Brief version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-ESF) in the Chilean population: Psychometric properties and invariance by sex and clinical vs. non-clinical sample
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-50652025000100219Keywords:
Emotion regulation, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-E), brief version, metric invariance, mental healthAbstract
Emotional regulation is essential for socio-emotional functioning, and its deficits have been associated with various mental health problems. In Chile, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-E) has been validated, but a shorter version is needed for more efficient assessments. This study aimed to propose and analyze the psychometric properties of the brief version (DERS-E15) in a Chilean sample. Two independent adult samples (18-80 years old) were used, consisting of 1,233 and 1,549 participants, respectively, and an instrumental and psychometric design was employed. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to select the best items, reducing the scale from 25 to 15 items, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis to validate its structure. Metric invariance was evaluated by assigned sex at birth and between clinical and non-clinical samples. Additionally, internal consistency, inter-subscale correlations, and construct validity were examined through associations with mental health and attachment measures. The DERS-E15 demonstrated a factor structure consistent with the original version and good data fit. It was invariant across sexes and between clinical and non-clinical samples. All subscales showed adequate internal consistency and high correlations with corresponding dimensions of the extended version. Difficulties in emotional regulation were associated with greater depressive symptoms and higher attachment insecurity. In conclusion, the DERS-E15 is an efficient tool that preserves the properties of the extended version, proving useful for both clinical practice and research.
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