AI Insight
This study validated Spanish versions of two psychological assessment tools, the AAQ-III and PsyFlex, which measure psychological flexibility and inflexibility in the context of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Using network psychometric analysis on 785 Colombian participants, researchers found both instruments demonstrated unidimensional structures with high stability and successfully distinguished psychological flexibility from emotional distress and neuroticism. The findings address previous concerns about measurement validity in this field by showing these tools measure distinct psychological constructs rather than simply reflecting general distress.
Why it matters
These validated instruments provide clinicians and researchers with improved tools for assessing psychological flexibility, a key therapeutic target in ACT interventions. Better measurement tools can enhance treatment planning and evaluation of therapeutic outcomes in Spanish-speaking populations.
Understand the Science
by Francisco J. Ruiz, Douglas M. Bastidas-Suárez, Camilo A. Vargas
Psychological flexibility and inflexibility are core processes in the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model and are consistently associated with well-being and emotional distress. However, the validity of widely used measures, particularly the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – II (AAQ-II), has been questioned due to potential overlap with indicators of distress and neuroticism. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – III (AAQ-III) and the PsyFlex in a general population sample from Colombia (N = 785) using network psychometrics. We estimated the dimensionality of each scale via Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) and evaluated replicability via bootstrap EGA (bootEGA). Discriminant validity was examined using a joint EGA that included the AAQ-III, PsyFlex, and measures of emotional distress (DASS-21) and neuroticism (BFI-2-Neuroticism). Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory – Short Form. EGA identified unidimensional structures for both instruments, and bootEGA confirmed perfect structural consistency and item stability. The joint EGA yielded five distinct communities, with the AAQ-III and PsyFlex forming separate communities from emotional symptoms and neuroticism, providing structural evidence consistent with the discriminant validity of both measures. Both instruments showed the expected patterns of correlations with flexibility and inflexibility processes. These findings provide initial validation evidence that the Spanish versions of the AAQ-III and PsyFlex are psychometrically sound measures of psychological inflexibility and flexibility.
Source: A network psychometric evaluation of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – III and PsyFlex