Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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. The sample comprised 1187 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. 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. The Chilean FDS validation presents adequate psychometric properties and could be used as an instrument to measure frustration intolerance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Adroom, M., Gorgij, H. C., Okati, M., Mohana, S., & Sharafi, Z. (2016). Study the relationship between frustration tolerance and tendency to drug abuse among Students from Payame Noor University, Zahedan branch. The Social Sciences, 11(14), 3627–3630.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amsel, A. (1958). The role of frustrative nonreward in noncontinuous reward situation. Psychological Bulletin, 55, 102–119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Amsel, A. (1992). Frustration theory: An analysis of dispositional learning and memory. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.

  • Ariely, G., & Davidov, E. (2012). Assessment of measurement equivalence with cross-national and longitudinal surveys in political science. European Political Science, 11(3), 363–377. https://doi.org/10.1057/eps.2011.11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartram, D., & Muniz, J. (2016). ITC Guidelines. In ITC Guidelines for Translating and Adapting Tests (Second Edition)., 61, 29–45. https://doi.org/10.1027/1901-2276.61.2.29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamayou, J. L., Tsenova, V., Gonthier, C., Blatier, C., & Yahyaoui, A. (2016). Validation française de l’échelle de frustration et d’inconfort (Frustration Discomfort Scale). Encephale, 42(4), 325–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.encep.2015.08.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Beyers, W., Boone, L., Deci, E., Van der Kaap-Deeder, J., Duriez, B., Lens, W., Matos, L., Mouratidis, A., Ryan, R., Sheldon, K., Stijn Van Petegem, B., & Verstuyf, J. (2015). Basic psychological need satisfaction, need frustration, and need strength across four cultures. Motivation and Emotion, 39, 216–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 14(3), 464–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705510701301834.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordeiro, P., Paixão, P., Lens, W., Lacante, M., & Luyckx, K. (2016). The Portuguese validation of the basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration scale: Concurrent and longitudinal relations to well-being and ill-being. Psychologica Belgica, 56(3), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb.252.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, A., Tran, Y., Hermens, G., Williams, L. M., Kemp, A., Morris, C., & Gordon, E. (2009). Psychological and neural correlates of emotional intelligence in a large sample of adult males and females. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(2), 111–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.09.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuenya, L., Fosacheca, S., & Mustaca, A. E. (2013). Diferencias individuales en las respuestas de frustración. Revista Argentina de Ciencias Del Comportamiento, 5(3), 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Valle, M., Matos, L., Díaz, A., Pérez, M. V., & Vergara, J. (2018). Psychometric properties of the psychological needs satisfaction frustration scale (BPNSFS) in Chilean University students. Propósitos y Representaciones, 6(1), 301–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demaria, T. P., Kassinove, H., & Dill, C. A. (1989). Psychometric properties of the survey of personal beliefs: A rational-emotive measure of irrational thinking. Journal of Personality Assessment, 53(2), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5302_10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Biswas-diener, R., Tov, W., Kim-prieto, C., Choi, D., & Oishi, S. (2009). Assessing Well-Being. Social Indicators Research, 39, 247–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2354-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiGiuseppe, R., Leaf, R., Exner, T., & Robin, M. V. (1988, September). The development of a measure of rational/irrational thinking. Paper presented at the World Congress of Behavior Therapy, Edinburgh, Scotland.

  • DiGiuseppe R. (1991). Comprehensive Cognitive Disputing in RET. In: Bernard M.E. (eds), Using Rational-Emotive Therapy Effectively. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA.

  • DiGiuseppe, R. A., Doyle, K. A., Dryden, W., & Backx, W. (2015). A Practitioner’s guide to rational-emotive behavior therapy. A Practitioner’s guide to rational-emotive behavior therapy (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med:psych/9780199743049.001.0001.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Dollard, J., Dobb, L. W., Miller, N. E., Mower, O. H., & Sears, R. R. (1939). Frustration and agression. Yale University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A., & Blau, S. (1998). Rational emotive behavior therapy. Directions in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, 8, 41–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (2003). Discomfort anxiety: A new construct (part II). Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 21(3), 193–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza, M., Sanhueza, O., Ramírez, N., & Sáez, K. (2015). Validación de constructo y confiabilidad de la escala de inteligencia emocional en estudiantes de enfermería. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 23(1), 139–147. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.3498.2535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A. G., & Buchner, A. (2007). G*power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193146.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez-Berrocal, P., Extremera, N., & Ramos, N. (2004). Validity and reliability of the Spanish modified version of the trait meta-mood scale. Psychological Reports, 94(3), 751–755. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.94.3.751-755.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Filippello, P., Harrington, N., Buzzai, C., Sorrenti, L., & Costa, S. (2014). The relationship between frustration intolerance, unhealthy emotions, and assertive behaviour in Italian students. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 32(4), 257–278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-014-0193-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, R. O., Marten, P., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism | SpringerLink. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14(5), 449–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, S. B., & Yang, Y. (2015). Evaluation of dimensionality in the assessment of internal consistency reliability: Coefficient alpha and omega coefficients. Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, 34(4), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/emip.12100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J. (2002). Emotion regulation: Affective, cognitive, and social consequences. Psychophysiology, 39, 281–291.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harrington, N. (2005). The frustration discomfort scale: Development and psychometric properties. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 12(5), 374–387. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrington, N. (2011). Frustration and discomfort intolerance: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 29(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-011-0125-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jibeen, T. (2013). Frustration intolerance beliefs as predictors of emotional problems in university undergraduates. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 31(1), 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-012-0154-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, P. C., Haaga, D. A. F., Ellis, A., Bernard, M., DiGiuseppe, R., & Kassinove, H. (1995). Rational-emotive therapy in the 1990 and beyond: Current status, recent revisions, and research questions. Clinical Psychology Review, 15, 169–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kewalramani, S., & Pandey, S. (2020). Effect of frustration intolerance and emotional maturity on internet addiction among young adults. International Journal on Neuropsychology and Behavioural Sciences Effect, 1(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumari, A., & Gupta, S. (2015). A study of emotional intelligence and frustration tolerance among adolescent. Advance research journal of Social Science, 6(2), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.15740/HAS/ARJSS/6.2/173-180.

  • Malouff, J. M., & Schutte, N. S. (1986). Development and validation of a measure of irrational belief. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(6), 860–862. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.54.6.860.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, H. W., Guo, J., Dicke, T., Parker, P. D., & Craven, R. G. (2020). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and set-ESEM: Optimal balance between goodness of fit and parsimony. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 55(1), 102–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2019.1602503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Medrano, L., Franco, P., & Mustaca, A. (2018). Adaptación argentina de la escala de intolerencia a la frustración. Behavioral Psychology/Psicología Conductual, 26(2), 303–321.

  • Mestre, J.M., & Guil, R. (2003). Inteligencia emocional. In E.G. Fernández-Abascal, M.P. Jiménez, & M.D. Martín (Eds.), Emoción y motivación: La adaptación humana (pp. 397-425). Madrid: Centro de Estudios Ramón Areces.

  • Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia, Gobierno de Chile (2017). Encuesta CASEN Base de Datos 2017.

  • Ozer, B. U., Demir, A., & Harrington, N. (2012). Psychometric properties of frustration discomfort scale in a Turkish sample. Psychological Reports, 111(1), 117–128. https://doi.org/10.2466/08.02.18.PR0.111.4.117-128.

  • Ramírez-Maestre, C., Correa, M., Rivas, T., López-Martínez, A. E., Serrano-Ibáñez, E. R., & Esteve, R. (2017). Psychometric characteristics of the flourishing scale-Spanish version (FS-SV). The factorial structure in two samples: Students and patients with chronic pain. Personality and Individual Differences, 117, 30–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.05.035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1989). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image (Rev. ed.). Middeltown, CT: Wesleyan University Press.

  • Salovey, P., Mayer, J. D., Goldman, S., Turvey, C., & Palfai, T. (1995). Emotional attention, clarity, and repair: Exploring emotional intelligence using the trait meta-mood scale. In J. W. Pennebaker (Ed.), Emotion, disclosure and health (pp. 125–154). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

  • Stanković, S., & Vukosavljević-Gvozden, T. (2011). The relationship of a measure of frustration intolerance with emotional dysfunction in a student sample. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 29(1), 17–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-011-0128-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taber, K. S. (2018). The use of Cronbach's alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48(6), 1273–1296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tejada-Gallardo, C., Blasco-Belled, A., Torrelles-Nadal, C. et al. (2020). How does emotional intelligence predict happiness, optimism, and pessimism in adolescence? Investigating the relationship from the bifactor model. Curr Psychol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01061-z.

  • Tinklepaugh, O. L. (1928). An experimental study of representative factors in monkeys. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 8, 197–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tripaldi, S., Paparusso, M., Amabili, M., Manfredi, C., Caselli, G., Scarinci, A., Valenti, V., & Mezzaluna, C. (2018). Frustration discomfort scale (FDS). A psychometric study of the Italian version. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 36(3), 267–287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-018-0286-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Unanue, W., Rempel, K., Gómez, M., & Van den Broeck, A. (2017). When and why does materialism relate to Employees’ attitudes and well-being: The mediational role of need satisfaction and need frustration. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01755.

  • Weissman, A. N., & Beck, A. T. (1978). Development and validation of the dysfunctional attitude scale. Chicago: Paper presented at the The Annual meeting of the Association for the Advanced Behavior Therapy.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Andrés Bello. Facultad de Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Campus Concepción (Chile), Autopista Concepción 4° piso, 7100, Talcahuano, Chile

    Ana M. Ruiz-Ortega

  2. Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071, Málaga, Spain

    Nicolás Sánchez Álvarez

  3. Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Jaén, 23009, Jaén, Spain

    M. Pilar Berrios Martos

Authors
  1. Ana M. Ruiz-Ortega
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nicolás Sánchez Álvarez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Pilar Berrios Martos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana M. Ruiz-Ortega.

Ethics declarations

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Conflict of Interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Apendice 1 Frustration Discomfort Scale Chilean version

Apendice 1 Frustration Discomfort Scale Chilean version

A continuación, se enumeran una serie de pensamientos recurrentes o habituales que pueden tener las personas cuando se sienten angustiadas o frustradas. Por favor, lea cada enunciado y decida qué tan bien describe realmente sus propios pensamientos en esas situaciones. Marque el número que mejor describa su situación [Listed below are a number of common thoughts and beliefs that people may have when they are distressed or frustrated. Please read each statement and decide how well this usually describes your own beliefs. Circle the number that best indicates the strength of this belief].

Escala de calificación: nunca = 1 un poco = 2 regular = 3 bastante = 4 mucho = 5 [Rating scale: absent = 1 mild = 2 moderate = 3 strong = 4 very strong = 5]

1. Necesito solucionar los problemas rápidamente; no soporto pasar un mal rato [I need the easiest way around a problem; I can’t stand making a hard time of it]

2. No soporto esperar para conseguir lo que quiero [I can’t stand having to wait for things I would like now]

3. Necesito deshacerme rápidamente de sentimientos molestos; no soporto tenerlos [I absolutely must be free of disturbing feelings as quickly as possible; I can’t bear if they continue]

4. No soporto que se me impida lograr todo mi potencial [I can’t stand being prevented from achieving my full potential]

5. No soporto enfrentarme a tareas demasiado difíciles [I can’t stand doing tasks that seem too difficult]

6. No soporto cuando las personas actúan en contra de mis deseos [I can’t stand it if people act against my wishes]

7. No soporto sentir que estoy perdiendo el juicio [I can’t bear to feel that I am losing my mind]

8. No soporto el sentimiento de frustración cuando no logro mis objetivos [I can’t bear the frustration of not achieving my goals]

9. No soporto hacer tareas cuando no me apetece [I can’t stand doing tasks when I’m not in the mood]

10. No soporto que otras personas se interpongan en mi camino [I can’t bear it if other people stand in the way of what I want]

11. No soporto ciertos pensamientos que tengo [I can’t bear to have certain thoughts]

12. No soporto renunciar a mis principios, incluso cuando sería lo más fácil [I can’t tolerate lowering my standards even when it would be useful to do so]

13. No soporto tener que esforzarme siempre para hacer ciertas tareas [I can’t stand having to push myself at tasks]

14. No soporto que no se me valore [I can’t tolerate being taken for granted]

15. No soporto ponerme en situaciones donde pudiera sentirme incómodo [I can’t stand situations where I might feel upset]

16. No soporto cuando en el trabajo tengo que dejar las cosas mal hechas [I can’t bear to move on from work I’m not fully satisfied with]

17. No soporto cuando tengo que hacer las cosas inmediatamente [I can’t stand the hassle of having to do things right now]

18. No soporto tener que ceder a las exigencias de otros [I can’t stand having to give into other people’s demands]

19. No soporto tener sentimientos desagradables [I can’t bear disturbing feelings]

20. No soporto hacer un trabajo si no soy capaz de hacerlo bien [I can’t stand doing a job if I’m unable to do it well]

21. No soporto hacer cosas que conllevan muchas molestias [I can’t stand doing things that involve a lot of hassle]

22. No soporto tener que rectificar cuando son otros los que tienen la culpa [I can’t stand having to change when others are at fault]

23. No puedo sentirme bien con mi vida, o ser feliz, si las cosas no cambian [I can’t get on with my life, or be happy, if things don’t change]

24. No soporto la idea de no estar al día con mi trabajo [I can’t bear to feel that I’m not on top of my work]

25. No soporto no poder abandonar tareas desagradables [I can’t stand having to persist at unpleasant tasks]

26. No tolero las críticas, especialmente cuando sé que tengo razón [I can’t tolerate criticism especially when I know I’m right]

27. No soporto no poder controlar mis sentimientos [I can’t stand to lose control of my feelings]

28. No tolero tener ningún tipo de flaqueza en mi autodisciplina [I can’t tolerate any lapse in my self-discipline]

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ruiz-Ortega, A.M., Álvarez, N.S. & Martos, M.P.B. Chilean validation of the frustration discomfort scale: relation between intolerance to frustration and discomfort and emotional intelligence. Curr Psychol 42, 9416–9426 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02135-2

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02135-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation