AUTHOR=Hu Jin-Chuan , Su Ning , Huang Yanmei , Zou Yu-Duo , Liu Hao , Liu Jing-Dong 

TITLE=Psychometric properties of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale–Short Form: evidence from Chinese elite athletes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1230537

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1230537

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Career Adapt-abilities Scale-Short Form (CAAS-SF) among a sample of Chinese elite athletes.Methods: A sample of Chinese elite athletes (n=770) was invited to participate in this study. Firstly, the factor structure of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF was examined and six measurement models (CFA, H-CFA, B-CFA, ESEM, H-ESEM and B-ESEM) were constructed and compared.Secondly, the internal consistency reliability of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF was examined.Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the nomological validity of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF.Results: The results showed that the hierarchical-ESEM (H-ESEM) model best represented the factor structure of the CAAS-SF among Chinese elite athletes. It suggests that the higher order factor of career adaptability explains the four distinctive but inter-related specific factors of concern, control, curiosity and confidence. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.84-0.90), composite reliability (0.81-0.96) and coefficient omega hierarchical (0.855-0.94) of the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF were larger than the cut-off values, which suggest satisfactory reliability. The results of the SEM revealed that the higher-order factor of career adaptability was positively associated with career decision selfefficacy (β = 0.676, p＜0.001). This result is consistent with previous findings (r=0.65, p< 0.01) and provided support for the nomological validity of the CAAS-SF among Chinese elite athletes.The findings of the present study indicated that the Chinese version of the CAAS-SF displayed satisfactory reliability and validity and could be used to assess career adaptability of Chinese elite athletes. In addition, total score of the CAAS-SF is suggested to be used in future research and practical works.