Validity and Reliability of a Fear of Failure Scale for Adolescents

This study aimed to establish the validity and reliability of a fear of failure scale for adolescents.

The study involved 279 secondary school students enrolled in the 2020-2021 academic year. Internal consistency, item-total score correlation, and split-half methods were used to determine reliability, while exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to determine validity.

The two split-in-half method calculations found a Guttman Split-in-Half coefficient of 0.855 and a Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.857. Cronbach's Alpha was 0.802 for the first half (items 1-9) and 0.774 for the second half (items 10-17). CFA analyses showed that a three-factor solution fit the data, but some goodness-of-fit indices fell below acceptable levels. To improve the model, error covariances of certain items were correlated based on modification indices. The final values were Minimum Discrepancy of Confirmatory Factor Analysis/Degrees of Freedom (CMIN/df) = 2.727, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.911, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) = 0.863, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.673, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.079, χ² = 160.9, Degrees of Freedom (DF) = 59. Factor loadings ranged from 0.52 to 0.83 for the first factor, 0.68 to 0.85 for the second factor, and 0.55 to 0.84 for the third factor.

The fear of failure scale is a reliable and valid measurement tool. A review of the existing literature revealed a lack of scales that assess the physical, emotional, and thought dimensions of fear of failure among individuals aged 11-14 years. This gap underscores the potential for measurement-based research in this domain. Through this study, a valid and reliable scale was developed to evaluate fear of failure in adolescents within the 11-14 year-age range, thereby addressing this critical need.