Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Autotelic Personality Questionnaire

Abstract

Flow theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding intrinsically rewarding experiences, yet individuals differ markedly in their propensity to experience flow across situations. To explain these differences, the construct of autotelic personality has been proposed, referring to a dispositional configuration of motivational and attentional characteristics that facilitate deep engagement in activities. The present study aimed to adapt and validate the Autotelic Personality Questionnaire (APQ) for the Portuguese context. A total of 915 Portuguese adults completed the Portuguese version of the APQ along with measures of dispositional flow, personality traits, positive mental health, and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analyses did not support the original second-order structure; instead, a first-order model with seven correlated factors demonstrated adequate fit. Bifactor analyses indicated that the use of a global score was not justified, supporting a multidimensional interpretation of autotelic personality. The Portuguese APQ showed adequate to excellent reliability across all subscales and evidence of configural, metric, and scalar invariance across educational groups. Known-groups validity analyses revealed small but meaningful differences according to educational attainment. Convergent and divergent validity were supported through theoretically consistent associations with flow proneness, personality traits, well-being, and distress. Overall, the findings support the psychometric adequacy of the Portuguese APQ and reinforce the conceptualization of autotelic personality as a multidimensional motivational–attentional system, with implications for applied research in positive psychology.