Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Higher Education Stress Inventory (HESI-Br)
João Pedro Gonçalves Pacheco, Mauricio Scopel Hoffmann, Luiza Elizabete Braun, Isabella Poletto Medeiros, Damaris Casarotto, Simone Hauck, Fabio Porru, Michael Herlo, Vitor Crestani Calegaro
Abstract
Objective
There are no validated instruments to measure education-related stress in Brazilian university students. Thus, we aimed to translate and test internal reliability, convergent/discriminant validity, and measurement equivalence of the Higher Education Stress Inventory (HESI).
Methods
The translation protocol was carried out by two independent translators. The instrument was culturally adapted after a pilot version that was administered to 36 university students. The final version (HESI-Br) was administered to 1021 university students (Mean age = 28.3, SD = 9.6, 76.7% female) via an online questionnaire that extended from September 1 to October 15, 2020. Factor structure was estimated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in the first half of the data set. We tested the best EFA-derived model with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in the second half. Convergent/discriminant validity was tested using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Sex, age groups, period of study, family income and area of study were used to test measurement equivalence.
Results
EFA suggested five factors: career dissatisfaction; faculty shortcomings; high workload; financial concerns; and toxic learning environment. CFA supported the 5-factor model (15 items), but not a higher order factor, suggesting multidimensionality. All 5 factors presented acceptable internal reliabilities, with Cronbach’s α ≥.72 and McDonald’s ω ≥.64. CFA models indicate that HESI-Br and DASS-21 assess different but correlated underlying latent constructs, supporting discriminant validity. Equivalence was ascertained for all tested groups.
Conclusions
The 15-item HESI-Br is a reliable and invariant multidimensional instrument for assessing relevant stressors among university students in Brazil.
Keywords
Submitted date:
12/06/2021
Accepted date:
04/21/2022