Psychometric properties of the child and adolescent perfectionism scale in ecuadorian adolescents

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to validate the Spanish version of the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS) in Ecuadorian adolescent population. Methods: The study involved 1,562 students aged 12 to 18 (Mage = 14.83, SD = 1.86) from Quito (Ecuador). Data analysis included Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with Satorra-Bentler scaled χ², Cronbach's alpha coefficients, Pearson's correlations, and Multigroup CFA to test factorial invariance across sex and age (configural, measurement and structural). Latent means differences were also examined across sex and age groups. Results: Results confirmed the structure of Spanish version of the CAPS with 13 items divided into three factors, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP), Self-Oriented Perfectionism-Critical (SOP-C) and Self-Oriented-Striving (SOP-S). Additionally, this model remained invariant across sex and age. Significant and positive correlations were obtained between SPP, SOP-C and the three measures of psychological distress (Anxiety, Depression and Stress), whereas SOP-S showed a more adaptive pattern of association. Acceptable reliability values were obtained and latent mean differences across sex and age groups were mainly observed in the SOP-S factor. Concretely, males reported significantly higher latent mean scores than females in SOP-S as well as students aged from 14 to 18 years old in comparison with their younger peers (12- and 13-year olds). Conclusions: The Spanish version of the CAPS has satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability remaining invariant across sex and age in Ecuadorian adolescents.