Differential Psychometric Validation of the Brief Scale of Social Desirability (BSSD-4) in Ecuadorian Youth

Social desirability is a widely studied phenomenon due to its impact on the validity of self-reported data. It refers to the tendency of individuals to respond to questions in a manner that they believe is socially acceptable or favorable rather than providing truthful or accurate answers. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Brief Social Desirability Scale (BSSD-4) in Ecuadorian youth, analyzing its reliability, factorial and convergent validity, and measurement invariance by sex, age group, and experiences of dating violence. An instrumental study was conducted with a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 836 participants (aged 14–26). Reliability was adequate (Ω = 0.75, α = 0.81, CR = 0.759). Confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit indices (CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.056, SRMR = 0.037). Convergent validity was acceptable (AVE = 0.50, VIF < 2.01). A network analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale and structural differences between groups. Measurement invariance by sex and age was verified, but differences in the network structure were found based on victimization and perpetration of violence. The BSSD-4 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing social desirability in Ecuadorian youth, useful for population studies and intergroup comparisons. Further research is recommended to explore its invariance in populations with a history of violence, as differences in scalar invariance were observed.