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The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a global crisis with severe consequences for public health. There have been negative impacts on people's quality of life and mental health due to various stressors arising in this context, such as physical, social, economic, and psychological challenges. Noteworthy among these are the indirect effects of health measures, especially social distancing and confinement, which have significantly altered people's daily lives and social activities, producing high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. This study proposes developing and validating a cross-sectional scale called the "Environmental Stressors Scale (ECSS-20)" to address the need to measure the impact of environmental stressors during confinement. The scale, which has been validated following ethical and methodological guidelines, consists of four dimensions: economic stressors (EE), social activities (SA), habitability (H), and exposure to virtual media (EMV). A pilot study (n = 113) and a main study (n = 314) were applied. The results showed that the instrument has a reliable and valid structure, with satisfactory internal consistency and factorial validity. Likewise, gender invariance tests supported its suitability for its applicability to women and men. Overall, the ECSS-20 is a valuable instrument for assessing the impact of confinement and improving the understanding of people's subjective experiences in this situation. Future research could further develop its applicability in different contexts and populations to better understand its usefulness and psychometric properties.

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Romantic love myths refer to culturally shared beliefs about love, falling in love and relationships. Their study and evaluation are of utmost importance, given that they have been recognized as a risk factor in dating violence with serious implications for the well-being and mental health of young people. The aim of the present study was therefore to develop a scale to evaluate beliefs about romantic love, establishing evidence of reliability and validity for the interpretation of the scores obtained. An instrumental cross-sectional design was carried out, applying the Multidimensional Romantic Love Myths Scale (MRL-MS) to a sample of 1001 Chilean young people between 18 and 25 years of age. As a result, a scale composed of 40 items assessing 8 interrelated dimensions was obtained, with evidence of validity based on internal structure, adequate levels of reliability, and evidence of metric and scalar invariance between sexes. Finally, the limitations of the study are discussed and possible applications and guidelines for future research are proposed.

Los mitos del amor romántico refieren a creencias culturalmente compartidas sobre el amor, el enamoramiento y las relaciones de pareja. Su estudio y evaluación son de suma importancia, dado que se han reconocido como un factor de riesgo en la violencia en el noviazgo con graves implicancia en el bienestar y salud mental de los jóvenes. Por tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio es desarrollar una escala que permita evaluar las creencias sobre el amor romántico, estableciendo evidencias de fiabilidad y validez para la interpretación de las puntuaciones obtenidas. Se llevó a cabo un diseño transversal de tipo instrumental, aplicando la Escala Multidimensional Mitos del Amor Romántico (MRL-MS) a una muestra de 1001 jóvenes chilenos entre 18 y 25 años. Como resultado, se obtuvo una escala compuesta por 40 ítems que evalúan 8 dimensiones interrelacionadas, con evidencia de validez basada en la estructura interna, adecuados niveles de fiabilidad, y evidencias de invarianza métrica y escalar entre sexos. Finalmente, se discuten las limitaciones del estudio y se proponen posibles aplicaciones y directrices para futuras investigaciones.

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BACKGROUND: Skepticism has traditionally been associated with critical thinking. However, philosophy has proposed a particular type of skepticism, termed naive skepticism, which may increase susceptibility to misinformation, especially when contrasting information from official sources. While some scales propose to measure skepticism, they are scarce and only measure specific topics; thus, new instruments are needed to assess this construct. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a scale to measure naive skepticism in the adult population. METHOD: The study involved 446 individuals from the adult population. Subjects were randomly selected for either the pilot study (phase 2; n = 126) or the validity-testing study (phase 3; n = 320). Parallel analyses and exploratory structural equation modelling were conducted to assess the internal structure of the test. Scale reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients Finally, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess invariance, and a Set- Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling was applied to estimate evidence of validity based on associations with other variables. RESULTS: The naive skepticism scale provided adequate levels of reliability (ω > 0.8), evidence of validity based on the internal structure of the test (CFI = 0.966; TLI = 0.951; RMSEA = 0.079), gender invariance, and a moderate inverse effect on attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed naive skepticism scale showed acceptable psychometric properties in an adult population, thus enabling the assessment of naive skepticism in similar demographics. This paper discusses the implications for the theoretical construct and possible limitations of the scale.

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Abstract Background Skepticism has traditionally been associated with critical thinking. However, philosophy has proposed a particular type of skepticism, termed naive skepticism, which may increase susceptibility to misinformation, especially when contrasting information from official sources. While some scales propose to measure skepticism, they are scarce and only measure specific topics; thus, new instruments are needed to assess this construct. Objective This study aimed to develop a scale to measure naive skepticism in the adult population. Method The study involved 446 individuals from the adult population. Subjects were randomly selected for either the pilot study (phase 2; n = 126) or the validity-testing study (phase 3; n = 320). Parallel analyses and exploratory structural equation modelling were conducted to assess the internal structure of the test. Scale reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients Finally, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess invariance, and a Set- Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling was applied to estimate evidence of validity based on associations with other variables. Results The naive skepticism scale provided adequate levels of reliability (ω > 0.8), evidence of validity based on the internal structure of the test (CFI = 0.966; TLI = 0.951; RMSEA = 0.079), gender invariance, and a moderate inverse effect on attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusions The newly developed naive skepticism scale showed acceptable psychometric properties in an adult population, thus enabling the assessment of naive skepticism in similar demographics. This paper discusses the implications for the theoretical construct and possible limitations of the scale.

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Antecedents: Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are not just dealing with their diagnoses. They are facing stigma due to their pathology. International research has proposed that individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia suffer more stigma than other types of mental issues. However, in Chile, a valid scale is not available to measure stigma against individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Objectives: To fill this gap, this research is aimed to develop and validate a scale to measure stigma against individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Methods: Two stages were completed to achieve the research objective. First, a pool of items was developed based on the three critical components of stigma, cognitive, affective and behavioral. Three independent judges were asked to assess the content aspects of the content validity of the items. Second, following an instrumental and longitudinal design with non-probabilistic with a quota sampling by gender (N = 607) the validity and reliability of the final scale was assessed. Results: A one-dimensional scale composed of 22 items showed good statistical boundaries. The observed factor loadings suggest that the items adequately represent the dimension (λ>, 6), and the reliability estimates are optimal (α>, 8; ω>, 8). Results suggest that the scale can be used the respondents' gender irrespectively.

Antecedentes: Las personas diagnosticadas con esquizofrenia no solo enfrentan su diagnóstico. Ellos también tienen que enfrentar el estigma producto de su patología. Investigaciones internacionales han propuesto que las personas diagnosticas con esquizofrenia sufren más de estigma que otras patologías mentales. Sin embargo, en Chile no existe una escala validada para medir el estigma hacia personas diagnosticadas con esquizofrenia. Objetivos: Para cubrir esta necesidad en la literatura, esta investigación tiene como objetivo desarrollar y validar un instrumento para medir el estigma hacia personas diagnosticadas con esquizofrenia. Métodos: Dos etapas fueron completadas para lograr el objetivo de investigación. En primer lugar, se desarrolló un set de ítems basados en los "tres componentes centrales del estigma: creencia, emoción y conducta". Se les solicitó a tres jueces independientes evaluar estas preguntas de acuerdo con su contenido y validez. En segundo lugar, siguiendo un diseño instrumental y longitudinal con muestreo no probabilístico por cuotas por género (N = 607) se evaluó la validez y confiabilidad de la escala final. Resultados: Una escala unidimensional compuesta por 22 ítems mostró buenos límites estadísticos. Las saturaciones de factores observadas sugieren que los ítems representan adecuadamente la dimensión (λ>, 6), y las estimaciones de confiabilidad son óptimas (α>, 8; ω>, 8). Los resultados sugieren que la escala se puede utilizar independientemente del género de los encuestados

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With the massification of the Internet and social networks, a new form of dating violence called cyber-violence has emerged, which involves behaviors of control, humiliation, intimidation and threats towards the partner or ex-partner. Using a non-probabilistic sample of 1,001 participants aged 18 to 25 years, the present study used an ex post facto, retrospective, cross-sectional, single-group design to analyze the joint effects that beliefs associated with dating violence such as romantic love myths, jealousy, and sexism have on the victimization and perpetration of cyber-violence. The results evidenced that jealousy is involved in both Cyber-victimization and Cyber-harassment perpetrated, while sexist beliefs are only involved in perpetration. In the discussion section, it is postulated that cyber-violence is a phenomenon that is more related to the probability of aggression, but not to the probability of being a victim. Finally, limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

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Background: Quantification of change is crucial for correctly estimating the effect of a treatment and for distinguishing random or non-systematic changes from substantive changes. The objective of the present study was to learn about the performance of two distribution-based methods [the Jacobson-Truax Reliable Change Index (RCI) and the Hageman-Arrindell (HA) approach] that were designed for evaluating individual reliable change. Methods: A pre-post design was simulated with the purpose to evaluate the false positive and false negative rates of RCI and HA methods. In this design, a first measurement is obtained before treatment and a second measurement is obtained after treatment, in the same group of subjects. Results: In relation to the rate of false positives, only the HA statistic provided acceptable results. Regarding the rate of false negatives, both statistics offered similar results, and both could claim to offer acceptable rates when Ferguson's stringent criteria were used to define effect sizes as opposed to when the conventional criteria advanced by Cohen were employed. Conclusion: Since the HA statistic appeared to be a better option than the RCI statistic, we have developed and presented an Excel macro so that the greater complexity of calculating HA would not represent an obstacle for the non-expert user.

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Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a public health problem that affect the quality of life and well-being of people, especially the youth, who have been identified as a high-risk population. Physical inactivity is a key risk factor for NCDs, and an unhealthy diet is a significant driver of NCDs. On the other hand, physical exercise and healthy habits are effective methods of prevention. Although there are scales that measure different behaviors related to NCDs, most of them have been developed in another language (e.g., English) or only focus on one aspect of NCDs. The present study aimed to develop a scale to assess healthy behaviors (i.e., healthy eating and physical exercise) in Spanish-speaking university students, using an instrumental design, with a sample of 369 Chilean university students between 18 and 25 years of age. The results presented show evidence of validity through an exploratory structural equation model (ESEM), reliability estimation through McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha, evidence of invariance by sex, and evidence of validity in relation to other variables with an SEM model. It is concluded that the Healthy Behavior Scale, consisting of nine items to measure healthy eating and physical exercise, is a brief instrument with evidence of reliability and validity (CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.995; and RMSEA = 0.063) for application in a Spanish-speaking university population, offering potential applications in research instruments, screening studies, and the development of new studies for other contexts.

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Men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the populations most likely to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) worldwide. Sexual risk behaviors (SRB) are the main route of HIV transmission. Among the factors associated with SRB, internalized homophobia (rejection of one's sexuality) is a risk factor unique for MSM. However, how this factor influences SRB is not clear. Therefore, the present study attempts to clarify the mechanism of action of the relationship between internalized homophobia on SRB based on the mediating effects of sexual self-concept. A study was conducted with 124 MSM living in Chile over 18 years of age (M = 24.4 and SD = 4.19). Through path analysis, it was observed that internalized homophobia has slight inverse effects on SRBs (multiple sexual partners and sexual activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs) when the sexual self-efficacy dimension acts as a mediating variable. These findings suggest that developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns focused on MSM must highlight the development of a healthy sexual self-concept and address self-stigma.

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health problem, with sexual risk behaviors (SRB) being the main routes of spreading the virus. Evidence indicates that different psychological factors influence SRB (e.g., attitude towards condoms, sexual self-concept, sexual sensation seeking, knowledge of sexual risk behaviors, risk perception). This study proposes an explanatory model of sexual risk behaviors in young people and adults. The sample consisted of 992 young people and adults aged between 18 and 35 years. The model presented good levels of fit (X2 = 3311.433, df = 1471, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.036), explaining 56% of the variance of sexual activity with multiple partners, 77% of the inadequate use of protective barriers, and 58.8% of sexual activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs from a set of psychological factors in self-report measures. The details of the results offer novel contextual evidence for the prioritization of prevention-oriented psychosocial interventions.

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This study aimed to adapt the Flourishing Scale to a Chilean high school context and provide evidence of its validity. Data were collected from 1,348 students (52% girls) from three different Chilean schools. The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a one-factor solution, multiple-group CFA supported gender invariance, and structural equation model indicated that the FS is related to positive and negative academic feelings. Overall, the evidence indicates that the Flourishing Scale adapted to the high school context is an instrument that produces valid and reliable scores in our high school Chilean sample.

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BACKGROUND: Sexual self-concept has a central role in the life of the elderly population. Indeed, their sexual self-concept has significant and positive relationships with their satisfaction with life, pleasure, and willingness to interact with others. However, social-cultural prejudice means that the elderly are considered asexual individuals, harming their sexual self-concept. This prejudice is prominent in Chile, where the elderly do not have access to clear information about their sexuality. However, research on the Chilean elderly population is still in its infancy and requires more attention. Hence, this research aims to construct and validate a scale of sexual self-concept for the elderly Chilean population to cover this identified gap in the literature. METHODS: Sixty items were integrated into the first version of the scale. Ten external judges were asked to assess the content validity. Twenty-eight items were maintained. Subsequently, an instrumental and cross-sectional design was implemented with a non-probabilistic sampling (N = 188). Items were refined with corrected homogeneity indices and conditional estimates of Cronbach's alpha and Omega coefficient. RESULTS: A final scale of nine items equally distributed in three dimensions was obtained: Sexual self-efficacy (ω = 0.867), Sexual assertiveness (ω = 0.764), and Sexual self-esteem (ω = 0.803). The confirmatory factor analysis reflects that the theoretical model has an adequate fit (CFI = .989; TLI = .984; RMSEA = .086). CONCLUSIONS: The data analyses confirmed that the scale has adequate psychometric properties. This scale can be used for multidimensional measurements of sexual self-concept in the elderly in Chile. Further research can confirm its psychometric properties in different settings within the Spanish language population.

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Condom use is the most effective preventive behavior against HIV transmission, and its inadequate use is a public health problem that occurs mostly among youth and young adults. Although there are scales that measure condom use, those that exist correspond to English-speaking developments or do not have psychometric evidence to support them, so it is possible that the available adaptations of instruments do not adequately reflect the phenomenon in the Chilean population. Thus, the study aims to develop a scale to assess attitudes toward condom use in Chilean youth and young adults. Initially, a sample of students between 18 and 39 years (n = 520) was used for debugging the instrument. Then, a second sample was taken from the general population aged 18 to 40 (n = 992) to confirm the factor structure of the proposed model. The final scale has 10 items and 3 attitudinal dimensions (affective, cognitive, and behavioral). The results show that the identified structure provides adequate levels (ω > 0.7) or at least sufficient of reliability (ω > 0.6) and presents evidence of validity, based on the internal structure of the test, through ESEM (CFI = 0.993; TLI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.056). In addition, evidence of validity was obtained based on the relationship with other variables and strong invariance between the scores of men and women. It is concluded that the scale developed has adequate psychometric properties to assess, in brief form, condom use attitudes in equal samples for research and screening purposes.

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Resumen: El Suicidio es un grave problema de salud pública, por lo que evaluar su riesgo es fundamental para su prevención. Si bien existen múltiples factores relacionados, se cuentan con pocos instrumentos psicométricos para la medición conjunta de factores protectores y de riesgo, dificultando una comprensión multidimensional del comportamiento suicida. Sobre esta base, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo desarrollar una propuesta de evaluación multidimensional, de rápida aplicación, que permita evaluar tanto factores de riesgo como protectores. Se utilizó un diseño transversal, de tipo instrumental, junto a un muestreo no probabilístico, por disponibilidad, con dos muestras, de adultos jóvenes mayores de 18 años (n= 405 y n=117). El instrumento final se compone de 25 ítems y 5 dimensiones (i.e. ideación suicida, estrategias de afrontamiento enfocadas en la emoción, autoestima, apoyo social percibido y expectativas hacia el futuro). Los resultados indican buen ajuste del modelo, utilizando ESEM , adecuados niveles de fiabilidad (ω> .8) (α > 0.7). Además, se contó con evidencia de validez basada en la relación con otras variables e invarianza métrica entre hombres y mujeres. Los resultados obtenidos, sugieren que las puntuaciones son fiables y presentan evidencias de validez para su interpretación en población equivalente.

Abstract: Suicide is a major public health concern, making risk assessment essential for its prevention. Although there are multiple related factors, there are few psychometric tools for the joint measurement of both protective and risk factors, making a multidimensional understanding of suicidal behaviour difficult. On this basis, the present study aims to develop a quickly applicable, multidimensional assessment approach to evaluate both risk and protective factors. A cross-sectional, instrumental design was used, together with a non-probabilistic, availability sampling, with two samples of young adults over 18 years of age (n=405 and n=117). The final measure is composed by 25 items and 5 dimensions (i.e. suicidal ideation, emotion-focused coping strategies, self-esteem, perceived social support and expectations towards the future). Results show good model fit, using ESEM, adequate levels of reliability (ω> .8) (α > 0.7). In addition, there was evidence of validity based on the relationship with other variables and metric invariance between men and women. Results suggest that the scores are reliable and present evidence of validity for their interpretation in equivalent populations.

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This brief report assessed the psychometric validity and gender invariance of the School Burnout Inventory (SBI) -a measure of students' exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy- in a convenience sample of 972 high school Chilean students ranging between 12 and 18 years old. The results showed that: (1) the SBI produces adequate scores in terms of reliability; (2) two models (one solution of three related factors and one of second-order and three first-order factors) fitted adequately fit to our sample and was invariant across gender; and (3) the SBI scores were significantly related to other related constructs (i.e., study-related emotions, academic psychological capital, and academic engagement). Overall, the SBI was found to be a reliable and valid inventory to assess school burnout in Chilean high school students.

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Resumen El objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Orientación hacia la Dominancia Social (SDO), en una muestra no universitaria de la ciudad de Arica, Chile, implementando técnicas psicométricas de acuerdo con el estado del arte disciplinar. El muestreo fue no probabilístico, por conveniencia y disponibilidad de 812 participantes, entre edades de 18 a 89 años. Se realizaron estimaciones de fiabilidad, análisis factoriales confirmatorios y modelos de ecuaciones estructurales exploratorios, contrastando diferentes modelos. Los resultados proporcionaron evidencia de validez basada en la estructura interna de la prueba, presentando buen ajuste de la estructura de la SDO (RMSEA=.076; CFI=.963; TLI=.956), y adecuados niveles estimados de fiabilidad (Oposición a la Igualdad: α=.85, ω=.84; Dominancia Grupal: α =.67, ω =.66). Finalmente, se concluye que las puntuaciones de la escala SDO poseen evidencia suficiente para sustentar su uso e interpretación, en población no universitaria equivalente a la del presente estudio.

Abstract The objective of this research is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) Scale in a non-university sample of the city of Arica, Chile, implementing psychometric techniques according to the state of disciplinary art. The sampling was non-probabilistic due to the convenience and availability of 812 participants in a range of ages from 18 to 89 years. To contrast different models were performed reliability estimates, confirmatory factorial analyses, and exploratory structural equation models. The results provided evidence of validity based on the internal structure of the test, presenting good adjustment of the SDO structure (RMSEA=.076; CFI=.963; TLI=.956), and estimated adequate levels of reliability (Opposition to the Equality: α=.85, ω=.84, Group dominance: α =.67, ω =.66). Finally, the research concluded that the scores of the SDO scale have sufficient evidence to support its use and interpretation, in a non-university population equivalent to that of the present study.

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Abstract Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), mainly HIV/AIDS, are acquired through risky sexual behaviors that have been associated with sexual sensation seeking. The purpose of this work is development a new scale for the assessment of sexual sensations seeking, with evidence of validity based on internal structure and relationship to other measures, for use in young people and adults in a Latin American context. An instrumental study was performed, with time-space sampling of students from the two Chilean cities with the highest rates of HIV. Final scale has 9 items to evaluate two dimensions: (1) sexual emotions seeking and (2) tendency to sexual boredom. The identified structure provides good levels of reliability and presents validity evidence, based on the internal structure of the test, using CFA and ESEM. Two-dimensional sexual sensation seeking scale evidence proper psychometric properties to evaluate the seeking for sexual sensations in equivalents samples.

Resumen Resumen Las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), principalmente el VIH/SIDA, son adquiridas a través de comportamientos sexuales de riesgo que se han asociado con la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales. El propósito de este trabajo es desarrollar un nuevo instrumento de medida para evaluar la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales en jóvenes y adultos en Latinoamérica. Se realizó un estudio instrumental, con un muestreo espaciotemporal en estudiantes de las dos ciudades chilenas con mayores índices de VIH. La escala final contiene 9 ítems para evaluar dos dimensiones: (1) búsqueda de emociones sexuales y (2) tendencia al aburrimiento sexual. La estructura identificada proporciona niveles adecuados de confiabilidad y presenta evidencia de validez, basada en la estructura interna del test, utilizando AFC y ESEM. La Escala Bidimensional de Búsqueda de Sensaciones Sexuales evidencia propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para eva luar la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales en muestras equivalentes.

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HIV/AIDS is a public health problem that is transmitted through risky sexual behavior. The literature suggests that the perception of HIV risk is a motivator for the prevention of risky sexual behaviors. There is no culturally adapted scale to assess HIV risk perception in the Hispanic-American population. The aim of this research was to develop a scale to assess HIV risk perception in Hispanic-American young adults. A cross-sectional instrumental design was used, with a sample of students from the Chilean city with the highest HIV rates. Participants (n = 524) were between 18 and 33 years old, of whom 51% were women, 84.4% said they were heterosexual and 43.7% said they had not been tested for HIV/AIDS. The final scale has 9 items and 2 dimensions: (1) perceived risk susceptibility and (2) perceived risk severity. The results showed that the identified structure provided adequate levels of reliability (ω > .8) and presented evidence of validity, based on the internal structure of the test (i.e., using ESEM) and on the relationship with other variables (i.e., the sexual risk behaviors scale). In addition, the results showed strong invariance between the scores for men and women. It is concluded that the HIV risk perception scale has adequate psychometric properties to assess HIV risk perception in equivalent samples.

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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: STIs and HIV/AIDS are an important public health problem, transmitted by risky sex behaviours. In this context, it is necessary to identify protective factors, of those behaviours, as sexual self-concept. Sexual self-concept is a multidimensional trait (i.e. sexual self-esteem; sexual self-efficacy; and sexual assertiveness), but, in an extensive review, we did not find any measure to assess this multidimensional construct in a Spanish-speaking context. The objective of this research is development a scale to assess sexual self-concept in young people and adults. METHOD: Time-space sampling with a total size of 792 participants, coming from the two Chilean cities (i.e. Arica and Iquique) with the highest HIV rates, aged between 17 and 53 years old (ME = 23.42; SD = 6.33), with 66.2% women (N = 500), 33.6% men (N = 258). RESULTS: Final scale has 16 items and 4 dimensions: sexual self-esteem, sexual self-efficacy, assertive sexual communication, and assertive sexual behaviour. The identified structure provides satisfactory levels of reliability (ω > .8) and presents robust evidence of validity, based on the internal structure of the test, using ESEM (RMSEA = .060; CFI = .99; TLI = .98), evidence of validity based on relationship to other variables (i.e. risky sexual behaviour) and measurement invariance between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: The multidimensional scale of sexual self-concept has adequate psychometric properties to assess sexual self-concept in equivalent samples.

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Abstract Background/objective: STIs and HIV/AIDS are an important public health problem, transmitted by risky sex behaviours. In this context, it is necessary to identify protective factors, of those behaviours, as sexual self-concept. Sexual self-concept is a multidimensional trait (i.e. sexual self-esteem; sexual self-efficacy; and sexual assertiveness), but, in an extensive review, we did not find any measure to assess this multidimensional construct in a Spanish-speaking context. The objective of this research is development a scale to assess sexual self-concept in young people and adults. Method: Time-space sampling with a total size of 792 participants, coming from the two Chilean cities (i.e. Arica and Iquique) with the highest HIV rates, aged between 17 and 53 years old (ME = 23.42; SD = 6.33), with 66.2% women (N = 500), 33.6% men (N = 258). Results: Final scale has 16 items and 4 dimensions: sexual self-esteem, sexual self-efficacy, assertive sexual communication, and assertive sexual behaviour. The identified structure provides satisfactory levels of reliability (ω > .8) and presents robust evidence of validity, based on the internal structure of the test, using ESEM (RMSEA = .060; CFI = .99; TLI = .98), evidence of validity based on relationship to other variables (i.e. risky sexual behaviour) and measurement invariance between men and women. Conclusions: The multidimensional scale of sexual self-concept has adequate psychometric properties to assess sexual selfconcept in equivalent samples.

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