Development and validation of the family sports ecosystem questionnaire

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop and validate the family sports ecosystem questionnaire (FSEQ), a novel instrument measuring the family sports ecosystem construct for junior high school students, defined as a dynamic network comprising family sports environment, family physical education, and individual sports consciousness.DesignA methodological cross-sectional study was conducted, employing a multi-phase questionnaire development and validation design: (1) initial item compilation based on theory and literature, (2) content/face validity assessment via expert consultation (three rounds, n = 23 experts), (3) preliminary survey, and (4) psychometric evaluation using split-sample methodology (n = 1344 students, randomly split into n = 672 for exploratory factor analysis (EFA)/item analysis and n = 672 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)).MethodsThe initial items were determined in the form of expert scoring and interviews. Internal consistency assessed via Cronbach's alpha and corrected item total correlation. The construct validity of the questionnaire was verified by EFA and CFA. Model fit indices assessed (e.g. χ²/df, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI)). The convergent validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by factor load, average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability (CR). The Fornell-Larcker criterion was used to evaluate discriminant validity.ResultsThe final FSEQ comprised 33 items across nine factors nested within three dimensions: family sports environment (ball/leisure facilities, swimming/winter facilities, and home electronic devices), family physical education (parental support, role modeling, and sports knowledge instruction), and individual sports consciousness (cognitive identification, emotional attitude, and will/intention). Content validity: Achieved consensus after expert revisions. Reliability: Excellent internal consistency (overall Cronbach's α = 0.943; sub-dimensions α = 0.740 to 0.942). Structural validity: EFA explained 69.543% variance; CFA demonstrated excellent fit (χ²/df = 1.538, RMSEA = 0.028, CFI = 0.979, and TLI = 0.975). Convergent validity: All factor loadings > 0.6, AVE > 0.5, and CR > 0.7. Discriminant validity: Satisfied Fornell-Larcker criterion for all latent variables.ConclusionThe present study established a comprehensive family sports ecosystem and subsequently developed the "FSEQ" for the first time.