Factor Structures of the Sport Character in Korean Athletes

Abstract

Purpose: This study developed a measure of sport character based on the model of moral action. Methods: Participants were 332 Korean athletes (Mage=19.86 years, SD=2.28) enrolled in a variety of sports. Using SPSS Package, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, reliability analysis, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted to analyze the data. The main criteria used to identify the correct number of factors were a Parallel Analysis (PA) and theoretical interpretability. Results: First, a series of principal component analysis (PCA) with an oblimin rotation extracted four factors with 27 items. Second, a series of principal axis factoring (PAF) utilizing a direct oblimin rotation extracted five factors with 27 items. Third, the two models were compared in order to determine the most parsimonious and theoretically strong factor structure for the Sport Character Scale (SCS). Consequently, EFA suggested that a five-factor, 27-item model best fits the data. The factors included compassion, fairness, sportspersonship, antisocial attitude, and integrity. Conclusions: The newly developed SCS appeared to reflect unique characteristics of sport character in Korean athletes.