures. (3) Results: The AAQ-II showed an unidimensional factorial structure, accounting for 66.87% to 70% of the total variance and showing a good fit of the data to the model (comparative adjustment index (CFI) = 0.995; goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.992; Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual (SRMR) = 0.037; mean square approximation error (RMSEA) = 0.047, CI90% = 0.038-0.056). Reliability was optimal (Cronbach's α = 0.919; ω = 0.928), and AAQ-II scores significantly correlated with multiple health indicators. Psychological inflexibility was significantly higher in women than men. (4) Conclusions: The Spanish version of the AAQ-II showed good psychometric properties, which further supports psychological inflexibility, not just as a transdiagnostic process.

Psychometric properties of the three versions of the Perceived Stress Scale in Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: . The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most well-known self-report measure to assess perceived psychological stress. OBJECTIVE: . The objective of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of three versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4, PSS-10 and PSS-14) in Ecuador. METHODS: . A sample of 7905 university students (46% men and 54% women) from Ecuador were surveyed using all three versions of PSS. RESULTS: . All three versions showed a satisfactory adjustment with a bifactorial structure based on the item structure rather than underlying dimensions of psychological stress. The reliability was also adequate, with Alpha and Omega coefficients [α = 0.85 and ω = 0.80 for PSS-14; α = 0.85 and ω = 0.87 for PSS-10; α = 0.74 and ω = 0.78 for PSS-4] respectively. Psychological stress scores positively correlated with multiple health indicators such as loneliness, psychological inflexibility, alcohol consumption, and presence of anxiety and depression symptoms, and negatively with resilience. CONCLUSIONS: . The use of PSS-10 based on its best goodness of fit and PSS-4 as the shortest version are recommended to measure psychological stress, rather than the original PSS-14 version. Psychological stress was significantly higher in women than men.