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Validity Evidence for the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) in Spanish Population
J M S Marqueses1,2, Rocío Fausor1, Ana Sanz-García1
1Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain), Centro Universitario Cardenal Cisneros (Spain).
Psicothema
|January 16, 2024
Summary
The Spanish Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) reliably measures self-focused attention in adults. While valid, its subscales offer limited additional insight beyond the total score for emotional disorder research.
Area of Science:
- Psychological assessment
- Clinical psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Self-absorption, or dysfunctional self-focused attention, is a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for emotional disorders.
- The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) and the utility of its subscales remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the internal structure of the Spanish version of the SAS.
- To investigate the relationship between SAS scores and other psychological variables.
- To determine the added value of the SAS subscales.
Main Methods:
- A bifactor model was used to analyze the factor structure of the SAS.
- Internal consistency was assessed using reliability coefficients (alphas/omegas).
- Correlations were calculated between SAS scores and measures of depression and post-traumatic stress in a sample of 519 Spanish adults.
Main Results:
- The SAS demonstrated a robust bifactor structure with a general self-absorption factor and specific private and public self-absorption factors.
- The scale and its subscales showed good to excellent reliability (alphas/omegas = .70–.88).
- SAS scores significantly correlated with depression and post-traumatic stress (r = .34–.46).
Conclusions:
- The Spanish SAS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring dysfunctional self-focused attention in adults.
- The Private and Public Self-absorption subscales provide limited additional information compared to the total SAS score.
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