Factor invariance and reliability of Positive and Negative Affect Schedules (PANAS) in university students in Colombia and Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of the study is to determine the equivalence of measurement and the reliability of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in university students from Colombia and Ecuador. The design responds to a descriptive, instrumental study of factorial invariance and reliability through the PANAS. Some 445 university students participated (43.7% men and 56.3% women), with a mean average age of 20.9 years (Colombia), standard deviation 3.4; and of 20.8 years (Ecuador), standard deviation 1.95. The students were from Ibague, Colombia and Ambato, Ecuador. Regarding results, the original factorial model of PANAS is confirmed with χ2= 282.61; gl= 169; p< .05; CFI=, 963; RMSEA= .056 for the Colombia group, and χ2= 230.45; gl= 169; p< .05; CFI= .973; RMSEA= .040 for Ecuador group. Furthermore, it is invariant at the strict level by nationality ΔCFI= .004 and ΔRMSEA= .002. And it has adequate reliability, with ωAP= .87 [.84 - .90] and ωAN= .85 [.82 - .89] in the Colombia group, and ωAP= .85 [.82 - .88] and ωAN= .85 [.81 - .89] in the Ecuador group. It is concluded that PANAS is valid, invariant by nationality, and reliable for research in university students from Ecuador and Colombia.