Adaptation and Validation of the Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior Scale in Sports for the Spanish Context

Noelia Navarro,Rubén Trigueros,Adolfo J Cangas,José M Aguilar-Parra

doi:10.3390/su12072859

Abstract

The sporting context favors exchange and promotes social relations. Although there are various tools for measuring social behavior, most of them are not adapted to the Spanish context. The aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the Scale of Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sports (PABSS) for that context. The sample was made up of 732 athletes between the ages of 18 and 38 (M = 22.9; SD = 7.3). Statistical analyses allowed us to confirm their appropriate psychometric properties. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the existence of two factors (antisocial behavior and prosocial behavior). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the internal structure of the questionnaire. In addition, the scale was invariant with respect to gender. Cronbach’s Alpha values above 0.70 were found in the different subscales, as well as adequate temporal stability. Therefore, the scale provides a very useful tool in clarifying behavioral processes at the base of prosocial and antisocial behavior in adults towards teammates or rivals in the context of sports competitions in Spain.

Highlights

In the field of sport, prosocial behavior and values promote moral and social development, commitment, participation, and the transmission of values such as cooperation, tolerance, respect for rules, and self-discipline, are continuously generated [1,2]
Kavussanu and Boardley [2] created the Scale of Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sports to measure such behaviors in the sports context, a scale that has been successfully applied in multiple studies [4,5]
Studies suggest that prosocial behavior plays an important role in establishing positive interpersonal relationships [8,9], in motivation and academic success [10], and in meeting psychological needs [11]

Summary

Introduction

In the field of sport, prosocial behavior and values promote moral and social development, commitment, participation, and the transmission of values such as cooperation, tolerance, respect for rules, and self-discipline, are continuously generated [1,2]. Prosocial behavior can be defined as “the set of actions that aim to benefit other people or groups” [6] This type of behavior has been described as voluntary and multi-causal, determined by a great diversity of causal and experiential factors, as well as moderating processes and circumstances of socialization effects [7]. Studies suggest that prosocial behavior plays an important role in establishing positive interpersonal relationships [8,9], in motivation and academic success [10], and in meeting psychological needs [11] In sports contexts, this type of behavior would be represented in actions such as congratulating the opposing team after a win, cooperating in team strategy, or apologizing for a bad action. Those athletes who experience more prosocial behavior toward their teammates have been found to have more prosocial behavior toward others as well [15]

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