A cross-cultural evaluation of a multidimensional and hierarchical model of physical self-perceptions in three national samples

Abstract

A multidimensional and hierarchical model of self-perceptions in the physical domain was evaluated in samples from 3 nations: Great Britain, Sweden, and Turkey. The Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP; Fox & Corbin, 1989), was translated and tested for factorial and construct validity in each national sample. A first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) hypothesizing 4 latent factors representing the subdomains of sports competence, body attractiveness, physical condition, and physical strength was found to describe the PSPP data adequately for each national sample. A second-order CFA model that hypothesized a general latent factor of physical self-worth also exhibited good fit with the data from each sample, supporting the validity of the instrument in the national groups. Multi-sample analyses provided support for both models across samples, although selected items exhibited disparate meanings. The subdomain mean scores were significantly higher in the British sample compared with the Swedish and Turkish samples, with the exception of the physical condition subscale, which was higher in the Swedish and Turkish samples. Overall, these findings support the factor structure of the hierarchical, multidimensional model of physical self-perceptions across the national samples.