Abstract
Qualitative methods dominate Positive Development (PD) research. A need for reliable and valid quantitative measurement tools exists (MacDonald & McIsaac, 2016). Rathwell and Young (2016) created the University Sport Experience Survey (USES), which assesses PD in university sport. Although the psychometric properties of USES were confirmed, its validity may be confined to Canadian settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the fit and factor structure of a Portuguese version of the USES (USES-BR) with a sample of university athletes from all regions of Brazil (N = 1021; Male = 516, Female = 496; Mage = 22, SD = 3.17). The cross-cultural adaptation of the USES involved back-translation (two translators and two back translators) and content validity analysis by a committee made up of PhDs and bilingual professors. The USES-BR presented acceptable coefficients (CVC> 0.80 – Hernández-Nieto, 2002) for clarity of language, practical relevance, and theoretical relevance. The item-dimension agreement coefficient was considered substantial (Kappa = 0.69 – Landis; Koch, 1977). The fit and factor structure were assessed using CFA and results showed good fit: CFI = .867, SRMR = .042, RMSEA = .041 (90% CI = .039 – .042), X² (953) = 2541.585, p < .001, and X²/df = 2.667. Our results suggest this confirmed model, containing Portuguese translated items, has strong factorial validity for assessing developmental outcomes of university-aged student-athletes in Brazilian university contexts. The current results support the external validity of the USES, and offer evidence of the first validated Portuguese assessment tool for assessing PD in university sport.
