Translation and validation of an extended German-language version of the Perceived Locus of Causality Questionnaire (PLOCQ-G) in a sample of physical education students

Abstract

The aims of this study were to translate and validate an extended German-language version of the Perceived Locus of Causality Questionnaire (PLOCQ), a questionnaire that assesses behavioural regulations in the physical education (PE) context. Items assessing integrated regulation were added given that the original PLOCQ omits this factor. The sample consisted of 223 students from different German secondary schools. Psychometric analyses provided support for the six factors and 24-item model. Inter-correlations among the factors predominantly mirrored a simplex-like structure, except for the correlations between introjected and identified regulation and integrated regulation and its adjacent forms of regulation. Construct validity was demonstrated with positive correlations between the autonomous forms of regulation on the one hand and task orientation, perceived competence, and enjoyment on the other. Overall, this study showed that the PLOCQ‑G with six factors and 24 items has good psychometric properties and can be used to assess behavioural regulations in German PE students.