Hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis of the Flow State Scale in exercise

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• The Flow State Scale is a self-report questionnaire used to assess flow in sport and physical activity.
• Understanding the factor structure and internal consistency of such scales is crucial for accurate measurement in exercise settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the factor structure and internal consistency of the Flow State Scale.
• To test three competing measurement models: single-factor, nine-factor, and hierarchical.
• To evaluate the scale's applicability in an exercise context.

Main Methods:

• Administered the Flow State Scale to 1231 aerobic dance exercise participants.
• Utilized confirmatory factor analyses to test measurement models.
• Assessed internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha for each subscale.

Main Results:

• The single-factor model demonstrated a poor fit to the data.
• Neither the nine-factor nor the hierarchical model showed an adequate fit.
• Most subscales exhibited acceptable internal consistency (alpha > 0.70), except for 'transformation of time' (alpha = 0.65).

Conclusions:

• The study's findings do not support the validity of the single-factor, nine-factor, or hierarchical models of the Flow State Scale in exercise settings.
• Further research is needed to refine or validate measurement tools for flow experiences in physical activity.