Confirmatory factor analysis of the 8RNEVS scale in a sample of Mexican university students

Objective: To perform a confirmatory validity test of the 8 Natural Remedies for a Healthy Lifestyle (8RNEVS) scale and verify the model's goodness-of-fit indices in students from a denominational university. Method: A quantitative methodological study with a cross-sectional design aimed at investigating the psychometric properties of the 8RNEVS scale by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent, and discriminant validities in a sample of 350 students from a university in Northern Mexico was realized. The study was evaluated and endorsed by the Research Committee of the participating institution. Results: The confirmatory validity test of the 8RNEVS scale showed satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices (X²/gl = 1.593; RMSEA = 0.046; GFI = 0.916; IFI = 0.955; TLI = 0.944; CFI = 0.954). The composite reliability, assessed through the omega coefficient, was higher than 0.70 in all dimensions. In addition, the scale demonstrated convergent validity (AVE ≥ 0.500), and the square root of the AVE exceeded the correlations between latent variables, evidencing the presence of discriminant validity. Conclusion: The 8RNEVS scale presents confirmatory validity, convergent and discriminant validities in its dimensions, and high composite reliability. This suggests that it is a reliable and valid tool to inquire about using these eight natural remedies to maintain a healthy lifestyle.