The tendency to avoid physical activity and sport scale (TAPAS): Rasch analysis with differential item functioning testing among a Chinese sample

Fan CW 1 , Chang YL 2 , Huang PC 3 , Fung XCC 4 , Chen JK 5 , Bevan N 6 Show all authors , O'Brien KS 6 , Yeh YC 7 , Chen HP 8 , Chen IH 9 , Lin IC 10 , Griffiths MD 11 , Lin CY 12

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Occupational Therapy, AdventHealth University, 671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, FL, 32803, USA
  • 2 Department of Family Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, No. 362, Zhongzheng Rd., Xindian Dist, New Taipei, 231403, Taiwan
  • 3 Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
  • 4 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd., Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
  • 5 Department of Social Work, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
  • 6 School of Social Sciences, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
  • 7 Department of Occupational Therapy, Shu-Zen Junior College of Medicine and Management, 452, Huanqiu Rd., Luzhu Dist, Kaohsiung, 821004, Taiwan
  • 8 Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, E-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan. shinpao2002@yahoo.com.tw
  • 9 Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Qufu Normal University, 57 Jingxuan West Rd, Qufu, 273165, China
  • 10 Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan. licypy01@asia.edu.tw
  • 11 International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
  • 12 Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan. cylin36933@gmail.com
BMC Psychol, 2023 Nov 04;11(1):369.
PMID: 37925470 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01377-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The benefits of physical activity are well-known to prevent multiple long-term health conditions. Physical appearance and weight-related stigma may influence individuals' decision to engage in physical activity and sport. Therefore, the present study examined the psychometric properties of a newly developed instrument, the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS), using modern test theory.

METHODS: A total of 2319 university students were recruited from mainland China and they completed the TAPAS. Rasch analysis was used to examine the TAPAS' rating scaling functioning, test unidimensionality, item hierarchy, ceiling and floor effects, and differential item functioning (DIF). Moreover, the concurrent validity of the TAPAS was examined using the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS: Unidimensionality was confirmed except for one item. Items corresponding to attitude toward physical activity were more easily adopted compared to items corresponding to actual behavioral aspects. No ceiling and floor effects were found. No DIF existed in the TAPAS items. The TAPAS was strongly correlated with both the WSSQ and WBIS, but not BMI.

CONCLUSION: The study showed that overall, the TAPAS has robust psychometric properties. However, future research needs to address the misfit item and explore the feasibility of applying the TAPAS to other populations including wider ethnic groups, age ranges, and life stages.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications