The research analyzed 297 students from public schools in Valdivia, aged 13 to 17, to determine whether this instrument adequately measures psychological inflexibility, a key factor in the development of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation problems.
Jorge Gaete, an academic from the School of Education, participated as a researcher in a study that validated the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y8)for the first time in Chile in adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. This work provides a new reliable tool for the early detection of mental health difficulties in this population.
The research, published in the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (Q1, IF 3.0), analyzed 297 students from public schools in Valdivia, aged 13 to 17, to determine whether this eight-question instrument adequately measures psychological inflexibility, a key factor in the development of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation problems during adolescence.
Among the main findings, the study proved that the AFQ-Y8 presents a clear single-factor structure, measuring a single construct of psychological inflexibility. In addition, it showed high reliability and internal consistency. Its validity was confirmed by positive associations with depressive symptoms and emotional suppression, and negative associations with mindfulness capacity. No significant relationships were observed with the cognitive reappraisal strategy. Likewise, the questionnaire functioned equally well in men and women, allowing for comparisons between sexes.
The results confirm that the AFQ-Y8 is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing psychological inflexibility in Chilean adolescents from vulnerable contexts. Its application may facilitate research, early detection, and the implementation of educational or mental health programs. Continued evaluation of its properties in more diverse populations and through longitudinal studies is recommended to understand its behavior over time.