Psychometric validation and implementation of a Psychological Skills Training (PST) module for rugby coaches in Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Rugby, is a high-intensity contact sport, that places high physical and mental demands on athletes. The benefits of psychological skills training (PST) are well recognised, but Malaysia lacks a grassroots and developmental training infrastructure that integrates PST. This study aimed to develop a PST module for Malaysian rugby coaches and evaluate its primary usability and psychometric parameters. Methods: The study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional approach and purposive sampling to collect data from 109 rugby coaches in schools, communities, and teams at the state level. A 30-item questionnaire was created to assess three different constructs of usability: perceived usefulness, user satisfaction, and ease of implementation. Content and visual validation was performed by panels of experts, while reliability and structural validity were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, KMO, EFA, and CFA. Results: The instrument attained excellent internal reliability (α = 0.878), with the subscales Satisfaction (0.762) and Ease of Use (0.687) achieving acceptable thresholds. Valid sampling adequacy was established (KMO = 0.722). A six-factor EFA solution cumulatively explained 46.4% of variance, with item loadings from 0.600 to 0.770. CFA corroborated the instrument’s structural validity, confirming the psychological skill domains were distinct yet interrelated. Conclusions: The PST module captures the fundamental aspects of mental training goals, self-talk, imagery, breathing, and concentration, making it both statistically reliable and conceptually robust. Mentally, the module is reliable and assists coaches by offering an organized yet simple and research-based method to incorporate psychological preparation into training. It has theoretical implications by situating PST within Malaysian rugby, as well as practical implications for coaching and athlete development. Additional research is needed on the PST module's longitudinal effects, cross-cultural adaptations, and digital accessibility.