Translation and validation of the techno-stress questionnaire in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the techno-stress questionnaire proposed by Ragu Nathan et al into Brazilian Portuguese and to culturally adapt and validate it. For this, 4 of the 11 original questionnaires' domains were used.

Methods: The questionnaires' domains translated and adapted were as follows: techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, and job satisfaction. Initially, the techno-stress questionnaire was translated into Brazilian Portuguese language according to international standards, followed by cultural adaptations. Validation for feasibility and psychometric properties of translated questionnaire was performed on 138 gynecologists and obstetricians who use message applications to communicate with patients. The physicians were divided into groups according to the weekly messaging application usage time for communication with patients: <2 h (GI, n=89), 2-5 h (GII, n=29), and >5 h (GIII, n=23). The questionnaire was applied to all participants twice on the same day, overseen by two different interviewers, at a 15-min interval. After 15 days, it was readministered. The discriminant validity and reliability were calculated to validate the instrument.

Results: Techno-stress subscales showed statistically significant differences between the groups. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the techno-stress questionnaire was >0.80, showing good internal consistency. No differences were observed in the test-retest comparison of the techno-stress questionnaire, and the intraclass correlation coefficient results showed excellent reproducibility (³0.75).

Conclusion: The techno-stress questionnaire was adequately translated into Brazilian Portuguese, with good discriminant validity, good internal consistency, and adequate test-retest results.