Psychometric Properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – II for Taiwanese College Students and Elite Athletes

The aim of this study was to validate the Taiwanese version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) using a population that consisted of college students and athletes. The authors conducted three independent studies to examine the psychometric properties of the AAQ-II. Study 1 examined the validity of the AAQ-II in a sample of undergraduate students. Study 2 examined the group invariance of the AAQ-II between undergraduate students and athletes. Study 3 examined nomological validity by testing the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived autonomy support and well−/ill-being indicators. Overall, the results of the confirmatory factor analyses conducted in Study 1 demonstrated the existence of a unidimensional AAQ-II. AAQ-II was positively correlated with depression. The internal consistency of the scale was 0.81. In Study 2, factorial invariance of the AAQ-II was demonstrated across undergraduate students and adolescent athletes. Study 3 showed that perceived autonomy support was related to both depression and negative emotion through experiential avoidance. However, experiential avoidance did not mediate the relationship between perceived autonomy support and positive emotion and life satisfaction. In summary, this study provided preliminary evidence to support the validity and reliability of the AAQ-II and opened a new avenue for cross-cultural researchers.