Confirming the Factor Structure and Validity of the Physical Self-Perception Profile Among Chinese University Students

Abstract ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct a psychometric validation of the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP), with particular emphasis on its cultural relevance and measurement accuracy in the context of Chinese university students.MethodsA stratified random sample of 150 students from a public university in Deyang, China, completed the PSPP. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, while the factor structure was examined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using SPSS and AMOS, respectively.ResultsThe PSPP exhibited strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 across all subscales. EFA extracted five factors consistent with the original theoretical structure, and CFA confirmed an acceptable model fit (RMSEA = 0.053, CFI = 0.850, TLI = 0.950). These findings support the structural validity of the scale within the Chinese university contextConclusionThe validated PSPP is a reliable and culturally appropriate instrument for assessing physical self-perception among Chinese university students. Its applicability extends to both educational and psychological research, particularly in exploring links between self-perception, motivation for physical activity, and mental health outcomes such as self-esteem and well-being.