* Autor a quien debe ser dirigida la correspondencia.Recibido May. 16, 2016; Aceptado Jul. 20, 2016; Versión final Sep. 14, 2016, Publicado Feb. 2017 Resumen El presente estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Ansiedad ante el Envejecimiento en hombres y mujeres universitarios. La muestra total fue de 1703 participantes; 878 mujeres y 825 hombres, con una edad media de 20.5 años y 20.9 años, respectivamente. Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios mostraron que una estructura tetrafactorial (miedo a las personas mayores, apariencia física, miedo a las pérdidas, y preocupaciones psicológicas) es viable y adecuada para ambas poblaciones (mujeres y hombres) de acuerdo a los requisitos psicométricos establecidos cuando los informantes son los propios alumnos. Además, la estructura factorial, las cargas factoriales y los interceptos se consideran invariantes en las dos poblaciones. Sin embargo, existen diferencias entre las poblaciones para las medias de los factores miedo a las personas mayores y miedo a las pérdidas. Palabras clave: ansiedad; estructura factorial; invarianza de medida; análisis factorial confirmatorio multimuestra Factorial Invariance of the Anxiety Aging Scale of Lasher and Faulkender of University Students, Men and Women AbstractThe present study analyses the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Aging Scale in men and women university students. The overall sample consisted of 1703 participants: 878 women and 825 men, with a mean age of 20.5 years old and 20.9 years old, respectively. Psychometric analysis showed that a tetrafactorial structure (fear of old people, physical appearance, fear of losses, and psychological concerns) is feasible and adequate for both populations (women and men) according to the established psychometric requirements when the informers are the students themselves. In addition, factor structure, factor loadings and intercepts of the instrument could be considered invariant across groups. However, there are differences between groups for the means of the factors fear of old people and fear of losses.

No abstract

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread or restlessness and can develop into a weight-related disorder. The objective was to analyze the psychometric properties of the trait anxiety subscale of the Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale (PASTAS), as well as the invariance in Mexican preadolescents. The sample consisted of 604 participants, 285 female and 319 male, whose ages ranged between 11 and 12 years (M = 11.37; SD = 0.48). The questionnaire’s factor structure was analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses. The analyses show the viability and adequacy of a two-factor structure (weight and non-weight factors) both for the total sample and for the populations of male and female. The two-factor structure showed adequate reliability and validity fit indicators. The factor structure, the factor loadings and intercepts are considered invariant according to the variable sex; however, differences between female and male participants were found for levels of anxiety caused by physical appearance. In conclusion, the PASTAS can be considered a convenient instrument to assess the variables related to anxiety generated by one’s physical appearance, as well as allowing more participants to be quickly assessed.

No abstract

Anxiety about aging is an important mediating factor in attitudes and behavior toward elderly individuals as well as a mediating factor in the adjustment to one’s own aging processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the factor structure, internal consistency and factorial invariance by sex of the Lasher and Faulkender Anxiety about Aging Scale. The sample consisted of 601 Mexican older adults, 394 women and 207 men, with a mean age of 70.69 ± 8.10 years. The factor structure of the questionnaire was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. Analyses show that a four-factor structure is feasible and adequate. The four-factor structure (fear of the elderly, psychological concerns, physical appearance and fear of loss), according to statistical and substantive criteria, showed adequate reliability and validity indicators. However, the obtained model does not fully coincide with that proposed by the questionnaire authors, although it continues to support the multi-factor component of anxiety about aging. On the other hand, the factor structure, the factor loadings and the intercepts are considered invariant in the two populations (men and women); however, there are differences between populations on the means of the physical appearance and fear of loss factors.