Examination of the latent structure of the Ruminative Thoughts Style Questionnaire across countries, gender, and over time

Abstract

The present work aimed to extend the evidence of the structure validity of the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire (RTSQ) 15-item version testing: (1) the structure of two competing models (i.e., four-factor correlated model vs a second-order factor model); (2) the measurement invariance of the final model across four countries (U.S., Spain, Argentina, and the Netherlands) and gender groups (male and female); and (3) the invariance across three assessment waves in a subsample of Spanish youths. Participants were college students (mean age = 20.87, SD = 4.47) from the U.S. (n = 1875; 67.1% of females), Spain (T1, n = 732, 63.9% females; T2, n = 370, 71.6% females: T3, n = 307, 60.6% females), Argentina (n = 368, 65.6% females) and the Netherlands (n = 295, 74.8% females). Confirmatory Factor Analyses supported both correlated factors and second-order factor structure in the whole sample. Due to similar fit indices being observed for both models, and considering the theoretical and practical advantages, we kept the second-order model to examine its invariance across groups and time. Measurement invariance analyses showed that the second-order model was invariant across countries, gender, and over time. Comparisons of the total mean score and the subfacet mean scores (i.e., Repetitive Thoughts, Counterfactual Thoughts, Problem-focused Thoughts, and Anticipatory Thoughts) reveled only small differences across country and gender groups. The present work extends the structural validity evidence of the RTSQ, and provides the first evidence concerning its longitudinal stability across time.

Neuroticism, rumination, depression and suicidal ideation: A moderated serial mediation model across four countries

“…Rumination was assessed using the 15-item version of the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire (RTSQ; Tanner et al, 2013 ; Spanish version, Bravo et al, 2018a ), in which participants respond to what extent the items described them on the basis of a 7-point scale (1, Not at all; 7, Very Well ). The RTSQ has shown evidence of reliability and validity among undergraduate students and over time, both in English and Spanish speakers ( Bravo et al, 2018a ; Vidal-Arenas et al, 2022 ).…”

Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the DSM-5 Anxiety and Depression Severity Measures

“…Open Data: We confirm that there is sufficient information for independent research to reproduce all of the reported results (Vidal-Arenas et al, 2023). The information needed to reproduce all of the reported results are openly accessible at https://osf.io/jz4ge/?view_only=ea57ac ad6e6a4a6e86fa5a57caf493c9 Open Materials: We confirm that there is sufficient information for independent research to reproduce all of the reported methodology (Vidal-Arenas et al, 2023). Preregistration of Studies and Analysis Plans: This study was not preregistered.…”