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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on May 11, 2009
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp031
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Validity of Social-Cognitive Measures for Physical Activity in Middle-School Girls

Rod K. Dishman, PhD1, Derek P. Hales, PhD2, James F. Sallis, PhD3, Ruth Saunders, PhD4, Andrea L. Dunn, PhD5, Ariane L. Bedimo-Rung, PhD6 and Kimberly B. Ring, MPH2

1University of Georgia, 2University of North Carolina, 3San Diego State University, 4University of South Carolina, 5Klein Buendel, Inc., 6Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Rod K. Dishman, Department of Kinesiology, The University of Georgia, Ramsey Student Center, 330 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-6554, USA. E-mail: rdishman{at}uga.edu


  Abstract

Objective The factorial validity and measurement equivalence/invariance of scales used to measure social-cognitive correlates of physical activity among adolescent girls were examined. Methods Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to questionnaire responses obtained from a multi-ethnic sample (N = 4885) of middle-school girls from six regions of the United States. A cohort of 1893 girls completed the scales in both sixth and eighth grades, allowing longitudinal analysis. Results Theoretically and statistically sound models were developed for each scale, supporting the factorial validity of the scales in all groups. Multi-group and longitudinal invariance was confirmed across race/ethnicity groups, age within grade, BMI categories, and the 2-year period between grades. Conclusions The scores from the scales provide valid assessments of social-cognitive variables that are putative mediators or moderators of change in physical activity. The revised scales can be used in observational studies of change or interventions designed to increase physical activity among girls during early adolescence.

Key words: African American; Asian American; confirmatory factor analysis; Hispanic/Latina; measurement equivalence/invariance; mediators; physical activity..

Received November 19, 2008; revision received March 19, 2009; accepted March 22, 2009


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