Factor structure, measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the Quality of Life Scale WHOQOL-BREF in the Ecuadorian context.

BACKGROUND: The short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) is a popular instrument used to assess quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the following psychometric properties: structural validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and measurement invariance across sex of the WHOQOL-BREF in a sample of Ecuadorian adults. METHODS: We used a sample of undergraduates (n = 987) to assess the WHOQOL-BREF original four-factor structure, a model with correlated factors, a hierarchical model, and two models resulting from the exploratory factor analysis and exploratory graph analysis. All the models were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The results of the exploratory factor analysis and exploratory graph analysis suggest that the items are organized into four factors, although differently from the original version and the orthogonality assumption is not maintained. The confirmatory factor analysis shows that the original WHOQOL-BREF structure with correlated factors presents adequate psychometric properties. However, we propose a four-factor structure that has the best psychometric properties and adequate internal consistency. The results of the measurement invariance show that strict and strong invariance is achieved between men and women. Convergent validity analysis reveals moderate correlations with self-esteem, resilience, and social support. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the original version of the WHOQOL-BREF with correlated factors has acceptable psychometric properties in the Ecuadorian context, we propose a version with a different organization of its items, which is consistent with the findings of other investigations.

Psychometric properties of the self-report version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire in the Ecuadorian context: an evaluation of four models.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the psychometric properties of four models of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a sample of 1470 children and adolescents from Biblián, Ecuador. The instrument has been used by researchers and students. However, there are not reports that show that the instrument is valid or reliable in the Ecuadorian context. METHODS: Reliability was evaluated through Cronbach's Alpha, McDonald's Omega, Intra-class Correlations and Greatest Lower Bound (GLB). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with polychoric correlation matrix and Diagonally Weighted Least Square (DWLS) estimator is performed in each model. Due to possible readability problems, CFA was performed in three age groups. Measurement invariance analysis across biological sex and two groups of age is carried out. RESULTS: CFA and reliability analysis revealed poor construct validity of the original version of SDQ. Three additional factor structures were tested. A version that includes a prosocial subscale, and ҅ internalizing ҆ subscale and an ҅ externalizing ҆ subscale has the best yet insufficient construct validity properties among the four models (CFI = .858, TLI = .844, RMSEA = .055, WRMR = 1.588). Cronbach's Alpha for the subscales ranged from .44 to .71, McDonald's Omega from .22 to .606, GLB from .612 to .693, and ICC from .385 to .63. Measurement invariance analysis found no evidence of invariance across sex groups and evidence of partial invariance across age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The four tested models have questionable psychometric properties. Consequently, the use of the SDQ in the Ecuadorian context is not advisable. The three-factor first-order model of the SDQ that shows the best validity and reliability properties does not have undisputed psychometric properties. Comparisons across groups of age and/or sex using the SDQ should not be made.

Adaptation and validation of the gratitude questionnaire GQ-6 for the Ecuadorian context / Adaptação e validação do questionário de gratidão GQ-6 para o contexto equatoriano / Adaptación y validación del cuestionario de gratitud GQ-6 para el contexto ecuatoriano

This paper evaluates the factor structure, reliability and validity of the gratitude scale (GQ-6) of McCullough, Emmons and Tsang (2002) and the five-item version proposed by Chen et al. (2009). Results of a sample of 1112 adults show that the fiveitem version has excellent internal consistency (α=.926; ω=.891; GLB=.913); high and significant factor loadings (greater than .8; p<.01), and excellent goodness of fit indexes (χ²(5)=23.837, p<.001; CFI=.997; TLI=.995; RMSEA=.082, p=.045; SRMSR=.035; WRMSR=.837). The criterion validity was evaluated applying subscales of the PERMA-Profiler: positive emotions (ρ=.5702, p=.021) and negative emotions (ρ=-.1786, p=.0316). Finally, we find psychometric equivalence between the sex of the participants. In conclusion, the five-item questionnaire is valid and reliable in the Ecuadorian context. (AU)

Este estudo avalia a estrutura fatorial, a confiabilidade e a validade da Escala de Gratidão (GQ-6) de McCullough, Emmons e Tsang (2002) e a versão de cinco itens proposta por Chen et al. (2009). Resultados de uma amostra de 1.112 adultos mostram que a versão de cinco itens tem excelente consistência interna (α=0,926; ω=0,891; GLB=0,913); cargas fatoriais altas e significativas (maior que 0,8; p<0,01), e excelentes índices de qualidade de ajuste (χ²(5)=23,837, p<0,001; CFI=0,997; TLI=0,995; RMSEA=0,082, p=0,045; SRMSR=0,035; WRMSR=0,837). A validade de critério foi avaliada aplicando-se subescalas do PERMA-Profiler: emoções positivas (ρ=0,5702, p=0,021) e emoções negativas (ρ=-0,1786, p=0,0316). Finalmente, encontra-se equivalência psicométrica entre o sexo dos participantes. Em conclusão, o questionário de cinco itens é válido e confiável no contexto equatoriano. (AU)

Este estudio evalúa la estructura factorial, la confiabilidad y la validez de la escala de gratitud (GQ-6) de McCullough, Emmons y Tsang (2002) y la versión de cinco ítems propuesta por Chen et al. (2009). Resultados de una muestra de 1112 adultos indican que la versión de cinco ítems tiene excelente consistencia interna (α=.926; ω=.891; GLB=.913); cargas factoriales altas y significativas (mayores a .8; p < .01), y excelentes índices de calidad de ajuste (χ²(5)=23.837, p<.001; CFI=.997; TLI=.995; RMSEA=.082, p=.045; SRMSR=.035; WRMSR=.837). La validez de criterio se evaluó aplicando subescalas del PERMA-Profiler: emociones positivas (ρ=.5702, p=.021) y emociones negativas (ρ=-.1786, p=.0316). Finalmente, se ha encontrado equivalencia psicométrica entre el sexo de los participantes. En conclusión, el cuestionario de cinco ítems es válido y fiable en el contexto ecuatoriano. (AU)