Adaptación argentina de la Escala de Foco Temporal: Evidencias de validez de constructo, confiabilidad y validez externa

Abstract

El foco temporal es la atención que las personas dedican a pensar en el pasado, presente y futuro. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la Escala de Foco Temporal y analizar sus propiedades psicométricas en Argentina. Se realizaron dos estudios. En el primero (n = 190) se puso a prueba la estructura factorial, consistencia interna y confiabilidad. Para evaluar la validez convergente y discriminante se utilizaron la escala de perspectiva temporal de Zimbardo, la de autocontrol y la de malestar psicológico. En el segundo estudio (n = 660) se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Entre los principales resultados, en el estudio 1, el análisis paralelo sugirió la estructura de tres factores. La confiabilidad se probó utilizando los coeficientes omega de McDonald y alfa de Cronbach (valores de .81 a .89). En el estudio 2, se confirmó la estructura de tres factores, aunque hubo problemas con el ítem 10. Después de eliminar el ítem 10, el modelo con once ítems mostró un ajuste adecuado (χ2(42) = 184.85, CFI = .95, GFI = .95, TLI = .93, RMSEA = .07). Los coeficientes de consistencia interna fueron superiores a 0.76. En conclusión, este estudio proporciona una adaptación argentina confiable de la Escala de Foco Temporal.

Temporal focus is the attention individuals devote to thinking about the past, present, and future. The goal of this study was to validate the Temporal Focus Scale for Argentina and analyze its psychometric properties. Two studies were carried out. Firstly, the factor structure, internal consistency, reliability, and external validity were tested (n=190). To assess external validity, the ZTPI, the self-control scale and the psychological distress scale K-10 were used. Among the main results, the parallel analysis suggested the structure of three factors that explained 72% of the total variance (KMO=.80; χ 2 (66)=1261.7; p<.001) and the semi-confirmatory factor analysis yielded measures proper setting (CFI=.97, RMSEA=.05). Reliability was tested using McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha coefficients (values from .81 to .89). The correlations showed that past focus is related to ZTPI negative past and K-10 (r=.58 and .46; p<.01); present focus with ZTPI fatalistic present, K-10 and self-control (r =-. 20, -.23 and .22; p<.01); and future focus with K-10 and ZTPI future (r = .21 and .22; p<.01). In the second study (n=660) a confirmatory factor analysis was performed with the three-factor structure, although there were problems with item 10. After removing item 10, the model with eleven items showed an acceptable fit (χ2 /gl =4.27, CFI=.95, GFI=.95, NNFI=.94, RMSEA=.07). The internal consistency coefficients were higher than 0.76. In conclusion, this study provides an acceptable Argentinian version of the Temporal Focus Scale.