Resumen La investigación sobre la evaluación de la ansiedad social en Iberoamérica es escasa. En los últimos años se ha informado sobre las características psicométricas del “Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos” (CASO) en distintos países iberoamericanos, excepto Perú. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las pruebas de validez basadas en el constructo, las pruebas de validez basadas en la relación con otras variables de tipo convergente y la fiabilidad del CASO, utilizando una muestra no clínica de 3064 peruanos. El análisis factorial confirmatorio comprobó que el modelo de cinco factores relacionados se ajustaba mejor a los datos que el modelo jerárquico y se halló que el modelo unifactorial no tenía un buen ajuste. Las correlaciones entre los factores del CASO (de .608 a .709) indicaron que cada uno de ellos evalúa aspectos específicos del constructo y aportan, a su vez, a la medición global del mismo. Los coeficientes de fiabilidad fueron de aceptables a muy buenos (.78( (( .85, .75( (( .83). La alta correlación (r= .69) con la subescala de Ansiedad de la “Escala de ansiedad social de Liebowitz, versión de autoinforme” (LSAS-SR), apoya su relación con la variable convergente. Estas adecuadas características psicométricas del CASO respaldan su utilización con población peruana.

Abstract Research on the assessment of social anxiety in Ibero-America is scarce. In recent years, the psychometric characteristics of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ) have been reported in different Ibero-American countries except Peru. The aim of this study was to analyze the construct and the convergent validity, and the reliability of the SAQ, using a non-clinical sample of 3064 Peruvians. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed that the model of five-related factors was better adjusted to the data than the hierarchical model, and that the unifactorial model did not have a good fit. The correlations between their factors (from .608 to .709) indicate that each of them evaluates specific aspects of the construct and also contribute to the overall measurement of it. The reliability coefficients were from acceptable to very good (.78( (( .85, .75( (( .83). The high correlation (r= .69) with the Anxiety subscale of the “Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self-Report version” (LSAS-SR) supports its convergent validity. These appropriate psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire support its use with the Peruvian population.

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR) based on a large sample recruited from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. Methods: Two groups of participants were included: a non-clinical sample involving 31,243 community subjects and a clinical sample comprising 529 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used in order to determine the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR. Results: EFA identified five factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.00 explaining 50.78% of the cumulative variance. CFA and ESEM supported this 5-factor structure of the LSAS-SR. The factors included: 1) speaking in public; 2) eating/drinking in front of other people; 3) assertive behaviors; 4) working/writing while being observed; and 5) interactions with strangers. Other psychometric properties such as inter-factor correlations, invariance, reliability, and validity of the scale were also found. Conclusion: Psychometric data support the internal consistency and convergent validity of the LSAS-SR. It seems to be a valid and reliable measure of global social anxiety for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, although when considering a multidimensional approach (factor-based assessment) it seems to be lacking some relevant social situations that are feared in those countries.

El «Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos» (CASO) es una medida de autoinforme desarrollada para los países de habla española y portuguesa. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la validez de constructo y la fiabilidad del CASO en Colombia. Participaron 5477 personas de la población general contestando el CASO y la «Escala de ansiedad social de Liebowitz-versión de autoinforme» (LSAS-SR). El análisis paralelo y el análisis factorial exploratorio del CASO arrojaron una solución de cinco factores (hablar en público/interacción con personas de autoridad; quedar en evidencia o en ridículo; expresión asertiva de molestia, desagrado o enfado; interacción con el sexo opuesto e interacción con desconocidos), que explicaban el 53.44% de la varianza. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró que el modelo de cinco factores correlacionados era el modelo con mejor ajuste. Las correlaciones entre la puntuación total del CASO y las subescalas y la puntuación total de la LSAS-SR fueron de moderadas a altas (0.53< r <0.64). La fiabilidad y la consistencia interna de la puntuación total del CASO fueron de 0.91 y 0.93, respectivamente, y para las dimensiones estuvieron entre 0.74 y 0.84. Estos resultados permiten concluir que el CASO es una medida válida y fiable para medir la ansiedad social en la población colombiana.

The Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ) is a self-report measurement tool developed for Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries. The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity and reliability of the SAQ in Colombia. A total of 5477 people from the general population answered the SAQ and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Self-Report version (LSAS-SR). The parallel and exploratory factor analysis of the SAQ yielded a five-factor solution with, speaking in public/talking with people in authority; criticism and embarrassment; assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure; interaction with the opposite sex, and interactions with strangers, explaining 53.44% of variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the five correlated factors model was the best fitted model. Correlations between the total score of the SAQ and total score of the LSAS-SR and its subscales were from moderate to high (0.53 < r< 0.64). The reliability and internal consistency for the total score and dimensions of the SAQ were 0.91 and 0.93, respectively, and for the dimensions were between 0.74 and 0.84. These results suggest that the SAQ is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the Colombian population.

The effectiveness of a group intervention program to reduce psychological problems in relatives living with patients with severe mental disorders was evaluated. Attended eight mothers and one father whose adult children were receiving treatment in a Mental Health Day Hospital. They followed the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Perceived Stress Scale, the SF-36 Health Survey, the Coping Strategies Inventory, and the Assertiveness Inventory. They attended 20 sessions of group psychological acceptance and development of skills-based treatment. Following the completion of the program, the level of depression in the parents decreased significantly, assertive conduct increased, as did the use of coping strategies aimed at the solution of problems. The relatives rated the program as useful, applied what they have learned to their daily lives, decreased the levels of psychological discomfort, and the majority applied what they have learned to what they value most. Concluding the program was successful in decreasing depression among patients' relatives and in increasing their adaptive coping skills. Nevertheless, more studies are needed in order to overcome some limitations such as the size of the cohort and the lack of a control group.

Se evaluó la eficacia de un programa de intervención grupal para la disminución de problemas psicológicos de familiares que conviven con pacientes con trastorno mental grave. Participaron ocho madres y un padre cuyos hijos recibían tratamiento en un Hospital de Día de Salud Mental. Se les aplicó el "Inventario de ansiedad de Beck", el "Inventario de depresión de Beck-II", la "Escala de estrés percibido", el "Cuestionario de salud SF-36", el "Inventario de estrategias de afrontamiento" y el "Inventario de aserción". Asistieron a 20 sesiones de tratamiento psicológico grupal, basado en la aceptación y el desarrollo de competencias. Tras la intervención, los participantes disminuyeron significativamente el nivel de depresión, aumentaron la conducta asertiva y el uso de estrategias de afrontamiento orientadas a la solución de problemas. Los familiares valoraron el programa como útil, aplicaron lo aprendido en su vida cotidiana, disminuyeron los niveles de malestar psicológico y la mayoría realizó acciones en la dirección de lo que valora en su vida. En conclusión, el programa fue eficaz para disminuir la depresión en los familiares y aumentar estrategias de afrontamiento adaptativas. No obstante, son necesarios más estudios para superar algunas limitaciones como el tamaño de la muestra y la ausencia del grupo control.