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Published on: March 17, 2019
Development and psychometric properties of a self-medication behavior inventory
Julio C Penagos-Corzo1, Melissa J Ortiz-Barrero2, Reneé Hernández-Ramírez1
1Department of Psychology, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, Mexico.
The Self-Medication Behavior Inventory (SMBI-9) is a reliable tool for understanding psychosocial factors in self-medication. Its validated factors, like social influence and attitudes, vary by demographics, informing targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Self-medication is a widespread practice with considerable health consequences.
- Identifying the psychosocial drivers of self-medication is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Self-Medication Behavior Inventory (SMBI-9).
- To assess the reliability and validity of the SMBI-9 in a binational context.
Main Methods:
- A binational study involving 779 participants from Colombia and Mexico.
- Concurrent validity was assessed using correlations with existing inventories.
- Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the proposed four-factor structure of the SMBI-9.
Main Results:
- The SMBI-9 exhibited excellent model fit (CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.991) and demonstrated cross-cultural invariance.
- The four factors—Social Influence, Attitude toward Medicine, Avoidance, and Prevention—showed significant variations based on medical knowledge, education, insurance status, and gender.
- These findings underscore the impact of social and individual beliefs on self-medication behaviors.
Conclusions:
- The SMBI-9 is a robust instrument for measuring the complex nature of self-medication behaviors.
- Results emphasize the significant role of social norms and personal attitudes, indicating the need for tailored behavioral interventions.
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