Frontiers in Psychology (Jul 2024)

Development and initial validation of the Engagement in Athletic Training Scale

  • Jing-Dong Liu,
  • Jun-Xia Wu,
  • Yu-Duo Zou,
  • Zhong-Hao Wang,
  • Shuge Zhang,
  • Jin-Chuan Hu,
  • Hao Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1402065
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

Read online

The current study presents the development process and initial validation of the Engagement in Athletic Training Scale (EATS), which was designed to evaluate athletes’ engagement in athletic training. In study 1, item generation and initial content validity of the EATS were achieved. In study 2, the factor structure of the EATS was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Internal consistency reliabilities of the subscales were examined (N = 460). In study 3, factor structure, discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, and nomological validity of the EATS were further examined in an independent sample (N = 513). Meanwhile, measurement invariance of the EATS across samples (study 2 and study 3) and genders was evaluated. Overall, results from the 3 rigorous studies provided initial psychometric evidence for the 19-item EATS and suggested that the EATS could be used as a valid and reliable measure to evaluate athletes’ engagement in athletic training.

Keywords