Psychometric validation of the risk propensity scale among Chinese young people

The Risk Propensity Scale (RPS) is a brief, effective measure of general risk propensity, but its psychometric properties have not been examined in Chinese populations. To address this gap, we evaluated the Chinese version of the RPS (RPS-C) among 1,162 young participants across two studies. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor solution consisting of five items. The RPS-C exhibited good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, indicating its stability over time and consistency in measuring risk propensity. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis supported the single-factor structure, demonstrating satisfactory construct validity. To establish its validity in relation to similar concepts, the RPS-C was compared with related constructs such as domain-specific risk-taking, risk preference, and risky behavior, demonstrating good convergent and concurrent validity. Importantly, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that metric, scalar, and strict measurement invariance were maintained across gender, ensuring the scale’s applicability to both males and females. Our studies provide strong evidence for the robust psychometric properties of the RPS-C in Chinese young people, offering a reliable and valid measure for assessing individual general risk propensity.