A Rasch analysis of emerging adults’ health motivation questionnaire in higher education context

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248389
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15T17:25:08Z
• Authors: Min An; Xiaofei Yu
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Motivation; Adolescent; Psychometrics; Science; 4. Education; Q; 05 social sciences; R; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 0504 sociology; Education, Professional; Quality of Life; Medicine; Humans; Female; Healthy Lifestyle; Research Article

Objective The College Students’ Health Motivation Questionnaire (CSHM-Q) is used to measure motivation for a healthy lifestyle among emerging adults. This study sought to validate the CSHM-Q using the Rasch measurement model.

Methods 322 participants were recruited based on a convenience sampling method. The Rasch analysis was carried out using the RUMM2030 software.

Results Local item dependency was accommodated using the ‘super item’ approach. Disordered thresholds were resolved by collapsing some response options. After modification, each component of the CSHM-Q showed acceptable overall fit, item and person fit, internal consistency, and targeting. Unidimensionality was supported at the subscale level. Items did not exhibit disordered threshold, local item dependency, or differential item functioning. Transforming tables were also created to help convert the raw score into an interval scale.

Conclusions Results of the Rasch analysis supported the interval scale measurement properties of the CSHM-Q and offered health education researchers an instrument to measure emerging adults’ health motivation in the higher education context.