The Construct Validity of the Russian Version of the Modified Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) among Elementary and Middle School Children

Background . Th e Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) is a useful self-report measure of academic motivation grounded in self-determination theory (E. Deci & R. Ryan). Objective . Th e aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of the Russian version of the SRQ-A by reporting psychometric properties, examining the factorial structure of the SRQ-A, and assessing its construct validity in a large sample of primary and middle school children. Design . To validate the Russian version of the SRQ-A, two cross-sectional studies were conducted, one with primary school children, and the second with middle school children. Results . We developed and tested the Russian version of the SRQ-A on a sample of 1215 children, Grades 3–7, from three primary and three secondary (middle) schools in Russia. Th e multidimensional factorial structure of the original measure was tested with bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (B-ESEM) and con fi rmatory factor analysis (CFA). Construct validity was tested using correlational analyses with convergent and divergent measures. Th e SRQ-A showed good internal consistency for all subscales, with Cronbach’s α ranging between 0.65 and 0.77 for the primary school children (Study 1), and 0.74 and 0.82 in a sample from the middle school children (Study 2). In both studies a simplex-structure pattern was con fi rmed, and the CFA model, with seven fi rst-order factors and two second-order factors for intrinsic regulation and extrinsic regulation, had an acceptable fi t. Th e results of both studies demonstrate that the subscales show good convergent and discriminant validity with respect to basic psychological needs, attitudes toward school, school well-being, and general well-being scales. Conclusion . In sum, the 26-item Russian SRQ-A is a reliable and valid self-report instrument for the assessment of self-determined types of motivation for primary and middle school children.