Psychometric properties of Physical Self Inventory-Turkish version among university students

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Physical Self Inventory (PSI) among university students. Methods: One hundred and eighty-seven females and 106 males, totally 293 university students (mean age 21.97±1.71 years) participated in this study. The Turkish version of PSI, Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), and Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) were administered to participants in a group setting. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test construct validity of PSI-Turkish version. In addition, Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to see relationships between PSI-Turkish and PSDQ subscales for concurrent validity and between PSI-Turkish subscales and SPAS for convergent validity. Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated to determine reliability. Results: CFA results provided good fit index values for the model with 24 items indicating similar factor structure with the original scale’s six-factor structure. In terms of concurrent validity, it was found positive and statistically significant relationships between PSI-Turkish and PSDQ subscales ranging from 0.65 to 0.84. In addition, statistically significant and negative correlation coefficients were found between social physique anxiety and PSI-Turkish subscales, showing convergent validity. These coefficients ranged from -0.23 (physical strength) to -0.45 (physical attractiveness). These findings revealed that concurrent and convergent validities of the PSI-Turkish were supported. Internal consistency coefficients of the PSI-Turkish subscales ranged from 0.55 (physical attractiveness) to 0.89 (sport competence). Conclusion: It can be concluded that PSI-Turkish version is a valid and reliable instrument to measure physical self-perception among university students.