The Hispanic Women's Social Stressor Scale (HWSSS): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Background: The HWSSS, a 41-item valid and reliable scale, measures stress stemming from stressors Latinas often experience including acculturation and racism. Since it was specifically developed for Latinas of Mexican heritage, research to test its relevance for women from other Latino subgroups is warranted. This study examined its factor structure with a sample of Latinas from various subgroups. Results are compared to the structure found with Latinas of Mexican heritage.  They will contribute to a better understanding of the nature and sources of stress that could help explain health disparities among Latinas and how structural disadvantages are related to psychological distress and its negative health outcomes.

Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey design. Participants were 374 community dwelling Latinas of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, and Mexican heritages in Upstate New York. Bilingual, bicultural researchers administered the HWSSS in English (33.2%) and Spanish (66.8%) in community settings as part of a health study. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to explore the factor structure of the HWSSS. The final structure was determined based on the results of this study, the literature and the theory underlying the HWSSS scale. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were employed to test the measurement model using AMOS software. Internal consistencies for each factor were examined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. One-way ANOVA was used to see the difference of stress levels among subgroups in terms of heritage and birthplace.

Results:Participants had a mean age of 39, 43.4% had not completed high school, and 66.6% had an annual household income below $24,999. The original 6-factor structure found for women of Mexican heritage showed a poor fit to the data. EFA based 6-factor structure with 26 items showed a moderate fit to the data (chi-square=970.329, df=284, p=.000; IFI=.869, TLI=.837, CFI=.868, RMSEA=.080). The theory driven 6-factor, 24-item model showed a slightly better fit (chi-square=823.607, df=237, p=.000; IFI=.891, TLI=.860, CFI=.889, RMSEA=.081). All subscales of the HWSSS displayed good internal consistency (α>.75). The results of ANOVA showed the mean scores of the six factors were statistically different by birthplace. Similar patterns were found with heritage, but there were no significant differences with immigration and employment.

Implications: The 24-item reduced form of the HWSSS captured well a six-factor structure underlying the HWSSS scale. Also, it explained clearly different aspects of stress levels among the various subgroups. Future research could compare the factor structures of the HWSSS among women of various Latino subgroups with larger samples. This shorter version of the scale could help enhance culturally responsive social work practice and research with Latinas. It offers a measure that could capture more closely the different forms of stressors Latinas experience given their distinct sociocultural realities. Practitioners could use it as an assessment tool and to develop intervention strategies for effective coping to help prevent or reduce psychological distress. A greater understanding of the different stressors that may negatively affect diverse Latinas is important to more effectively address adjustments in their person-environment fit.