This research was done to find if using maximum likelihood could reduce the Interactive Optimism Scale-Garcia to a new valid and reliable shorter version. There were 502 adults: 263 women and 239 men ( Mage = 34.67, SD = 12.27). It was used in confirmatory factor analysis. A four-item scale is obtained, having excellent goodness of fit: [χ2/ df = .609, GFI (Jöreskog and Sörbom’s Goodness-of-Fit Index) = .999, NFI (Normed Fit Index) = .999, CFI (Bentler’s Comparative Fit Index) = 1.000, RMSEA (Steiger–Lind root mean square error of approximation) = .000 (90% CI = .0001, .077); SRMR (standardized root mean square residual) = .007], as well as factorial invariance across sexes; the scale has good internal consistency (ω = .869, α = .858, ordinal α = .906). Brief Interactive Optimism Scale-G correlates significantly with self-esteem ( r = .779, p < . 01, 95% CI [.816, .736]), depression ( r = −.810, p < .01, 95% CI [.843, .772]), and psychopathy ( r = −.670, p < . 01, 95% CI [.723, .611]). In conclusion, Brief Interactive Optimism Scale-G is a good option for measuring optimism in Mexicans.

The Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) aims to measure affect with high transcultural validity. The bifactor model is the best theoretical option to represent affective balance, although it is not typically used in validation studies. The objectives of this research were to test a bifactor model vis-à-vis the traditional model composed of two correlated factors, to prove its invariance across sexes, and to provide evidence of concurrent validity. A nonprobability sample composed of 600 Mexican students of psychology and medicine was recruit. One-group and multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were carried out. The SPANE and the scales selected to assess depression, perceived stress, and satisfaction with life were applied. The bifactor model showed better goodness-of-fit indices than the two correlated factors model: Δχ2(11) = 121.436, p <  .  001, Δχ2/Δ df =  11.04 > 5, Δ GFI =  .034, Δ NFI =  .025, Δ NNFI =  .022, and Δ CFI =  .023 >.01. The internal consistency for the general factor as well as for the factor of positive affect was excellent, whereas it was good for the factor of negative affect. The measurement model was valid across sexes. The general factor of affective balance had a very high correlation with depression, high with perceived stress, and medium with satisfaction with life. It is concluded that SPANE is reliable and shows evidence of validity among Mexican student of psychology and medicine, and the bifactor model is adequate to represent affective balance.

Introduction. There is controversy regarding the structure of subjective well-being (SWB) and the possibility of calculating a SWB total score. Objective. To test and compare five models proposed for the description of SWB. Method. The study was implemented with a cross-sectional, ex-post-facto design using an incidental sampling method. The Positive and Negative Experience Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were applied to a sample composed of 600 students of health sciences from two universities of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Data were analyzed through a structural equation modeling, using Maximum Likelihood and Corrected-Bias Percentile methods. Results. The bifactor model comprising three specific factors, vis-à-vis the model composed of three correlated factors, had the best data fit (Δχ2/Δdf = 8.166 > 5, ΔNFI = .018, ΔNNFI = .015, and ΔCFI = .016 > .01), and all its fit indices were close; however, the specific factor related to positive affect had a poor contribution. Nevertheless, the model composed of three correlated factors had the greatest parsimony (PR = .853, PNFI = .804, PNNFI = .813, PCFI = .819, and PGFI = .706) and its three factors showed convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability. Discussion and conclusion. The two models with the best properties justify the use of a composite score of SWB based on the scores of positive affect, negative affect, and satisfaction with life, as well as scores for these three specific domains of content. From a psychometric perspective, the model composed of three correlated factors yielded the best result.

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El propósito de este estudio fue calcular tanto la validez de constructo como la validez convergente de la escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWL), de Diener, Emmons, Larsen y Griffin (1985), en 428 estudiantes de bachillerato. Se usaron análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio. Diener et al. (1985) diseñan una escala que estandariza la medida de la satisfacción con la vida, de manera válida y confiable. Se encuentra que las ?´s de los ítems tienen un recorrido desde .58 hasta .88. El coeficiente de consistencia interna alfa de Cronbach es de .85, con un intervalo de confianza del 95% (de .826 a .871). El coeficiente de correlación de Pearson entre la SWLS y la escala de Calidad de Vida es de r= .395; p< .01; IC95%: .293, .486. Hay coincidencia entre los hallazgos arrojados por ambos tipos de análisis factorial. El modelo de medición se corresponde con el creado por Diener et al. (1985): los cinco ítems muestran validez y confiabilidad, al igual que lo reportado por otros estudios en diferentes contextos culturales.