Chilean validation of the frustration discomfort scale: relation between intolerance to frustration and discomfort and emotional intelligence

Abstract

Background: The Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) is a self-report instrument that was developed as a multidimensional measure of intolerance to frustration: discomfort intolerance, entitlement, emotional intolerance, and achievement. This study aimed to validate a Chilean version of this scale. Method: The sample comprised 1,187 Chilean respondents (693 women and 494 men) between 18 and 96 years of age (M = 40.05, SD = 19.80). A reverse translation and a multi-sample confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. Afterwards, the relation with other instruments (self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and flourishing) was studied, and the validity and reliability of the scale for each dimension were assessed. Results: Relations between FDS and self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and flourishing were found significant. Results showed that the Chilean version had adequate internal consistency (α = .92; ω = .92). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that a four-factor structure obtained adequate goodness of fit indexes with acceptable (χ2 = 960.68; CFI = .94; TLI = .94; RMSEA = .05; SRMSR = .04) and significant factor loadings (greater than .38, p < .001). This factorial solution was invariant across genders. Conclusion: The Chilean FDS validation presents adequate psychometric properties and could be used as an instrument to measure frustration intolerance.