Psychometric properties of a short form of the adolescent stress questionnaire (asq-14) / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión abreviada del Cuestionario de estrés para adolescentes (ASQ-14)

BACKGROUND: Exposure to minor stressors is related to a range of emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop a screening instrument for assessing adolescent stressors. METHOD: The Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-14) was tested on a sample of 561 adolescents aged between 12 and 18. We report validity evidence based on its internal structure (confirmatory factor analysis) and on relationships between ASQ-14 scores and other variables (correlational analysis), as well as an estimation of score reliability and differences by sex and stage of adolescence. RESULTS: CFA indicated a one-factor structure with a total score representing a measure of cumulative minor stressors. This structure showed an adequate fit across all age groups (early, middle, and late adolescence). Values of internal consistency (.85) and test-retest reliability (.81) were also satisfactory. Validity evidence based on relationships with other variables showed positive relations with stress manifestations, anxiety, depression, and emotional and behavioral problems, and a negative association with life satisfaction. Finally, girls scored higher than boys, and stress scores increased across stages of adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the psychometric adequacy of the ASQ-14 and its use as a time-efficient tool in educational, clinical, and research studies

ANTECEDENTES: la exposición a estresores menores en la adolescencia se vincula a diversos problemas emocionales y conductuales. El propósito del estudio fue desarrollar un instrumento de screening para evaluar los estresores en adolescentes. MÉTODO: se presentan evidencias de validez basadas en la estructura interna mediante AFC, estimación de la fiabilidad, evidencias de validez basadas en las relaciones con otras variables mediante correlaciones y diferencias por sexo y etapa de la adolescencia del Cuestionario de Estrés para Adolescentes (ASQ-14) en una muestra de 561 adolescentes de 12 a 18 años. RESULTADOS: el AFC detectó una estructura unifactorial que ofrece una puntuación total de estresores. Esta estructura también se ajustó en la adolescencia temprana, media y tardía. Los valores de consistencia interna (.85) y fiabilidad test-retest (.81) fueron satisfactorios. Las evidencias de validez basadas en la relación con otras variables mostraron relaciones positivas con manifestaciones de estrés, ansiedad, depresión y problemas emocionales y de comportamiento, y una asociación negativa con satisfacción vital. Finalmente, las chicas presentaron mayor puntuación en estrés y este aumentó según la etapa de adolescencia. CONCLUSIONES: estos resultados apoyan las propiedades psicométricas del ASQ-14 y su uso como una herramienta eficiente en estudios educativos, clínicos y de investigación

Psychometric properties of a short form of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-14).

BACKGROUND: Exposure to minor stressors is related to a range of emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop a screening instrument for assessing adolescent stressors. METHOD: The Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-14) was tested on a sample of 561 adolescents aged between 12 and 18. We report validity evidence based on its internal structure (confirmatory factor analysis) and on relationships between ASQ-14 scores and other variables (correlational analysis), as well as an estimation of score reliability and differences by sex and stage of adolescence. RESULTS: CFA indicated a one-factor structure with a total score representing a measure of cumulative minor stressors. This structure showed an adequate fit across all age groups (early, middle, and late adolescence). Values of internal consistency (.85) and test-retest reliability (.81) were also satisfactory. Validity evidence based on relationships with other variables showed positive relations with stress manifestations, anxiety, depression, and emotional and behavioral problems, and a negative association with life satisfaction. Finally, girls scored higher than boys, and stress scores increased across stages of adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the psychometric adequacy of the ASQ-14 and its use as a time-efficient tool in educational, clinical, and research studies.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-S).

The aim of this study was to develop a Spanish version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire and to examine its psychometric properties: factor structure, measurement invariance across samples, reliability, and concurrent validity. Participants consisted of 1,560 Spanish students between 12 and 18 years of age. The results support a structure based on 10 first-order factors (corresponding to stressors on the dimensions Home Life, School Performance, School Attendance, Romantic Relationships, Peer Pressure, Teacher Interaction, Future Uncertainty, School/Leisure Conflict, Financial Pressure, and Emerging Adult Responsibility) and 1 second-order factor that subsumes the first-order factors. This model was selected for measurement invariance testing because it showed good fit indexes and was more parsimonious than the first-order factor model. This structure was replicated across 2 independent samples from the same population, as well as across 3 age groups (early, middle, and late adolescence), showing acceptable fit for all groups. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were adequate. Evidence of concurrent validity was provided by positive associations with measures of stress manifestations, anxiety, and depression, and by a negative association with life satisfaction. The results indicate that the Spanish version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire is a suitable tool for assessing stressors in Spanish adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record