JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY, 1996, 18, 17-35 O 1996 Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc. Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Optimal Experience: The Flow State Scale Susan A. Jackson Herbert W. Marsh University of Queensland University of Western Sydney, Macarthur The Flow State Scale (FSS) is a new measure of flow in sport and physical activity settings. The nine FSS scales of the 36-item instrument represent the dimensions of flow discussed by Csikszentmihalyi (1990, 1993), and each scale is measured by four items. Development of items was based on (a) past research with flow state both within and outside of sport settings, (b) qualitative analysis of interviews with elite athletes, and (c) quantitative analyses conducted in the present investigation. Internal consistency estimates for the nine FSS scales were reasonable (alpha M = 3 3 ) for administration of the scale to 394 athletes. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the nine scales. Consistent with the theoretical basis of the FSS, there was also support for a hierarchical model in which one global (higher order) flow factor explained correlations among the nine first-order FSS factors. Suggestions for use of the scale and for further research are discussed. Key words: flow research, scale development, confirmatory factor analysis, construct validity The flow state, a positive experiential state, occurs when the performer is totally connected to the performance, in a situation where personal skills equal required challenges. It is a state aspired to by elite athletes (Jackson, 1992, in press), but also one that can be enjoyed by any level of sport participant (Csikszentmihalyi, 1992; Stein, Kimiecik, Daniels, & Jackson, 1995). Research of flow has lagged behind experiential awareness of the state due to the inherent difficulties of applying empirical methods to phenomenological experiences. Due to the importance of flow state to concepts such as motivation, peak performance, peak experience, and enjoyment, attempts to develop ways of assessing flow in sport and activity settings are warranted. This investigation was designed to Susan A. Jackson is with the Departments of Human Movement Studies and Psychol- ogy at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. Herbert W. Marsh is with the University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, P.O. Box 555, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.