https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2022.10375

Validity and reliability of a social skills scale among Chilean health sciences students: A cross-sectional study

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2022)
Submitted: 21 January 2022
Accepted: 8 February 2022
Published: 14 March 2022
Validity, reliability, social skills, university students, health
Abstract Views: 992
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Authors

Emilio Rodriguez Macayo
Carrera de Educación Diferencial. Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile.
Ruben Vidal-Espinoza
Universidad Católica Silva Henriquez, Santiago, Chile.
Rossana Gomez-Campos
Departamento de Diversidad e Inclusividad Educativa, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.
Cynthia Lee Andruske
Centro de Investigación CINEMAROS SAC, Arequipa, Peru.
Marco Cossio-Bolaños
mcossio1972@hotmail.com
Departamento de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.

Currently, there is a growing need to assess social skills in young university students since the use and application of these scales can provide benefits in different situations, such as work, education, clinical and psychological. The objective of the study was to verify the validity and reliability of a social skills scale (SS) for students from three professional health sciences programs in Chile. This information will provide understanding and development of SS among health care team members and between them and patients. A cross-sectional study was designed with 185 Chilean university students (141 males and 44 females). Students were recruited voluntarily from a private university in Chile. Ages ranged from 18 to 30 years old. Goldstein’s SS scale (consisting of six dimensions with a total of 50 questions) was used. It was administered virtually. Validity was verified by means of confirmatory factor analysis and reliability through internal consistency. The factor structure of the model confirmed the 50 questions and six dimensions of the scale. In general, the model reflected satisfactory values. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin’s (KMO) test for the adequacy (suitability) of the sample was 0.834, chi squared X2= 4344.8 (gl= 1425, p< 0.000). The comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.45, goodness of fit index (GFI) was 0.56, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.091, and the % of variance 54%. The communalities reflected values from 0.31 to 0.76. In addition, Cronbach’s Alpha values varied from 0.72 to 0.75. In its totality, the scale demonstrated a reliability of 0.75. The SS scale is valid and reliable. It can be used with students from nursing, kinesiology, and speech therapy programs. The results suggest the use and application of the scale with professionals working in higher education.

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How to Cite

Rodriguez Macayo, E., Vidal-Espinoza, R., Gomez-Campos, R., Andruske, C. L., & Cossio-Bolaños, M. (2022). Validity and reliability of a social skills scale among Chilean health sciences students: A cross-sectional study. European Journal of Translational Myology, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2022.10375

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