Psychometric properties of the Valencia Scale of Attitudes and Beliefs Towards Hypnosis (client version) (VSABTH-C) online version

Abstract

The psychometric properties of the VSABTH-C have been previously analyzed in different studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has ever tested the psychometric properties of the online version of VSABTH-C, considering the advantages that such administration represents: possibility of reaching a greater number of participants, speed of application and correction, and instantaneous feedback. In addition, previous studies have not conducted gender or time invariance. Thus, it is important to analyze the psychometric properties of this version, to confirm whether the model is optimal and can be used in other studies, and to confirm whether questionnaire provides unbiased scores to carry out comparisons across gender/time. The present study aim to analyze the psychometric properties of VSABTH-C, applied for the first time in its online version. Invariance analysis between gender/time was also analyzed in a total of 705 participants. Results from confirmatory factor analysis considering previous literature (eight factors 37 items) did not fit the data. An alternative model, removing six-items from the original model, was proposed. The re-specified model (eight factors 31 items) fit the data in all samples under analysis and revealed an adequate psychometric properties and shown invariance criteria between gender and time.