Reverse-Coded Items Do Not Work in Spanish: Data From Four Samples Using Established Measures.

The potential for suboptimal psychometric performance of reverse-coded items may be particularly pronounced when scales are translated and administered in Spanish with these problems exacerbated in youth respondents. This is a significant concern, given the rapid rise in Hispanic-American and Spanish-speaking individuals in the US and their rightful, growing representation in psychological research and clinical care. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric performance of reverse-coded items across four Spanish-speaking samples spanning developmental stages including youth, college students, and parents (N = 1,084; Adolescents n = 107; M = 19.79; SD = 2.09; 41.1% female; Caregivers n = 58; M = 40.79; SD = 7.94; 60.3% female; Spanish-speaking adults in the US n = 157; M = 33.4; SD = 9.5; 68.8% female; and College students living in Latin America n = 783; M = 21.04; SD = 3.13; 69.2% female) and four scales (Big Five Inventory; Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale; Beck Hopelessness Scale); we expected reverse-coded items would demonstrate inadequate item-total correlations and their inclusion would compromise scale internal consistency. Hypotheses were supported with evidence of poor psychometric performance for at least two reverse-coded items on each instrument, such that un-reversing the items improved their item-total correlations. Across every instrument, alpha was either improved by excluding reverse-coded items or by including them in an un-reversed fashion and, overall, there was a moderate, negative effect of reverse-coded items on scale alphas. In growing consensus with previous authors, we recommend that reverse-coded items not be included in Spanish scales.

A Cross-sectional Study of the Mental Health Symptoms of Latin American, US Hispanic, and Spanish College Students Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Young adults and racial/ethnic minorities report the worst mental health outcomes during the COVID19 pandemic, according to the Center for Disease Control (2020). The objectives of this study were (1) to identify common mental health symptoms among Latin American, US Hispanic, and Spanish college students, and (2) to identify clinical features predictive of higher post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among this population. The study sample included 1,113 college students from the USA, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, and Spain who completed an online survey containing demographic questions and mental health screeners. Findings revealed higher scores of depression, suicidality, and PTSS compared to pre-pandemic levels and current scores by non-Spanish speaking college students; however, less than 5% of participants endorsed clinical levels of anxiety. After controlling for demographic profiles and sociocultural values, clinical symptoms of depression, loneliness, perceived stress, anxiety, and coping strategies explained 62% of the PTSS variance. Age, history of mental illness, perceived social support, and familism were not significant predictors. This sample of college students revealed higher mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high prevalence of PTSS highlights the need to develop pragmatic, cost-effective, and culturally sensitive prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate these symptoms. Implications for college administrators and clinicians are discussed.

Family functioning and school connectivity in Mexican high school adolescents / Funcionamento familiar e conectividade escolar em adolescentes mexicanos do Ensino Médio

Family functionality has shown its relevance in the comprehensive development of adolescents, with school connectivity being a very important aspect. To determine the association between family functioning and school connectivity in Mexican high school adolescents, an analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in a census of 396 adolescents in a public high school in Mexico. The self-report of family functioning and the school connectedness scale were used, both with α > 0.84. ꭕ2 and ANOVA were applied. The results show significant differences in conflict with shift (morning ꭕ2 = 42.47 vs. evening ꭕ2 = 40.35, F = 4.57, p = 0.033), and leadership with degree (1st ꭕ2 = 8.14, 2nd ꭕ2 = 8.97, 3rd ꭕ2 = 8.90, F = 3.52, p = 0.030). Connectivity associated with school variables (p < 0.05). There are no differences or association between sex, age or qualifications with connectivity. Family functioning was associated in affective expression with school (ꭕ2 = 3.77, p = 0.055) and in leadership with students (ꭕ2 = 2.92, p = 0.05). It is concluded that the leadership of the parents and the affective expression of the family favors school connectivity between students and with their school.

A funcionalidade familiar tem mostrado sua relevância no desenvolvimento integral dos adolescentes, sendo a conectividade escolar um aspecto muito importante. Para determinar a associação entre funcionamento familiar e conectividade escolar em adolescentes mexicanos do Ensino Médio, foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico em um censo de 396 adolescentes em uma escola pública no México. Foram utilizados o autorrelato de funcionamento familiar e a escala de conectividade escolar, ambos com α > 0,84. ꭕ2 e ANOVA foram aplicados. Os resultados mostram diferenças significativas no conflito com turno (ꭕ2 da manhã = 42,47 vs. ꭕ2 da noite = 40,35, F = 4,57, p = 0,033) e liderança com grau (1º ꭕ2 = 8,14, 2º ꭕ2 = 8,97, 3º ꭕ2 = 8,90, F = 3,52, p = 0,030). Conectividade associada a variáveis escolares (p < 0,05). Não há diferenças ou associação entre sexo, idade ou qualificações com conectividade. O funcionamento familiar foi associado na expressão afetiva com a escola (ꭕ2 = 3,77, p = 0,055) e na liderança com os alunos (ꭕ2 = 2,92, p = 0,05). Conclui-se que a liderança dos pais e a expressão afetiva da família favorece a conectividade escolar entre os alunos e com sua escola.