Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of professional commitment questionnaire among nursing students: validation using classical test theory and item response theory

Assessing professional commitment is crucial for understanding workforce dynamics, particularly in healthcare. The Professional Commitment Questionnaire (PCQ) is a concise tool designed for such assessments. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the PCQ into Chinese and validate its psychometric properties among nursing students. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were conducted using the translation, review, adjudication, pre-testing, and documentation (TRAPD) methodology. Psychometric properties were assessed through classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). According to CTT, the content validity (S-CVI = 1), convergent validity (AVE = 0.792), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.878), and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.782) of the Chinese version of the PCQ (CV-PCQ) were acceptable. According to IRT, item fit (infit and outfit MNSQ ranging from 0.552 to 1.077) and differential item functioning (p values ranging from 0.164 to 0.870) were acceptable. The CV-PCQ demonstrated acceptable content validity, convergent validity, structural validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability, as well as acceptable item fit and differential item functioning among Chinese nursing students. These specific psychometric properties support its utility as a brief assessment tool for nursing educators, researchers, and policymakers.