Psychometric properties of a short form of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-14)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exposure to minor stressors is related to a range of emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop a screening instrument for assessing adolescent stressors. METHOD: The Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-14) was tested on a sample of 561 adolescents aged between 12 and 18. We report validity evidence based on its internal structure (confirmatory factor analysis) and on relationships between ASQ-14 scores and other variables (correlational analysis), as well as an estimation of score reliability and differences by sex and stage of adolescence. RESULTS: CFA indicated a one-factor structure with a total score representing a measure of cumulative minor stressors. This structure showed an adequate fit across all age groups (early, middle, and late adolescence). Values of internal consistency (.85) and test-retest reliability (.81) were also satisfactory. Validity evidence based on relationships with other variables showed positive relations with stress manifestations, anxiety, depression, and emotional and behavioral problems, and a negative association with life satisfaction. Finally, girls scored higher than boys, and stress scores increased across stages of adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the psychometric adequacy of the ASQ-14 and its use as a time-efficient tool in educational, clinical, and research studies.