The convergent and discriminant validity of burnout measures in sport: A multi-trait/multi-method analysis

Abstract

Athlete burnout research has been hampered by the lack of an adequate measurement tool. The Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS) are two recently developed self-report instruments designed to assess burnout. The convergent and discriminant validity of the ABQ and MBI-GS were assessed through multi-trait/multi-method analysis with a sporting population. Overall, the ABQ and the MBI-GS displayed acceptable convergent validity with matching subscales highly correlated, and satisfactory internal discriminant validity with lower correlations between non-matching subscales. Both scales also indicated an adequate discrimination between the concepts of burnout and depression. These findings add support to previous findings in non-sporting populations that depression and burnout are separate constructs. Based on the psychometric results, construct validity analysis and practical considerations, the results support the use of the ABQ to assess athlete burnout.

Validez de constructo de la versión española del ABQ a través de aproximación multi-rasgo/multi-método

“…Although Cresswell and Eklund (2006a) used a MTMM approach to provide insights on athlete burnout, their study was based on an English version of the ABQ. Given potential cultural differences, it is not apparent whether their findings would extend to translated versions of the ABQ.…”

“…Therefore, this study was designed to compare athlete responses on the Spanish version of the ABQ to another burnout measure and conceptually distinct markers of ill-being including depression, anxiety, and stress using an MTMM approach. Although Cresswell and Eklund (2006a) included anxiety and depression, we also assessed stress given its conceptual overlap with burnout. Thus, this study extends previous research by evaluating the nature of burnout in a different culture than from which the original ABQ was developed and also evaluates whether stress and burnout can be differentiated in athletic populations.…”

Factors affecting the recovery-stress, burnout and mood state scores of elite student rugby players

“…For this study, the ABQ was adapted to be specific for the rugby population through minor word substitution (i.e., changing the word "sports" to "rugby") as was done by Creswell and Eklund (2006a;2006b) in their studies on New Zealand rugby players. Participants responded to individual items on a five-point Likert-type scale anchored by descriptors ranging from "Almost never" [1] to "Most of the time" [5].…”

Propriedades psicométricas do Athlete Burnout Questionnaire para uso em atletas jovens Brasileiros

“…Com relação aos diferentes indicadores de validação, informações produzidas originalmente quando da proposição do instrumento são confirmadas por outros estudos 15,16 , apontando, portanto, seu potencial para análise de burnout em atletas. O ABQ foi originalmente idealizado em língua inglesa; porém, vem sendo traduzido, adaptado e validado para uso em vários outros idiomas, como é o caso de alemão 17 , árabe 18 , chinês 19 , espanhol 20 , francês 6 , norueguês 21 , português europeu 22 e sueco 23 , o que permite a expansão de sua utilização para outras culturas.…”