Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40033429›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2025

Psychometric properties of the Sport Mental Health Continuum - Short Form scale (Sport MHC-SF): cross-cultural validation and measurement invariance of the Chinese adaptation.

Xiawei Wang, Yang Zhou, Lan Li, Yee Cheng Kueh, Linxian Zeng, Garry Kuan

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Xiawei WangExercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia.
Yang ZhouSchool of Physical Education in Main Campus, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. Zhouyang8909@outlook.com.
Lan LiSchool of Physical Education, Kyonggi University, Suwon-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 16216, South Korea.
Yee Cheng KuehBiostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia.
Linxian ZengExercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia.
Garry KuanExercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia. garry@usm.my.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSport Mental Health Continuum - Short Form (Sport MHC-SF) is an adaptation of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form for athletes. Although validated in Western contexts, its applicability to the Chinese population remains unexplored. This study aims to validate the Chinese adaptation of the Sport MHC-SF in Chinese university athletes, evaluate its reliability and validity, and confirm its factorial structure.

methodsA total of 1,025 Chinese university athletes (65% male, mean age 20 ± 1.54 years) were included in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group CFA (MGCFA) were conducted using Mplus 8.0 to evaluate the factorial structure and assess measurement invariance across sports levels.

resultsBoth the three-factor and second-order models demonstrated a good fit for the Chinese adaptation of the Sport MHC-SF. Chi-square values were 262.704 (74) and 262.705 (74), respectively, with a comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.968, a Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) of 0.961, a standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) of 0.027, and a root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.050 (90% CI: 0.043-0.056). Measurement invariance across ranked and non-ranked athletes was confirmed, with minimal changes in fit indices (ΔCFI ≤ 0.01, ΔTLI ≤ 0.01, ΔRMSEA ≤ 0.015) from configural to strict invariance.

conclusionThe Chinese adaptation of the Sport MHC-SF scale has strong construct validity, reliability, and measurement invariance, making it a reliable tool for future research on the well-being of Chinese athletes. This study fills a critical gap in cross-cultural validation, offering a foundation for future research and practical applications in sports psychology among Chinese athletes.

Indexed as

AthletesMental HealthPsychometricsSportsAdolescentAdultChinaCross-Cultural ComparisonFactor Analysis, StatisticalFemaleHumansMaleReproducibility of ResultsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA)Mental health and well-beingUniversity athletes

Identifiers

PMID40033429
PMCPMC11874113

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