title: Psychometric Properties of the Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale: A Rasch Analysis Based on Data From Five Locations.
abstract: This article describes the development and validation of the Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS) to measure the attitudes, beliefs, and self-efficacy toward physical activity by children at the primary school level. The framework included: physical fitness, self-efficacy, personal best goal orientation in physical activity, interest in physical activity, importance of physical activity, benefits of physical activity, contributions of video exercise to learning in school subjects, contributions of video exercise to learning about health and environmental support. The sample comprised of 630 school students between grades 1 and 7 from five countries, namely Lithuania (29%), Poland (26%), Serbia (19%), Singapore (16%) and Zimbabwe (11%). Rasch analysis found empirical evidence in support of measurement validity of the APAS in terms of Rasch item reliabilities, unidimensionality, effectiveness of response categories, and absence of gender differential item functioning (DIF). The validation of the APAS according to the Rasch model meant that a dependable tool was established for gauging programme effectiveness of intervention programs on physical activity of primary school children in classroom settings at various geographical locations globally.
authors.affiliation: Magdalena Mo Ching Mok, Assessment Research Centre and Department of Psychological Studies, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, mmcmok@ied.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Magdalena Mo Ching
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mok
authors.forename: Ming Kai
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Shihui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Arunas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Emeljanovas
authors.forename: Brigita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mieziene
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bronikowski
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laudanska-Krzeminska
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Milanovic
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pasic
authors.forename: Govindasamy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balasekaran
authors.forename: Kia Wang
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Phua
authors.forename: Daga
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Makaza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013334:Students