Further psychometric evaluation of the Japanese version of an academic self-concept scale

In the present study, the author replicated earlier research (Paik & Michael, 1999) seeking additional information on the reliability and construct validity of a Japanese academic self-concept scale, a 70-item questionnaire comprising 5 subscales (Aspiration, Anxiety, Academic Interest and Satisfaction, Leadership and Initiative, and Identification vs. Alienation). A sample of 196 Japanese high school students completed the scale. Internal consistency reliability for the 5 subscales ranged from .75 to .87. Confirmatory factor analyses performed on several alternative models showed that the a priori 5-factor model fit the observed data best-a finding consistent with the previous study. Results of Z tests revealed statistically significant score differences between genders and between high and low academic achievers.