Development of a Scale Measuring Trait Anxiety in Physical Education

The aim of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of a multi-dimensional measure of trait anxiety specifically designed for the physical education lesson. The Physical Education Trait Anxiety Scale was initially completed by 774 high school students during regular school classes. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed three-factor structure of worry, cognitive processes, and somatic anxiety. Internal consistency coefficients were at high and acceptable levels supporting the reliability of the scale, while intraclass correlation only marginally supported temporal stability. Another sample of 149 students completed the Physical Education Trait Anxiety Scale, the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Test Anxiety Inventory, in order to examine the construct validity of the scale. Moderate correlations among the Physical Education Trait Anxiety Scale subscales, and among the Physical Education Trait Anxiety Scale and the other two scales, supported its construct validity, respectively. The findings of the present study provide preliminary evidence on the psychometric properties of Physical Education Trait Anxiety Scale and support its use with high school students.