The Multidimensional Self-Control Scale (MSCS): Development and validation.

Abstract

Trait self-control is important for well-being and mental and physical health. Most extant measures of self-control are limited in that they do not account for the multidimensionality and specificity of the trait. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a multidimensional and hierarchical scale of self-control in a full and a short version. The development of the Multidimensional Self-Control Scale (MSCS) and the Brief Multidimensional Self-Control Scale (BMSCS) was based on focus groups, a pilot, a main, and a validation sample (total N = 2,409). The 29-item MSCS consists of 6 first-order factors (Procrastination, Attentional Control, Impulse Control, Emotional Control, Goal Orientation, and Self-Control Strategies), 2 second-order factors (Inhibition and Initiation), and a third-order self-control factor. The 8 items in BMSCS provides a general trait self-control score. Findings from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the structures across samples, and internal consistency was acceptable. Assessment for acquiescence and sex differences indicated no major impacts on the scales. Strong convergent validity was observed with the Self-Control Scale (SCS) and the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), as well as to other similar concepts. The MSCS subscales discriminated well between each other. Assessment of incremental validity of the MSCS over SCS, when controlling for sex and personality, showed significant increases in explained variance when predicting habits, hardiness, and life satisfaction. Similar significant results were observed for the BMSCS over the BSCS. Overall, results indicate that the new scales are useful measures that integrate recent theoretical and empirical findings of trait self-control.

Moralizing mental states: The role of trait self-control and control perceptions

“…They thereby buttress recent findings and theorizing on the complex processes underlying high TSC individuals' achievements (e.g., Duckworth et al, 2016;Fujita, 2011;Gillebaart & de Ridder, 2015;Hofmann & Kotabe, 2012;Katzir et al, 2021;Nilsen et al, 2020).…”

“…A recent neuroimaging study found evidence that TSC was associated with some indicators of sustained and successful negative emotion down-regulation (Paschke et al, 2016). These insights are also reflected in current developments in the measurement of trait self-control which integrate multiple strategies and dimensions relating to mental control beyond behavioral inhibition and impulse control (e.g., reappraisal; attentional control; Katzir et al, 2021;Nilsen et al, 2020). Importantly, the ability for emotion-regulation seems to tie in with a sense that one is able to do so (Gross & John, 2003).…”

The role of fear of negative evaluation on the effects of self-control on affective states and life satisfaction: a moderated mediation analysis

“…Second, although the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) provides information on students’ overall self-control capacity, it does not explicitly inform us which aspects of self-control can be related to psychological health and life satisfaction (Lindner et al, 2015 ). A solution to this limitation is to adopt validated scale supporting the multi-faceted, multidimensional nature of self-control (Nilsen et al, 2020 ). Third, the number of samples collected via convenience sampling method from the university students was not large enough, and there was major unequal distribution of male and female subjects, thus findings from the present study may not be generalizable to other populations.…”

Factor analyzing ordinal items requires substantive knowledge of response marginals.

“…Let us return to the two-factor model in Figure 5 with severely non-normal marginals. Although not the recommended approach (Foldnes & Grønneberg, 2021b), cont-ML is still in wide use in empirical research (e.g., Marsh et al, 2013; Nilsen et al, 2020). This method estimates Pearson correlations directly on integer-encoded data.…”