Development and validation of the performance environment of practice scale.

Abstract

The performance climate is affected by time, situation, and case, which requires frequent measurement within practice environments where athletes spend most of their time. This study aimed to develop and validate the Performance Environment of Practice Scale (PEPS). Three waves of data collection and analysis were conducted: content validity (n = 30), exploratory factor analysis (n = 389), and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 198). The scale development process provided initial evidence for the face validity and internal reliability of the 7-factor 26-item PEPS for use with athletes in a competitive practice environment. The PEPS provides a performance environment measure that carries lower response burden than previous measurement attempts. The PEPS can be used by coaches at regular intervals to measure the psychological performance climate of their practice environment. Further evaluation of the test-retest reliability and predictive validity of the PEPS is required, along with accuracy assessments against coach performance perceptions and the gathering of normative data.