Validation of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 for adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Abstract

The Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2) has demonstrated reliability and validity in the general population; yet the psychometric properties have not been tested among rehabilitation populations, such as persons experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. The objective of the current study was to examine the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the BREQ-2 in a sample of adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain (n=211) were recruited from clinical and community networks in the United States. Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey and analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, multiple indicators multiple causes analysis, and correlational techniques. Participants completed the BREQ-2 and other measures relevant to self-determination theory, including outcome expectancies, self-efficacy and family and friend support for physical activity and exercise. Results indicated the intercorrelated model fit the data well. The five factors of amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation and intrinsic regulation toward physical activity and exercise demonstrated good reliability and construct validity. This study provides evidence of factorial and construct validity for the BREQ-2 among people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Implications for rehabilitation practitioners and researchers are discussed.