RESUMO

El propósito del presente artículo es informar las propiedades psicométricas y los datos normativos de la Escala de Autocuidado en población argentina. Dicha escala mide el autocuidado desde una conceptualización amplia e integral que incluye los aspectos materiales externos del autocuidado, el autocuidado intrapsíquico y los aspectos relacionales de cómo los humanos se cuidan a sí mismos. La escala está compuesta por 31 ítems que se responden con un formato tipo Likert de siete opciones de respuesta. Se diseñó un estudio no experimental, transversal, de tipo instrumental. Se estableció una muestra no probabilística conformada por 768 participantes de la República Argentina. Al realizar los estudios de validez de constructo se efectuó el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio observándose la agrupación de los ítems en seis factores. Con el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio se observó que el modelo de seis factores presentó un buen ajuste. Los resultados muestran una adecuada consistencia interna del test y una adecuada estabilidad test-retest luego de cinco semanas. En su conjunto, los resultados obtenidos en la investigación realizada son concordantes con los hallazgos del estudio original lo que indica que las propiedades psicométricas de la escala son confiables y válidos para ser utilizados en población general argentina.

O objetivo deste artigo é informar as propriedades psicométricas e os dados normativos da Escala de Autocuidado na população argentina. Dita escala mede o autocuidado a partir de uma conceituação ampla e integral, que inclui os aspectos materiais externos do autocuidado, o autocuidado intrapsíquico e os aspectos relacionais de como os seres humanos cuidam de si. A escala está composta por 31 itens que são respondidos em um formato do tipo Likert com sete opções de resposta. Foi desenhado um estudo não experimental, transversal, do tipo instrumental. Foi estabelecida uma amostra não probabilística composta por 768 sujeitos da República Argentina. Ao realizar os estudos de validade de construto, foi efetuada a Análise Fatorial Exploratória, observando-se o agrupamento dos itens em seis fatores. Com a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória, observou-se que o modelo de seis fatores apresentou um bom ajuste. Os resultados demostram uma adequada consistência interna do teste e uma adequada estabilidade teste-reteste após cinco semanas. Como um todo, os resultados obtidos na pesquisa realizada são consistentes com os achados do estudo original, o que indica que as propriedades psicométricas da escala são confiáveis e válidas para uso na população geral argentina.

The purpose of this paper is to report the psychometric properties and normative data of the Self-Care Scale in the Argentine population. The scale evaluates the self-care from an integral view of the construct, this includes the external aspects of the self-care, the intrapsychic self-care and the relational aspects of how human take care of themselves. The scale consists of 31 items that are answered from a Likert format that involve seven possible answers. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, instrumental-type study was designed. A non-probabilistic sample made up of 768 subjects residing in different provinces of the Argentine Republic was established. When carrying out the construct validity studies, the Exploratory Factor Analysis indicates the grouping of the items into six factors. With the Confirmatory Factor Analysis, it was observed that the six-factor model presented a good fit. The results show an adequate internal consistency of the test and an adequate test-retest stability after five weeks. The results obtained in the research carried out are consistent with the findings of the original study, which indicates that the studies of the psychometric properties of the scale are reliable and valid to be used in the general Argentine population.

RESUMO

Background: This study analyzed the difference in psychological distress of the healthcare workers in three different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Argentina. Specifically, from the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks. Methods: Analysis of the responses of 1,458 members of the health personnel was done on a questionnaire on healthcare workers concerns regarding the care of patients with coronavirus, indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping. Results: The psychological indicators that were considered presented differences between the evaluated periods. Perceived concerns about the possibility of infecting loved ones and infecting themselves were greatest in the periods after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the perception of how the work environment worsened and how lack of sleep interfered with their work was also higher in periods 2 and 3. The same results were found in the indicators of depression, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty. Finally, the indicators of high tension and concurrent lack of emotional control, which was greater in the last periods evaluated, were also expressed in the coping strategies (showing emotional lability, only contained by hypercontrol). Conclusion: The differences found in the psychological indicators between the evaluated periods support the need for early psychological care of health personnel which should be a priority of public health and a fundamental fact to increase its immediate effectiveness in the care of infected patients.

RESUMO

La Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) es una escala que evalúa, de forma global, la capacidad en la disposición de una persona de estar atento y consciente de la experiencia del momento presente en la vida cotidiana. El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de la MAAS en estudiantes universitarios argentinos. Se diseñó un estudio no experimental, transversal, de tipo instrumental. La base epistemológica utilizada fue la psicometría clásica. La muestra no probabilística estuvo constituida por 895 adultos argentinos de población universitaria. La edad promedio fue de 26.32 (DE = 6.946, Mín = 18, Máx = 48). El 54 % (n = 483) eran mujeres y el 45.6 % (n = 408) eran varones. Los análisis psicométricos informaron que la escala posee una estructura unidimensional con validez y fiabilidad adecuada (α = .89). La escala cuenta con adecuada evidencia de validez de constructo y con excelentes puntuaciones de consistencia interna, lo que determina que es un instrumento válido y confiable para evaluar atención de conciencia plena en población de estudiantes universitarios argentinos.

A Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) é uma escala que avalia, de forma global, a capacidade de disposição de uma pessoa em estar atenta e consciente da experiência do momento presente na vida cotidiana. O objetivo da pesquisa foi estudar as propriedades psicométricas do MAAS em estudantes universitários argentinos. Foi projetado um estudo não experimental, transversal e instrumental. A base epistemológica utilizada foi a psicometria clássica. A amostra não-probabilística consistiu de 895 adultos argentinos da população universitária. A idade média foi de 26.32 anos (DP = 6.946, Mín = 18, Máx = 48). 54 % (n = 483) eram mulheres e 45.6 % (n = 408) eram homens. As análises psicométricas relataram que a escala tem uma estrutura unidimensional com validade e confiabilidade adequadas (α = .89). A escala tem provas adequadas de validade construtiva e excelentes pontuações de consistência interna, que determinam que é um instrumento válido e confiável para avaliar a atenção de consciência plena de uma população de estudantes universitários argentinos.

The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is a scale that assesses, in a global way, the capacity in a person's disposition to be attentive and aware of the experience of the present moment in daily life. The aim of the present research was to study the psychometric properties of the MAAS in Argentine university students. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, instrumental study was designed. The epistemological basis used was classical psychometrics. The non-probabilistic sample consisted of 895 Argentine adults from university population. The mean age was 26.32 (SD = 6.946, Min = 18, Max = 48). Fifty-four percent (n = 483) were female and 45.6 % (n = 408) were male. Psychometric analyses reported that the scale has a unidimensional structure with adequate validity and reliability (α = .89). The scale has adequate evidence of construct validity and excellent internal consistency scores, which determine that it is a valid and reliable instrument to assess mindfulness attention in a population of Argentine university students.

RESUMO

Este artículo informa la adaptación lingüística y el análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Intolerancia a la Incertidumbre (EII) en población de Buenos Aires. La EII evalúa la intolerancia a la incertidumbre (II) que es uno de los componentes principales del trastorno de ansiedad generalizada (TAG) según el modelo teórico de Dugas. La intolerancia a la incertidumbre se define como una disposición característica que resulta de un conjunto de pensamientos negativos sobre la incertidumbre. La Escala de Intolerancia a la Incertidumbre (EII) está compuesta por 27 ítemes que se responden con un formato tipo Likert de cinco opciones de respuesta. Se analizaron los datos obtenidos de una muestra de 320 participantes, residentes de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires y el Gran Buenos Aires (República Argentina). Se obtuvieron correlaciones significativas con medidas criterio de preocupación (r = .44; p = .000) y ansiedad como estado (r = .36; p = .000) y como rasgo (r = .58; p = .000). Se estudió la estructura de la escala con el análisis de componentes principales y se obtuvieron dos factores que explican el 41.07% de la variancia total. Con respecto a la fiabilidad, los resultados indican una excelente consistencia interna de los ítemes igual a .93 y una estabilidad test-retest luego de cinco semanas, igual a .47. No se registraron diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de la escala según la edad y el sexo. En su conjunto, los resultados obtenidos en la investigación realizada son concordantes con los hallazgos de investigaciones anteriores. Dado que la II constituye un factor de vulnerabilidad para el TAG, es de utilidad contar con un cuestionario adaptado a la población local.

The purpose of this paper is to report as regards the linguistic and cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS, for its acronyms in English) in the adult population of Buenos Aires (Republica Argentina). The IUS assesses the intolerance of uncertainty (IU), which is one of the principal components of the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) according to the theoretical model of Dugas. IU has been defined as a dispositional characteristic that results from a set of negative beliefs about uncertainty and it has been proposed as a cognitive vulnerability factor for worry and GAD. Furthermore it may be defined more specifically as the excessive tendency of an individual to consider it unacceptable that a negative event may occur, however small the probability of its occurrence. In general, intolerance of uncertainty may be conceptualized as the way an individual perceives information in uncertain situations and responds to said information with a set of emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses. The IUS is composed of 27 items related to the idea that uncertainty is unacceptable, leads to frustration and the inability to take action and it reflected badly on a person. Participants rate items on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1: not at all characteristic of me to 5: entirely characteristic of me. Higher scores on the IUS indicate greater intolerance of uncertainty. The original French version of the IUS was developed in 1994 to assess emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions to ambiguous situations, implications of being uncertain, and attempts to control the future. In 2002, the IUS was translated from French to English. Similar to the original French measure, the English translation had shown excellent internal consistency and temporal stability. It has demonstrated convergent, criterial, and discriminant validity. On this study, the IUS translated into Spanish by three independent translators. The content validity was assessed through the use of three independent judges who had broad knowledge of anxiety disorder. The preliminary version was tested with a sample of 90 participants. The research was a descriptive and correlational study, with a transversal design The participants completed the following questionnaires: the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data obtained from a sample of 320 participants (168 females and 152 males) of the Ciudad and Provincia de Buenos Aires has been analyzed. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) - Version 22 software. In relation to the evidence of validity, significant correlations were obtained with worry (r = .44; p = .000) and anxiety as a state (r = .36; p = .000) and trait (r = .58; p = .000). The exploratory data analysis regarding the factor structure of the scale and dimensions of the construct indicated two factors that explain 41.07 % of the total variance. On the one hand, concerning the consistency of this scale, the results show an excellent internal consistency (.93) and a fairly strong test-retest reliability over a five-week period of .47. On the other hand, significant differences were not registered in the punctuations of the scale according to age and sex, and these findings are consistent with previous research. As a whole, the results obtained from the present investigation are consistent with the findings of previous investigations. Given that the IU constitutes a factor of vulnerability for the TAG, it is useful to rely on a questionnaire adapted to the local population. To conclude, the present study has demonstrated the sound psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the IUS.