Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and preliminary psychometric validation of the spanish version of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q)
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Abstract
Introduction: Menstrual distress can affect psychological well-being, daily functioning, and academic performance among young women. However, few psychometrically validated Spanish-language instruments are available in Latin America.Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and preliminarily evaluate evidence of validity and reliability for the Spanish version of the MEDI-Q among Paraguayan university students, considering evidence based on content, internal structure, and relationships with external variables.
Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional psychometric study was conducted with 216 female university students. Internal structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. Associations with anxiety, depression, and academic absenteeism were also analyzed.
Results: Mean age was 24 ± 6.5 years. The MEDI-Q showed high internal consistency (α = 0.901; ω = 0.90). The unidimensional model did not meet the prespecified criteria for acceptable fit: SRMR = 0.057, RMSEA = 0.088, CFI = 0.880, and TLI = 0.860. In this self-selected sample, 65.7% scored ≥20. In the adjusted multivariable model, academic absenteeism (aOR = 4.67; 95% CI: 2.23–9.77), anxiety symptoms (aOR = 5.26; 95% CI: 2.31–11.95), and depressive symptoms (aOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.54–7.90) remained associated with scores ≥20.
Conclusions: The Spanish MEDI-Q showed high internal consistency, but evidence based on internal structure remains limited. The associations were cross-sectional and imprecisely estimated and do not support causal, predictive, or diagnostic inferences.
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