Abstract
This paper outlines the development and preliminary validation of a sport-specific measure of athletes’ experience of challenge and threat. Three independent studies assess the content validity, factor structure, criterion validity and internal consistency of the Challenge and Threat in Sport (CAT-Sport) Scale. In study 1, a group of 25 athletes and 2 experts assessed the content validity of items derived from existing measures of challenge and threat. Participants examined a pool of 25 items, and were asked to rate the items’ applicability to their experiences of challenge and threat in sport. Items failing to reach applicability of 50% were excluded from further analysis. In study 2, 197 runners completed the 21 items retained from study 1 before competition. A principal components analysis with an oblique, direct oblimin rotation yielded a 12-item, two-component solution with items indicative of athletes’ experiences of challenge and threat. In study 3, 201 shooters completed the 12-item CAT-Sport before competition. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a 12-item 2-factor correlated model provided acceptable model fit with good internal consistency and criterion validity. Collectively these studies provide support for the CAT-Sport as a measure of athletes’ experience of challenge and threat in anticipation of sport competition.
Highlights
Athletes report a considerable array of organisational and competitive demands associated with training and competition (Arnold & Fletcher, 2012)
Items retained in the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) reflect the notion that (a) challenge is characterised by an experience that is associated with looking forward to demonstrate abilities, skills and success and (b) threat is characterised by an experience that is reflected in worries about competition
The two component solution provides some interesting hypotheses in relation to theory on challenge and threat
Summary
Athletes report a considerable array of organisational and competitive demands associated with training and competition (Arnold & Fletcher, 2012). Where individuals report high levels of self-efficacy, high levels of perceived control, and adopt approach goals, challenge is purported to be elicited. In circumstances where self-efficacy is low, perceptions of control are diminished and avoidance goals more prevalent, threat is hypothesised to be elicited (cf Jones et al, 2009). It is important to note that challenge and threat only occur in a motivated performance situation, characterised by a sense of effort, uncertainty and/or danger (cf., Blascovich & Mendes, 2000). If there is nothing at stake it is unlikely that an individual will experience challenge or threat (Blascovich & Mendes, 2000)
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