Cynthia J. Thomson *, Katie L.morton **, Scott R. Carlson *** and Jim L. Rupert *
(*) School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
(**) Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK
(***) Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Citation
J. Thomson, C., L.morton, K., R. Carlson, S., L. Rupert, J. (2012). The Contextual Sensation Seeking Questionnaire for skiing and snowboarding (CSSQ-S) Development of a sport specific scale. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 43(6), 503-521. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2012.43.503
Abstract
The Contextual Sensation Seeking Questionnaire (CSSQ-S) was developed to measure patterns of sensation-seeking behaviours in skiing and snowboarding. We conducted three studies supporting several aspects of its validity. First, using a focus group (n = 4) we generated items representative of sensation seeking in skiing and explored the factor structure in a sample of skiers (n1 = 220). Second, we confirmed the factor structure using data from an independent cohort (n2 = 530). Finally, we provide evidence for criterion-relevance and applied utility of CSSQ-S scores by demonstrating positive relationships between scores and self-reported injury. CSSQ-S scores explained greater variance (n1 = 217, β = .358, p < .001) in injury prevalence than an established assessment tool (Zuckerman’s Impulsive-Sensation Seeking scale). In summary, the CSSQ-S represents a psychometrically promising measure of contextual sensation seeking and may be used to explore factors associated with risk-taking in skiing and snowboarding.
Keywords: Construct Validity, ImpSS, Risky behaviour, Sport injury