Psychometric properties of the 3 × 2 achievement goal questionnaire for sport

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 3 × 2 achievement goal questionnaire (AGQ) for sport. A total of 475 university athletes (263 males, 212 females), ranging from 20 to 29 years of age (M = 24.27, SD = 2.30) took part in the study. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the measurement model of the 3 × 2 AGQ as well as the invariance of the measurement model across gender and type of sport. There were inconsistent loadings to the hypothesised latent factors in the uncorrelated-trait and uncorrelated-method to support the existence of the dual meaning models. Generally, the 3 × 2 achievement goals were linked to other key variables central to the achievement goal literature in a theoretically coherent manner. This study supported the use of the 3 × 2 achievement goal measure in the sport domain. Finally, the findings suggest some cultural differences between Singaporean and Western athletes in the conceptualisation of approach and avoidance tendencies.