Psychometric properties of the Chinese sport emotion questionnaire (SEQ-C) among table tennis athletes in Shandong, China

Background The Sport Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ) is a reliable and valid multidimensional instrument for assessing athletes’ pre-competition emotional states. This study aimed to test the Chinese-translated version (SEQ-C) by examining pre-training emotional states of table tennis athletes, using validity and reliability analyses. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional survey design using a cluster-based sampling strategy. A total of 670 athletes aged 15–18 years from the Jining Youth Table Tennis Training Base in Jining City, Shandong Province, China, participated in the study; 656 valid responses were retained after data screening. The original English version of the SEQ was translated into Chinese and validated through expert review and pilot testing. Data were collected in September 2024 using a self-administered questionnaire administered via a mixed-mode approach (online and offline), yielding a response rate of 97.9%. Data analysis included a common method bias test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Model fit was evaluated using the standardized root mean square residual (SRMR), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), and comparative fit index (CFI). Construct validity was assessed using composite reliability (CR), average variance extracted (AVE), and inter-factor correlations. The study adhered to ethical research standards and was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Results All observed items demonstrated strong factor loadings, confirming that the assumed model, consisting of 22 items grouped into five latent variables, was consistent with the original model. The CFA result indicated a good model fit, as reflected by fit indices: RMSEA = 0.042 (90% CI: 0.037, 0.048), SRMR = 0.026, CFI = 0.971, TLI = 0.966. Conclusion The final measurement model retained all 22 items, each deemed acceptable for the target sample. The findings suggest that the SEQ-C is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the pre-training emotional states of table tennis athletes in Shandong Province, China. Researchers, sport psychologists, and coaches can adopt the SEQ-C framework to effectively capture the unique emotional experiences of Chinese-speaking athletes, thereby providing valuable insights for emotional regulation strategies and psychological interventions within sports settings.