Psychometric properties of the 16-item Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS-16) in Ecuadorian teenagers

Emotional regulation difficulties correspond to an important attribute in the mental health adolescents. However, the availability of validated measurement tools makes it difficult to monitor this phenomenon. This study aims to validate a hierarchical factor model of the 16-item Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS-16), the measurement invariance by sex and reliability in a sample of Ecuadorian adolescents. A descriptive and instrumental design was employed to assess the DERS-16 in a cross-sectional sample of 904 adolescents (53.5% female, 46.5% male) aged between 15 and 18 years (M = 16.6 years; SD = 1.15) from nine cities. The findings provide evidence supporting the factorial validity of DERS-16, using a hierarchical adjustment model that comprises five first-order factors and a general second-order factor. The model was found to be invariant across sex, with statistically significant differences in latent means (p < .05), indicating that females experience more difficulties in emotional regulation (DER) than males. Furthermore, the DERS-16 demonstrated high internal consistency overall. In conclusion, these results suggest that the DERS-16 is a valid tool for assessing emotional regulation difficulties in adolescents from Ecuador. Which implies a relevant contribution to the psychometric study of this measure in Ecuador and Latin America.