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Communication apprehension (CA) refers to an individual's level of fear or anxiety toward either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons. The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) is the most widely used measure of CA, even among healthcare students. This study aimed to undertake a cross-cultural adaptation of this scale, translate it into Brazilian Portuguese, and examine its psychometric properties among healthcare students. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation procedures were undertaken with the objective of establishing compatibility between the original and translated scales. The content validity of the scale was established based on the feedback of a multidisciplinary expert committee. Its psychometric properties were evaluated using a convenience sample of 616 healthcare students. Its construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Its internal consistency was examined by computing Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Its criterion validity was examined against the Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale (ICCS). The adapted scale demonstrated acceptable content validity. EFA showed that it was undergirded by one dimension, and this observation was confirmed by the results of CFA. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Its convergent validity was examined by conducting correlation analysis, and scores on the adapted PRCA-24 were negatively correlated with scores on the ICCS. The Brazilian version of the PRCA-24 has satisfactory psychometric properties and is, therefore, suitable for use with Brazilian healthcare students. It can be used to assess their communication needs for the purpose of designing tailored training programs.

Este estudo teve como objetivos realizar a análise fatorial confirmatória da Escala de Estresse Percebido (Perceived Stress Scale- PSS), nas versões traduzidas de 14, 10 e 4 itens; analisar sua validade concorrente com o Questionário de Saúde Geral (QSG-12); mapear o perfil do estresse em uma amostra representativa da população; e estabelecer parâmetros de avaliação do estresse por meio da normatização dos escores da população total. A amostragem foi de base populacional, em formato de conglomerado por setores censitários. Participaram 1.154 habitantes de uma capital do Nordeste brasileiro, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (55,6%), com nível de escolaridade em ensino médio (51,7%), empregados (72,7%) e não tabagistas (90,6%). As medianas de renda e idade ficaram em R$ 1.200,00 e 29 anos. Ao final, constatou-se que houve ajustes satisfatórios para as três versões da PSS apenas em seu modelo bifatorial e a escala com 10 itens se mostrou uma solução harmônica entre as versões completa e mais reduzida, considerando-se a relação entre a parcimônia na quantidade de itens e a robustez estatística deste instrumento. Ademais, a PSS ratificou sua validade concorrente com o QSG-12 e foi feita a normatização dos escores da PSS, estabelecendo-se parâmetros para comparação em futuros estudos.

Stress has proved to be an important research topic in recent decades, given its influence on physical and mental health. As a way of evaluating this construct, the 10-Item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) has been the most used measure. The present study was conducted considering the questions that are still present concerning the factorial structure of the instrument and the scarcity of studies focused on item analysis with the Brazilian population. Based on the results of 4.970 Brazilians of both sexes, with an average age of 31.3 years (SD = 11.89), from the five regions of Brazil, the confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit of the one-dimensional model. Subsequently, the item response theory indicated adequate residuals (infit and outfit) for all items and satisfactory item-theta correlation values. The scale precision was α = .89. Four items showed differential functioning for the gender variable, three in favor of men. The analysis made it possible to identify the thoughts and feelings that most differentiate individuals with a high level of perceived stress, adding evidence of validity to the instrument for use in the Brazilian population.

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Abstract This study aimed to present validity evidence based on internal structure of the Kessler Scale of Psychological Distress (K10), to show its relations with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and to present a social distribution of distress in the present sample. Participated in the study 717 residents of Aracaju, State of Sergipe, by means of household data collection. A sociodemographic questionnaire, K10, and PSS-10 were used as instruments. Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed using the Factor software, which indicated the scale unidimensionality, explaining 69.9% of the variance. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.93, and the model adjustment indices were satisfactory. A positive and statistically significant association between K10 and PSS-10 was observed. Regarding the social distribution, the levels of distress were higher in women, patients with chronic diseases, users of controlled drugs, and unemployed participants. It was concluded that K10 presented robust psychometric properties for the detection of distress in general population. Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo presentar evidencias de validez basadas en la estructura interna de la Escala Kessler de Malestar Psicológico (K10), señalar sus relaciones con la Escala de Estrés Percibido (PSS-10) y las relaciones actuales entre el malestar y las variables sociodemográficas (distribución social) en la presente muestra. Participaron del estudio 717 residentes del municipio de Aracaju, provincia de Sergipe, por medio de la recolección domiciliaria. Se utilizaron el cuestionario sociodemográfico K10 y PSS-10 como instrumentos. El Análisis Factorial Exploratorio se realizó a partir del software Factor, que indicó la unidimensionalidad factorial de la escala, explicando el 69,9% de la varianza. El alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,93 y los índices de ajuste del modelo fueron satisfactorios. Se observó una asociación positiva y estadísticamente significativa entre K10 y PSS-10. En cuanto a la distribución social, los niveles de malestar fueron mayores en mujeres, portadores de enfermedades crónicas, usuarios de medicamentos controlados y desempleados. Se concluyó que la K10 presenta propiedades psicométricas robustas para el rastreo del distrés en la población general. Resumo Este estudo objetivou apresentar evidências de validade da estrutura interna da Escala Kessler de Distresse Psicológico (K10), apontar sua relação com a Escala de Estresse Percebido (PSS-10) e apresentar relações entre o distresse e variáveis sociodemográficas (distribuição social) na amostra. Participaram do estudo 717 residentes do município de Aracaju, Sergipe, por meio de coleta domiciliar. Utilizaram-se questionário sociodemográfico, a K10 e a PSS-10 como instrumentos. Realizou-se análise fatorial exploratória com o software Factor, que indicou a unidimensionalidade fatorial da escala, explicando 69,9% da variância. O alfa de Cronbach foi 0,93 e os índices de ajuste do modelo foram satisfatórios. Observou-se uma associação positiva e estatisticamente significativa entre a K10 e a PSS-10. Quanto à distribuição social, os níveis de distresse foram maiores em mulheres, portadores de doenças crônicas, usuários de medicamentos controlados e desempregados. Concluiu-se que a K10 apresentou propriedades psicométricas robustas para rastreamento do distresse na população geral.

Depression and anxiety are common in adolescents, and poor mental health in this group leads to harm in adulthood. This study investigates to what extent gender, age, body image dissatisfaction, and self-esteem were related to depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The sample consisted of 1,209 high school students of both sexes, aged 13-19 years (M = 15.8; SD = 1.23). The instruments were: sociodemographic questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Stunkard Figure Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multinomial logistic regression indicated that being female and having low or moderate self-esteem satisfactorily explained the anxiety symptoms. Reduced self-esteem was the best explanation for depressive symptoms, and finally, reduced rates of self-esteem satisfactorily explained symptoms for both disorders.

Objective. To determine the levels of communication apprehension experienced by health professions students in Brazil. Method. A cross-sectional study of dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, and nursing students at a Brazilian university was conducted from December 2019 to May 2020. The students were invited to complete the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) and provide demographic data. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Results. A total of 644 health students answered the survey, and 25.5% were classified as having high communication apprehension. Male participants had significantly lower PRCA-24 scores than female participants. No significant differences were found between PRCA-24 scores by age category or academic year. Medical students had significantly lower mean PRCA-24 scores than pharmacy students. Conclusion. The prevalence of communication apprehension was high among health professions students. Women and pharmacy students had the highest communication apprehension scores. Health educators should consider the effects of communication apprehension on students and use adequate interventions during communication skills training to alleviate this apprehension.

Previous studies have indicated the high frequency of stressors and stress in graduate studies, however, there is a need to better understand the role of coping strategies in this environment and the impact of all these variables on the well-being of students. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stressors and self-efficacy, mediated by stress and coping, in the psychological well-being of graduate students in Accounting. To achieve the aim, an online survey was carried out, with a questionnaire consisting of the Stressors (worries and difficulties), General Self-Efficacy, Perceived Stress, Brief Cope and General Health Questionnaire (to measure well-being) scales, in addition to questions about the respondents’ profile. The sample consisted of 366 participants. It was observed that the most stressors show the fear of not achieving good results and the difficulty in reconciling the demands of graduate studies with other aspects of life. On average, students had high self-efficacy and most had a high stress level. The most used coping strategies were active coping, self-blame and positive reinterpretation. With the use of mediation analysis, it was concluded that stressors, as well as self-efficacy, are mediated by stress and by the positive reinterpretation strategy, thus explaining the psychological well-being of graduate students. In this way, the identification of the investigated variables encourages debate and provides support for the planning and execution of institutional actions that aim to alleviate stressors, as well as help students to develop greater adaptive capacity in the face of postgraduate challenges. Estudos anteriores indicaram a alta frequência de estressores e estresse na pós-graduação, contudo notou-se a necessidade de compreender melhor o papel das estratégias de enfrentamento nesse ambiente e o impacto de todas essas variáveis no bem-estar dos discentes. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação dos estressores e autoeficácia, mediados pelo estresse e enfrentamento, com o bem-estar psicológico de pós-graduandos em Ciências Contábeis. Para o alcance do objetivo, realizou-se um survey on-line, com questionário constituído pelas escalas de Estressores (preocupações e dificuldades), Autoeficácia-Geral, Estresse Percebido, Brief Cope e Questionário de Saúde Geral (para mensurar o bem-estar), além de questões sobre o perfil dos respondentes. A amostra foi constituída por 366 participantes. Observou-se que os estressores mais frequentes evidenciam o receio de não alcançar bons resultados e a dificuldade em conciliar as demandas da pós-graduação com outros aspectos da vida. Na média, os discentes apresentaram autoeficácia elevada e a maioria apresentou nível alto de estresse. As estratégias de enfrentamento mais usadas foram enfrentamento ativo, autoculpabilização e reinterpretação positiva. Com o uso da análise de mediação, concluiu-se que os estressores, bem como a autoeficácia, são mediados pelo estresse e pela estratégia de reinterpretação positiva, explicando, assim o bem-estar psicológico dos pós-graduandos. Dessa forma, a identificação das variáveis investigadas fomenta o debate e fornece respaldo para o planejamento e execução de ações institucionais que objetivem amenizar estressores, bem como auxiliar os discentes para que eles desenvolvam maior capacidade adaptativa frente aos desafios da pós-graduação.

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition (BDI-II) in a sample of adults. Specifically, we evaluated the BDI-II based on confirmatory factor analysis of different measurement models, and compared the optimal factor structure of the BDI-II by gender using measurement invariance analysis. Method: A cross-sectional survey with 717 community-dwelling adults was conducted. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the BDI-II was administered. Seven different models (one-, two-, three-factor models and their bifactor structures) were tested through CFA. CFA and multigroup analysis were executed with the software MPLUS (Weighted Least Squares Estimator - WLSMV). Results: Four bifactor models reached acceptable fit indices. A bifactor model with two specific factors (Cognitive-Affective, and Somatic-Affective) provided the best fit to the data. The multigroup analysis of this model demonstrated invariance by gender. Conclusions: Our findings support the use of the total BDI-II score to identify depressive symptoms, including gender comparisons. Since a bifactor structure fit the data better, the scores of the specific factors should not be used as the first choice, or at least should be used with caution. The analysis of the severity of depression, based on a total score, seems to be the most appropriate option.

O presente estudo teve como principal intuito mapear as relações entre estressores, estresse, enfrentamento e bem-estar subjetivo em mestrandos e doutorandos no Brasil, tendo sido elaborado um modelo explicativo da determinação do bem-estar subjetivo nessa população. Para tanto, participaram 2150 pós-graduandos no Brasil, entre mestrandos e doutorandos, oriundos das cinco regiões do país e de todas as grandes áreas do conhecimento da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Os instrumentos utilizados foram um questionário sobre estressores na pós-graduação, a Escala de Estresse Percebido, a Escala de Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas e a Escala de Bem-Estar Subjetivo. Ao final, constatou-se que o modelo do bem-estar subjetivo, testado através de path analysis, denotou satisfatório ajuste e corroborou o pressuposto teórico.