Validation of SMHAT-1 in Chilean Soccer Players: Psychometric and Cultural Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/rce-fod.v21i2.177Keywords:
mental health, psychometrics, sport assessment, high performance, cultural factorsAbstract
The present study aimed to validate the first part of the Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) in a sample of elite Chilean soccer players, examining its psychometric properties and potential cultural influences on item interpretation. An instrumental longitudinal design with test–retest assessment across two competitive phases was implemented. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate factorial structure, demonstrating adequate internal consistency and temporal stability. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations with the DASS-21, revealing significant associations with measures of anxiety, depression, and stress. Factorial findings supported both unidimensional and bifactorial models after examining differential item performance. Cultural considerations emerged particularly in items related to alcohol consumption and extra-sport risk behaviors, which may reflect normative social practices within the sporting environment. Overall, findings support the SMHAT-1 as a useful psychological screening tool in Latin American elite sport contexts and highlight the necessity of culturally sensitive adaptations when applying standardized mental health assessments in athlete populations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Abdón Gallardo, Cynthia Ossa, Eliot Cárdenas, René Rubio, Gonzalo Guerra, Wilson Ferrada, Luis Maya, Valentina Molina-Fuentealba, Patricio Carvajal-Paredes
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