Factorial Composition of the Self-efficacy Problem Solving and Communication Scale in Mexican University Students

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate whether the psychometric results proposed by [1] for the Self-efficacy Problem Solving and Communication Scale replicate. The total sample was of 2059 subjects; 891 women and 1168 men, students of the degrees offered at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, with an mean age of 18.21 years (SD = 0.74). The factorial structure of the questionnaire was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis shows that a two-factor structure is feasible and appropriate. The two-factor structure (problem solving and scientific communication), based on statistical and substantive criteria, has shown adequate fit indicators of reliability and validity. Furthermore, the results of the factor analysis conducted with subsamples, indicate the existence of strong evidence of the stability of the factor structure. Future research should replicate these findings in larger samples.