Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Academic Motivation Scale in post-compulsory secondary education students

The purpose of the study was to adapt and validate the psychometric properties of the Academic Motivation Scale with post-compulsory secondary school students. The participants were 425 students, 239 from secondary education, and 186 from specialised vocational courses. The adapted Spanish secondary school version of the scale, named Secondary Academic Motivation Scale (EME-S), confirmed an oblique seven-factor structure. The results showed positive correlations between the most self-determined subscales and the variables self-esteem and academic self-concept. The reliability showed satisfactory levels of internal consistency and temporal stability. The MANOVA results showed a more self-determined profile for women and for vocational education students. Finally, these findings partially support the use of the EME-S for assessing types of motivation in post-compulsory secondary education students.