Translation and Validation of the Spanish Version of the MAPS20 and ISRI Scales

Abstract

Abstract: Emerging adulthood has been defined as a critical life stage. According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, developing a sense of self and a personal identity is a critical task of adolescence and emerging adulthood. A well-integrated identity is critical for emerging adults because such identity provides a meaningful and consistent self-structure despite the inevitable events encountered in life. The aim of the present study was to translate and validate the Multi-Measure Agentic Personality Scale (MAPS20) and Identity Stage Resolution Index (ISRI) scales into Spanish. Both scales are key measures to assess identity capital, which refers to the assumption of identity commitments and adult roles during emerging adulthood. Back-translation procedures were performed to create Spanish versions of both scales. The scales were administered to a nationally representative sample of 1,200 Spanish emerging adults aged 18–32 years (M = 25.3, SD = 4.13). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFI) were conducted to assess the factor structure, validity, and reliability of scores generated by these measures. The results suggested adequate model fit [MAPS20 (RMSEA = .066, CFI = .953, and TLI = .945); ISRI (RMSEA = .052, CFI = .999 and TLI = .997)] and evidence for convergent and discriminant validity. We therefore concluded that the Spanish versions of the MAPS20 and ISRI scales are valid and reliable for evaluating intangible agentic resources and identity resolution in emerging adults. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords

• translation and validation
• identity capital
• emerging adulthood
• identity resolution
• psychosocial development