Psychometric properties of the risk, pain, and injury questionnaire in Chinese collegiate athletes and its relationship with locus of control

PURPOSE: This study aimed to adapt the Risk, Pain, and Injury Questionnaire (RPIQ) to Chinese collegiate athletes and examine its reliability and validity. METHODS: Six hundred thirty collegiate athletes aged 17 to 24 years agreed to complete the RPIQ, the Chinese version of the SIAS and an LOC scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA, n = 300) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n = 330) were conducted to explore its structure, and convergent and construct validity were investigated by examining the relationships between various factors of the RPIQ, LOC, SIAS and injury risk. RESULTS: The results of EFA show the Chinese version of the RPIQ contained 12 items and was divided into three factors: tough, pressed and rational choice. CFA confirmed its factorial structure (CMIN/DF = 2.61, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.07). The reliability of the scale was satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75). Significant associations between the RPIQ factors and LOC and SIAS were found, suggesting the construct validity of the scale was acceptable. Additionally, significant gender differences were found in the RPIQ factors and athletes who participated in individual sports scored higher on tough and rational choice factors than those who participated in team sports. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the RPIQ has sufficient psychometric properties and can be used as a reliable and effective tool for measuring attitudes of the risk, pain and injury of collegiate athletes.