VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD THEIR PROFESSION AND EDUCATION (Q-PTSAPE)

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of Turkish version of Questionnaire for Physical Therapy Students’ Attitude toward Their Profession and Education (Q-PTSAPE). Methods: Included in this study were 488 physical therapy students. The content, construct, and known-groups validities were assessed and the cut-off value was calculated. The construct validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated for the reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The content validity index was obtained as 0.97. The construct validity was acceptable (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0.061, Comparative Fit Index=0.905, Tucker-Lewis Index=0.892, Goodness of Fit Index=0.887, Normed Fit Index=0.860). Individuals with a Q-PTSAPE-Turkish score of ≥83.5 have a positive attitude towards their profession and education (p=0.001). Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was excellent (0.90). ICC values of the questionnaire and its subdivisions were from medium to high (0.521-0.782). Conclusion: Q-PTSAPE-Turkish was valid and reliable in determining the attitudes of physiotherapy students towards the profession and vocational education.