Stress Mindset Measure: A Study of Acquiescence Control and Factor Invariance Between the Regions of Brazil

Abstract

Stress mindset is defined as the belief that stress can lead to enriching or debilitating consequences in different spheres of life. The present research aimed to estimate new validity evidences based on the internal structure, using acquiescence control methods for the Stress Mindset Scale. A sample of 2,121 participants (77.7% female) responded to the Stress Mindset, Life satisfaction, Positive and Negative affects Scales. Confirmatory factor analysis with random intercept suggested adequacy of the one-dimensional structure (CFI = 0.993; TLI = 0.990; RMSEA = 0.039), and a good level of reliability ω= 0.85. The multigroup factor analysis showed invariance of the model as a function of the origin of the respondents considering the different geographic regions of the country. The results demonstrate the adequacy of the Brazilian version of the instrument and the importance of controlling acquiescence in estimating the internal structure.