Development of questionnaires to measure physical activity cognitions among Taiwanese adolescents

Background. Although a number of studies have investigated perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers and their relationship to adolescents' participation in physical activity, the validity and reliability of the instruments used have not been consistently examined. The purpose of the present study was to develop culturally sensitive, reliable, and valid instruments to measure physical activity cognitions among Taiwanese adolescents. Methods. The items generated for the instruments were drawn from a comprehensive literature review and a focus group interview. The instruments were translated using the back-translation technique and evaluated by a panel of experts. Psychometric testing was performed and confirmed with convenience samples of 110 and 969 Taiwanese adolescents. Results. Psychometric testing demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency and validity of the instrument for this group of Taiwanese adolescents. Cronbach's a's ranged from 0.79 to 0.90. Construct validity was supported by exploring the factor structure of the instrument using confirmatory factor analysis and correlation with the outcome variable of physical activity. Conclusions. The study identified culturally sensitive items to measure physical activity cognitions in urban Taiwanese students in their early adolescence. Clinicians or practitioners can use the instruments developed and tested in this study for clinical assessment to identify risk factors for inactivity as well as for further research in similar populations. (C) 2002 American Health Foundation and Elsevier Science (USA).