Validation of the Individuation Test for Emerging Adults-Short (ITEA-S) in Spanish and Portuguese Emerging Adults

Abstract

We evaluated the factorial validity and reliability of the Individuation Test for Emerging Adults–Short (ITEA–S) among Spanish ( n = 373) and Portuguese ( n = 351) emerging adults. Results of confirmatory factor analyses supported the original five-factor structure (Support Seeking, Connectedness, Intrusiveness, Self-Reliance, and Fear of Disappointing the Parent) for both the mother and father forms. The internal consistency of the scale scores was satisfactory. Associations with the Brief Measure of Separation-Individuation and Satisfaction with Life Scale provided evidence of satisfactory concurrent validity. Multi-group analyses indicated partial metric and scalar invariance for the mother form, enabling cross-country mean comparisons. Overall, the findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the ITEA–S for assessing individuation in emerging adults and its use in research among Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking populations.