Psychometric properties of the Portuguese Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale in older adults (FSCRS-OA)
L. Lemos, D. Simões, H. Espírito-Santo, D. Andrade, D. Azedo, F. Nogueira, F. DanielIntroduction
Population ageing heightens the relevance of self-relating processes for mental health. Self-criticism is linked to anxiety/depression, whereas self-reassurance may be protective. Evidence on the measurement of these constructs in Portuguese older adults remains limited.
Objectives
To examine the psychometric properties of the Portuguese Portuguese Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale for use with older adults (FSCRS-OA), focusing on factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent evidence.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study with community-dwelling and social-care participants aged ≥65 years ( N = 211; M = 80.9, SD = 7.6). Protocols included sociodemographics, FSCRS, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, 8-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and WHOQOL-BREF. We tested latent structure and reliability and evaluated associations with anxiety, depression, quality of life and perceived health.
Results
Analyses supported a correlated two-factor representation (self-criticism; self-reassurance) with satisfactory model fit. Internal consistency estimates were acceptable for both factors. Convergent patterns were theory-consistent: higher self-criticism aligned with greater anxiety/depressive symptoms, whereas self-reassurance related to fewer depressive symptoms and better quality of life/perceived health.
Conclusions
Findings provide initial psychometric support for using the Portuguese FSCRS-OA in community-dwelling and social-care settings. Sample composition and the cross-sectional design are noted limitations. Broader and longitudinal samples are recommended to extend generalisability and temporal validity.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared