In this study, 1700 responses were collected from Latin American residents to validate the "War-effect" scale. According to the values obtained in the statistical analysis of the scale and each of its items, we can conclude that the scale is a reliable method to measure and compare, to a great extent, the perception of war and the its approach within Latin America. The analysis performed is similar to that proposed by Yuchun Zhou et al, in their work on how to develop and validate scales (21). Optimal results were obtained in all the phases, and it was executed in a large population of multiple countries and during the most critical weeks of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; therefore, this scale can be used in multiple contexts and countries.
The instrument designed and validated in this research (War-effect) can be used and administered in the current context of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Moreover, it is designed to have a wide margin of action so it can be applied in different scenarios of armed conflicts, regardless of their scope. This instrument allows us to evaluate fear perception of consequences resulting from war in different war scenarios and situations, due to the intrinsic adaptability of the variables established in the War-effect questionnaire. On the other hand, this questionnaire could be used along with other instruments and scales that allow the evaluation of other components of the population’s mental health, as well as other changes influenced by the war context (22–24).
We have included questions that permit us to assess fear of the economic consequences of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in the Latin American population. This is important. This is important because the economic and product exchange was stagnated between America and the conflict zone. This was not only due to the restrictions imposed, but also to the devaluation of the Russian currency, the decrease in the supply of products, among others (25). This will affect the economy of many countries in our region. For example, a decrease of up to 90% of bananas, flowers and shrimps is expected in Ecuador. In addition, in Paraguay and Colombia, it has caused a limitation in meat export. Furthermore, within the framework of this conflict, the price of oil in Paraguay has increased up to 70% (26).
All these market changes are causing unemployment, strikes and economic instability in Latin America. However, there could also be positive effects for some countries; for example, the limitation of fertilizer exports by Russia could benefit Bolivia by boosting its industry. In the case of Panama, this country remains neutral as long as the Panama Canal remains safe and open for the peaceful transit of ships of all nations on equal terms (27, 28). This shows us that there could be several and very varied consequences in the countries on this side of the world, but that they must be evaluated with instruments that have passed a rigorous validation process.
There are questions that measure the direct repercussion for family/friends living near the conflict, with which we can measure how it affects mental health. In addition, it is known that there are almost 100 thousand immigrants in Ukraine, coming from diverse countries, including Latinos; who now face not only the problems of discrimination, but those generated while trying to escape the war (29,30). We can also mention the large group of migrants coming from Latin America, in recent years, in all around the world, not only because of the conflicts that have occurred in Venezuela, but also because of the bad situation in other countries such as Argentina, Peru and some others. Therefore, it is necessary to have this type of instruments in order to know if there are relatives or people we know in that part of the world. In addition, this survey could be used for other wars or conflicts, in general, occurring in other parts of the world.
The study’s limitation was the use of convenience sampling, which does not allow extrapolating the results to the entire Latin America population or to the countries where it was administered. However, since it had a large population, this type of instrumental study does not require a random sampling; and more than 283 respondents were obtained for each of the six final questions. All in all, this research would show us an instrument that can be taken into account for different realities. Furthermore, it is the first instrument of its kind in the Latin American context. Additionally, it can be used for situations such as this Russian-Ukrainian war and in possible future warlike conflicts.
Taking into account all that was generated in the research, it is concluded that a short instrument was validated in half a dozen Latin American countries and in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine. All the validation process stages were satisfactory and with very acceptable indicators. Recommendations for analysis are also provided, using the tertiles after the addition of the scores.