Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth

Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, are a risk factor for mental health and poor socio-emotional development in adulthood. Assessing these experiences in specific populations allows for the identification of patterns and the implementation of preventive interventions. Objective: To evaluat...

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Main Authors: Andrés Ramírez, Luis Burgos-Benavides, Jessica Vanessa Quito-Calle, Hugo Sinchi-Sinchi, Javier Herrero Díez, Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/4/63
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author Andrés Ramírez
Luis Burgos-Benavides
Jessica Vanessa Quito-Calle
Hugo Sinchi-Sinchi
Javier Herrero Díez
Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz
author_facet Andrés Ramírez
Luis Burgos-Benavides
Jessica Vanessa Quito-Calle
Hugo Sinchi-Sinchi
Javier Herrero Díez
Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz
author_sort Andrés Ramírez
collection DOAJ
description Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, are a risk factor for mental health and poor socio-emotional development in adulthood. Assessing these experiences in specific populations allows for the identification of patterns and the implementation of preventive interventions. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the abbreviated version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Form (ACE-ASF) in Ecuadorian youth, aiming to ensure the validity, reliability, and consistency of the instrument in accurately measuring abuse dimensions in this Ecuadorian population. Methodology: An instrumental study was conducted on the psychometric properties of the eight-item ACE-ASF, applying it to a sample of 840 university students (52.1% females and 47.9% males). The evaluation focused on analyzing the factorial structure and internal consistency of the instrument in this sample. Results: The two-factor model showed a satisfactory fit across all levels of invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and strict), with acceptable fit indices (CFI, TLI, GFI, RMSEA, and SRMR). The internal consistency was adequate, as assessed using the McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed using the AVE and HTMT indices, ensuring proper differentiation between the dimensions assessed. Conclusion: The ACE-ASF proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing abuse experiences in Ecuadorian youth. Its two-factor structure reflects distinct yet related dimensions, providing a useful tool for identifying adverse childhood experiences in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-fb8636a4d3c243b18c3d6cb7098184cd2025-08-20T03:13:54ZengMDPI AGEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education2174-81442254-96252025-04-011546310.3390/ejihpe15040063Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian YouthAndrés Ramírez0Luis Burgos-Benavides1Jessica Vanessa Quito-Calle2Hugo Sinchi-Sinchi3Javier Herrero Díez4Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz5Department of Clinical Psychology, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Cuenca 010107, EcuadorDepartment of Psychology, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Cuenca 010107, EcuadorDepartment of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Esmeraldas 080101, EcuadorDepartment of Psychology, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainDepartment of Psychology, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainAdverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, are a risk factor for mental health and poor socio-emotional development in adulthood. Assessing these experiences in specific populations allows for the identification of patterns and the implementation of preventive interventions. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the abbreviated version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Form (ACE-ASF) in Ecuadorian youth, aiming to ensure the validity, reliability, and consistency of the instrument in accurately measuring abuse dimensions in this Ecuadorian population. Methodology: An instrumental study was conducted on the psychometric properties of the eight-item ACE-ASF, applying it to a sample of 840 university students (52.1% females and 47.9% males). The evaluation focused on analyzing the factorial structure and internal consistency of the instrument in this sample. Results: The two-factor model showed a satisfactory fit across all levels of invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and strict), with acceptable fit indices (CFI, TLI, GFI, RMSEA, and SRMR). The internal consistency was adequate, as assessed using the McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed using the AVE and HTMT indices, ensuring proper differentiation between the dimensions assessed. Conclusion: The ACE-ASF proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing abuse experiences in Ecuadorian youth. Its two-factor structure reflects distinct yet related dimensions, providing a useful tool for identifying adverse childhood experiences in this population.https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/4/63psychometricschild physical abusechild sexual abusevalidation
spellingShingle Andrés Ramírez
Luis Burgos-Benavides
Jessica Vanessa Quito-Calle
Hugo Sinchi-Sinchi
Javier Herrero Díez
Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Díaz
Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
psychometrics
child physical abuse
child sexual abuse
validation
title Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth
title_full Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth
title_fullStr Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth
title_full_unstemmed Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth
title_short Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) for Ecuadorian Youth
title_sort psychometric properties of the adverse childhood experiences abuse short form ace asf for ecuadorian youth
topic psychometrics
child physical abuse
child sexual abuse
validation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/4/63
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