AUTHOR=Cheng Fei , Ang Mei Foong , An Yana , Li Chuan , Yu Jian 

TITLE=Reliability and validity testing of the Chinese version of the self-directed learning scale among middle school students

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1642596

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1642596

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=IntroductionThis study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Self-Directed Learning Scale (SDLS) among 979 middle school students in China.MethodsThe scale was translated and culturally adapted using Brislin’s and Beaton’s cross-cultural procedures. Analyses conducted with SPSS 29.0 and Amos 26.0 included assessments of internal consistency, content validity, and structural validity.ResultsThe SDLS demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.882; McDonald’s ω = 0.887; CR = 0.887) and excellent content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.980). Exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure (KMO = 0.895), which was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (χ2/df = 4.422, CFI = 0.951, TLI = 0.927, RMSEA = 0.084).DiscussionThe findings indicate that the Chinese SDLS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing self-directed learning in adolescents. It provides a practical tool for learner profiling and educational planning within China’s performance-oriented yet increasingly student-centered context.