Measurement invariance of the basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration scale in adolescents in Mexico and Peru

Introduction There is little psychometric evidence for the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) in the adolescent population of Latin America. The aim of this study was to analyze the internal structure and reliability of the BPNSFS and to determine its measurement invariance in adolescents in Mexico and Peru. Methods A total of 806 adolescents (46% Mexican and 54% Peruvian) between the ages of 11 and 16 participated in the study, selected through non-probability sampling. 12 structural, oblique, hierarchical, and bifactor models were evaluated, as well as measurement invariance. Results The six-factor correlated model presented the best fit indices [Mexico (CFI = .942, TLI = .933, RMSEA = .054, SRMR = .053), Peru (CFI = .942, TLI = .933, RMSEA = .065, SRMR = .05)] and adequate reliability, confirming the cross-cultural equivalence of the scale. Conclusion The results support the use of the BPNSFS as a valid and reliable instrument for assessing basic psychological needs in adolescents in these two countries, highlighting its usefulness in research on psychological well-being and in promoting youth mental health.