Chess Self-efficacy Scale (CSS)

Abstract

The Chess Self-efficacy Scale (CSS; Olivo & Barbaranelli, 2023) was developed to assess players’ beliefs in their capability to exert control over their performance and environmental factors within the context of chess. The scale’s content was generated using the critical incident technique, and the resulting 38-item CSS was subsequently evaluated in Italy. The development process included a comprehensive analysis of its factor structure, reliability, and validity. The purpose of this scale is to investigate how emotional and motivational factors are related to the achievement of ambitious goals in nonphysical sports, such as chess.

Keywords

Performance; Emotion; Negative Emotions; Positive Emotions; Problem-Solving; Preparation and Game; Chess; Self-Efficacy; Nonphysical Sports; Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling.

Authors

Olivo, Ilaria; Barbaranelli, Claudio

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the Chess Self-efficacy Scale (CSS) is to investigate the relationship between emotional and motivational factors and the achievement of ambitious goals in nonphysical sports, specifically chess. It aims to quantify players’ beliefs in their ability to manage their functioning and the environmental demands of the game.

Validity

Criterion Validity: The results indicated significant differences between groups of players, categorized by their ratings, in relation to the “preparation and game” factor, F(2, 319) = 5.304, p < .01, n2 = 0.032, and the “problem-solving” factor, F(2, 319) = 10.321, p < .001, n2 = 0.061, concerning the first-order factors. This suggests that the CSS can differentiate between players based on relevant external criteria.

Reliability

Internal Consistency: The internal consistency of the CSS was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients for the factor scales derived from Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). All coefficients demonstrated adequate reliability. Specifically:

• Preparation and Game Factor Scale: Alpha = .88, Omega = .88

• Problem-Solving Factor Scale: Alpha = .84, Omega = .82

• Negative Emotions Factor Scale: Alpha = .87, Omega = .86

• Positive Emotions Factor Scale: Alpha = .77, Omega = .75

• Performance Factor Scale: Alpha = .89, Omega = .92

• Emotion Factor Scale: Alpha = .85, Omega = .90

• General Self-Efficacy Factor Scale: Alpha = .90, Omega = .95

Factor Analysis

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA): Parallel analysis identified the presence of four major factors. The fourth real-data eigenvalue was 4.4706, while the fourth average and 95% artificial eigenvalues were 3.198 and 3.317, respectively. The fifth real-data eigenvalue was 3.027, compared to the fifth average and 95% artificial eigenvalues of 3.099 and 3.218. The 4-factor solution accounted for 34.93% of the total variance.

Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM): The ESEM/EFA 4-factor solution yielded a significant chi-square of χ²(557) = 992, p < .001. However, the model demonstrated good fit indices, with RMSEA = .046 (p(RMSEA < .05) = .93, 90% CI [.041, .050]) and SRMR = .039.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA): CFA results confirmed the four first-order factors solution, as well as the second- and third-order factorial structures, supporting the hypothesized hierarchical model of chess self-efficacy.

Instrument: Chess Self-Efficacy Scale (CSS)

Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire.

Format: Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (“not confident at all”) to 5 (“completely confident”). The administration method is electronic.

Language Available: English; Italian.

Population Group: Human; Male; Female.

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years & older).

Population Details: The study participants were chess tournament players located in Italy.

Test Methodology: The methodology involved various psychometric analyses, including Test Validity (Criterion Validity), Test Reliability (Internal Consistency), and Factor Analysis (Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling).

Keywords

Performance; Emotion; Negative Emotions; Positive Emotions; Problem-Solving; Preparation and Game; Chess; Self-Efficacy; Nonphysical Sports; Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling.

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Authors

Olivo, Ilaria

• Affiliation: Sapienza University of Roma

• Author ORCID Identifier: No data is Available

Barbaranelli, Claudio

• Affiliation: Sapienza University of Roma

• Email Address: [email protected]

• Correspondence Address: Sapienza University of Roma, Department of Psychology, Via dei Marsi 78, Roma, Italy, 00185.

• Author ORCID Identifier: No data is Available

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author (Claudio Barbaranelli).
Commercial: No.
Fee: No.
Test Year: 2023.

References

Olivo, I., & Barbaranelli, C. (2023). Checking your chess! Development and validation of the Chess Self-efficacy Scale in a competitive setting. TPM-Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology, 30(3), 303–318. https://doi.org/10.4473/TPM30.3.4

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Items of the Chess Self-Efficacy Scale (CSS)

The Chess Self-efficacy Scale consists of 38 items. No specific item details are provided in the text beyond the number of items and the general format of a 5-point Likert scale.

Factors and Subscales: The CSS is structured around four major factors and two higher-order subscales:

Factors:

• Preparation and game

• Negative emotions

• Problem-solving

• Positive emotions

Subscales:

• Performance

• Emotion