Psychometric properties and gender factorial invariance of the Spanish version of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) in adolescents

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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish Behavioral Regulation Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) proposed by González-Cutre et al. (2010) among adolescents, and to analyze the factor invariance across gender. An initial sample of 394 Spanish secondary school students were invited to participate in the present study (final sample = 303; 134 females and 169 males, average age = 13.9 ± 1.1 years). Participants filled the Spanish version of the BREQ-3 previously validated in adults by González-Cutre et al. (2010). Confirmatory factor analyses and factorial invariance by gender of the BREQ-3 questionnaire were conducted. Reliability (internal consistency) was calculated using Cronbach’s Alpha and Omega. Results showed that the six-factor model with 18 items (i.e., three items per factor) showed the best indices of fit (CFI = 0.980; RMSEA = 0.035; GFI = 0.945), as well as model invariance across gender (∆CFI ≤ 0.01). The internal consistency was acceptable to good (Ω = 0.645-0.851). In conclusion, the proposed 18-item and six-factor Spanish version of the BREQ-3 questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement instrument to assess motivational regulations toward physical activity practice according to the Self-Determination Theory framework among Spanish secondary school students.