Development and Validation of the High Performance Volleyball Self-Efficacy Scale

Area of Science:

• Sports Psychology
• Sport Performance Measurement

Background:

• Self-efficacy is crucial for athletic success, particularly in demanding sports like volleyball.
• Existing measures may not adequately capture the multifaceted nature of self-efficacy in elite volleyball players.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and psychometrically validate a self-efficacy scale tailored for high-performance volleyball athletes.
• To create a reliable and valid instrument for assessing different dimensions of self-efficacy in this population.

Main Methods:

• Item content was generated through literature review and expert interviews.
• A preliminary scale was administered to 24 athletes, followed by a larger study of 300 Brazilian high-performance volleyball athletes.
• Statistical analyses, including model fit evaluation and reliability testing, were employed.

Main Results:

• The final Volleyball Self-Efficacy Scale (VSES) comprises 19 items across three factors: Self-Efficacy in the Game, Defensive Self-Efficacy in Volleyball, and Offensive Self-Efficacy in Volleyball.
• The scale demonstrated adequate model fit, internal reliability, and measurement invariance across sexes.
• The instrument's content, internal structure, and relationships with other variables were supported.

Conclusions:

• The Volleyball Self-Efficacy Scale (VSES) is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing self-efficacy in high-performing Brazilian volleyball athletes.
• The VSES provides a reliable tool for researchers and coaches to evaluate athlete confidence.
• The scale's validation supports its use in understanding and potentially enhancing volleyball player performance.