The Construct Validity of the Tennis Self-Concept Scale II

This dissertation study focused on the structure of self-concept in the sport of tennis. A new scale was designed to assess tennis self-concept across five core tennis skills, an assortment of ancillary skills, fitness, psychological skills, and general tennis. The Tennis Self-Concept Scale II (TSCS II) was tested for construct validity with a sample of 225 college students participating in undergraduate tennis classes. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the internal structure of the TSCS II. A comparison was made between two competing theoretical models of self-concept: A hierarchy and taxonomy. Convergent and discriminant validity estimates were attained by correlating the TSCS II with the psychometrically established Physical SelfDescription Questionnaire (PSDQ). Internal consistency reliabilities, and relations with tennis related behaviors were assessed. The relation of the perceived importance of tennis self-concept to participants’ self-esteem also was assessed.