Self-handicapping scale : evaluation of psychometric properties among Malaysian and Indonesian university students using Rasch rating scale model analysis

Abstract

Self-handicapping is a self-defeating behaviour that is commonly adopted by university students prior to performance evaluation for which poor performance might reflect negatively on oneself. This maladaptive coping strategy tends to occur in competitive situations and may lead to academic underachievement. The Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS) is being adopted worldwide to measure students’ proclivity in making use of selfhandicapping strategies. Originality: This instrument was first tested in the United States, but its psychometric properties have yet to be evaluated in Malaysia and Indonesia. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of SHS in Malaysian and Indonesian university students’ populations using the Rasch Rating Scale Model. Methodology: Specifically, the persons’ and items’ reliability and separation, rating scale’s functionality, unidimensionality, item targeting, item quality, and item bias were evaluated using Winstep 4.8.1.0 on a sample of 318 Malaysian and 470 Indonesian university students. Findings: Both samples show good unidimensional measures. In terms of certain psychometric attributes, the Indonesian and Malaysian samples have relatively similar qualities. The adoption of SHS in measuring the self-handicapping tendency indicates the scale works well for both Indonesian and Malaysian samples. Implications: The findings allow researchers in Malaysia and Indonesia to confidently use the SHS to measure selfhandicapping behaviours among university students. This will then enable the design and implementation of a comprehensive intervention programme aimed at reducing selfhandicapping and improving the psychological well-being of these future change agents.