Introduction

: This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale (ASA scale) in adolescents.

Materials and methods

: A questionnaire was created with 24 items of the ASA scale together with items that explored the sociodemographic variables as well as health-related behaviors and conditions. The questionnaire was given to 541 Mexican adolescents. Different analysis techniques were performed, including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), determination of internal consistency (coefficients a and W), and other variables relationship based on group comparisons. The performance of the different factorial structures of the ASA scale was analyzed.

Results

: We obtained two proposals based on the ASA Scale that can be used in adolescents; one was based on a one-dimensional model (20 items) and the other was based on a three-factor model (14 items). These proposals performed well in the CFA as well as in internal consistency analysis techniques. Furthermore, these proposals presented validity evidence based on the relationship with health-related behaviors and conditions.

Conclusion

: We provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the two reduced versions of the ASA scale that supports its use in adolescents.

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