Multi-Validity Process and Factor-Invariance. Perceived Self-Efficacy-Scale for the Prevention of Obesity in Preteens
Gilda Gómez-Peresmitré,
Romana Silvia Platas Acevedo,
Gisela Pineda-García,
Rebeca Guzmán-Saldaña,
Rodrigo Cesar León-Hernández,
Nazira Calleja
Affiliations
Gilda Gómez-Peresmitré
Faculty of Psychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Av. Universidad 3004 Col Copilco-Universidad, Alcaldía Coyoacán, Mexico City C.P. 04510, Mexico
Romana Silvia Platas Acevedo
Faculty of Psychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Av. Universidad 3004 Col Copilco-Universidad, Alcaldía Coyoacán, Mexico City C.P. 04510, Mexico
Gisela Pineda-García
Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Autonomous University of Baja California, Cal. University 14418, International Industrial Park, Tijuana C.P. 22390, Mexico
Rebeca Guzmán-Saldaña
Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Camino a Tilcuautla s/n Pueblo San Juan Tilcuautla, Hidalgo C.P. 42160, Mexico
Rodrigo Cesar León-Hernández
National Council of Science and Technology. Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Col. Crédito Constructor. Alcaldía Benito Juárez, Mexico City C.P. 03940, Mexico
Nazira Calleja
Faculty of Psychology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Av. Universidad 3004 Col Copilco-Universidad, Alcaldía Coyoacán, Mexico City C.P. 04510, Mexico
Given the lack of scales with a robust psychometric assessment of self-efficacy related to obesity in early adolescence, we aimed to obtain an instrument with high-quality validity and reliability items. Nonrandom samples (N = 2371) classified boys (1174, M = 12.83, SD = 0.84) and girls (1197, M = 12.68, SD = 0.78) from Mexico City and some cities of the Mexican Republic with obesity rates near to the national level mean. A multi-validity process and structural invariance analysis using the Perceived Self-efficacy Scale for Obesity Prevention were performed. A two-factor—physical activity and healthy eating—model with high effect-sized values—girls R2 (0.88, p 2 (0.87, p < 0.01)—were obtained. Each factor explained more than half of the variance with high-reliability coefficients in each group and acceptable adjustment rates. The self-efficacy scale proved to have only girls, an invariant factor structure, or a psychometric equivalence between the groups. The obtained scale showed that a two-factor structure is feasible and appropriate, according to the highest quality of validity and reliability.
