Which health regulatory focus scale should I choose? A psychometric evaluation of Gomez and Ferrer’s measures in Chinese populations

Health regulatory focus is an important construct related to health-related behaviors. However, the psychometric distinctions between two commonly used health regulatory focus scales, one developed by Gomez et al. (2013; G-scale) and the other by Ferrer et al. (2017; F-scale), remain insufficiently understood. This research aims to clarify the two scales by integrating a meta-analytic review with empirical survey studies, focusing on both theoretical and psychometric properties. Study 1 conducted a meta-analysis of 22 published articles to assess the reliability of the two scales across diverse samples, using generalized reliability meta-analyses. Study 2 utilized two samples: a cross-sectional survey ( n = 1716; 73.5% female; Mage = 20.77) and a longitudinal sample ( n = 453; 77.5% female; Mage = 19.62). The results showed that the F-scale demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity with good model fit indices (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.07), whereas the G-scale exhibited mixed model fit (CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.90, and RMSEA = 0.13). Notably, results from exploratory structural equation modeling and network analysis revealed theoretically meaningful distinctions between them. Specifically, the G-scale’s promotion focus was more strongly associated with outcome expectations (edge weight = 0.11), whereas the F-scale’s promotion focus showed a stronger link to health behavioral motivation (edge weight = 0.23). Additionally, the F-scale’s prevention focus was more closely related to exercise procrastination (edge weight = 0.30). These findings emphasize important theoretical differences between the two scales and suggest that researchers should select the scale most aligned with their conceptual framework and research objectives.