Validation of the Chinese version of muscularity attitudes questionnaire in college students

The Drive for Muscularity Attitudes Questionnaire (DMAQ) is a brief tool for assessing muscularity-related attitudes. This study translated the DMAQ into Chinese and evaluated its reliability and validity separately in males and females. A total of 360 Chinese college students completed the questionnaire, and 69 completed a retest one week later. Item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity analysis, internal consistency analysis, and test-retest reliability analysis were conducted. Items 1 and 6, both reverse-worded items, showed weak factor loadings and were removed. The revised 6-item DMAQ showed acceptable factor loadings in both sexes, although one item was slightly below 0.50 in males. Most model fit indices supported the one-factor structure, but RMSEA values were above the conventional threshold. The revised scale showed good internal consistency in males and females, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.874 and 0.917, respectively. Test-retest reliability was moderate overall (ICC = 0.625, 95% CI: 0.304 to 0.792). Convergent validity was partially supported, with stronger correlations observed with the Drive for Muscularity Scale than with other related variables. The revised 6-item Chinese DMAQ showed acceptable reliability and generally supportive structural validity among Chinese college students. However, further validation is needed because of the removal of reverse-worded items, elevated RMSEA values, and partial convergent validity evidence.