Development and Validation of a Survey Instrument to Build Capacity for Examining Constraints to Sport Participation

Abstract

It is well documented that sport participation is relatively low among adolescent girls due to various constraints. Though much knowledge exists on these constraints, there is a need to examine if and whether constraints interact to influence sport participation.The purpose of this study was to develop a survey instrument to facilitate the examination of interactions of constraints to sport participation among adolescent girls, and to verify the survey's validity. Two theoretical frameworks were combined to guide the survey development. Newell's model of constraints was used to categorize constraints, into environmental, individual and task constraints.The 40 Developmental Assets Profile was used to index the constraints into broader categories within each constraint type. In total, 51 constraints were sorted into the combined frameworks which developed an 81-question survey. An expert panel was consulted to review for construct and content validity. This study has contributed a new survey instrument to the literature on constraints to sport participation. When used in different locations globally, the survey has the potential to reveal the most salient constraints, as well as build capacity for research to better inform future interventions and promote further discussions regarding sport.