Psychometric properties of the Cybergossip Questionnaire in Peruvian adolescent
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Abstract
The increasing use of social media among adolescents has fostered the emergence of behaviors such as cybergossip, highlighting the need for valid and reliable instruments to assess this phenomenon across different cultural contexts. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Cybergossip Questionnaire for Adolescents in a sample of Peruvian adolescents. A total of 1,521 students aged 11 to 19 years (M = 14, SD = 1.38) participated. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted, measurement invariance was evaluated, group comparisons by gender and age were performed, and an item response theory approach was applied using the graded response model. The results showed an adequate model fit (CFI = .965; RMSEA = .073) and satisfactory internal consistency (α = .84; ω = .84). Measurement invariance was confirmed across all levels, and the item parameters indicated precise measurement. Overall, the findings support the validity of the instrument, which is suitable for assessing cybergossip among Peruvian adolescents. In this regard, the scale enables its application in educational and research settings to assess cybergossip among adolescents.
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