Aquatic Perceived Competence Analysis in Children: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Pictorial Scale

Authors

Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia, Universty of MurciaFollow
Luis Miguel Ruiz Pérez, University of Castilla la Mancha

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.02.04.05

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale for measuring perceived motor of children in the water (also known as aquatic perceived competence). One hundred boys and girls four and five years old took part in the study and were given a picture questionnaire featuring a series of images of children engaged in a variety of water tasks. Factor analyses were conducted to test whether the ten-item scale is made up of two major dimensions, the first of them referring to willingness (predisposition or attitudes of the children towards water) and the second to the perceived skill competence in water. This instrument was shown to have suitable psychometric properties both on the overall scale (α = .92) and on the two sub-scales: willingness (α = .93) and motor capability (α = .85), with the eldest participants registering the highest values. The Aquatic Perceived Competence Pictorial Scale (APCPS) for children is recommended as an instrument of use to researchers and swimming instructors to use for assessing the aquatic perceived competence of their students.

Recommended Citation

Moreno Murcia, Juan Antonio and Ruiz Pérez, Luis Miguel (2008) "Aquatic Perceived Competence Analysis in Children: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Pictorial Scale," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: Vol. 2: No. 4, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.02.04.05
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol2/iss4/5