Psychometric properties, validation, and reliability of the Japanese version of the sport anxiety scale-2 for university student athletes.

BACKGROUND

Competitive anxiety is a critical factor that affects athletes' performance and mental well-being. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) is a widely used multidimensional measure for sport-specific anxiety, but a validated Japanese version has been unavailable. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the SAS-2 and evaluate its reliability and validity among university athletes in Japan.

METHODS

After a standard back-translation process, 640 university athletes (mean age 19.1 ± 1.0 years) completed an online survey containing the Japanese SAS-2 and scales for competitive anxiety (Sport Competition Anxiety Test for Adults; SCAT-A), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9), and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; RSES). Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and 2-week test-retest reliability (n = 140). Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while criterion-related validity was established through correlations.

RESULTS

The Japanese SAS-2 demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and good test-retest reliability for the total score (ICC = 0.72). Validity was strongly supported by a high correlation with SCAT-A (r = 0.74) and expected moderate correlations with depressive symptoms (r = 0.42) and self-esteem (r = -0.41). The original three-factor structure (somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption) was supported by CFA, with marginal model fit indices (e.g., CFI = 0.884, SRMR = 0.063). Notably, total anxiety scores and all subscale scores were significantly lower among athletes with more years of competitive experience.

CONCLUSION

The Japanese version of SAS-2 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing multidimensional competitive anxiety in university athletes. The availability of this tool fills a critical gap in Japanese sports psychology, offering a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and coaches. It enables a more nuanced understanding of sport-specific anxiety, helping to identify athletes who need support, facilitate targeted interventions, and ultimately promote athlete mental health and well-being.