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Multistudy Report

Measuring Self-Control in International Large-Scale Surveys

Development and Validation of a Four-Item Scale in English, French, German, Japanese, Polish, and Spanish

Published Online:November 25, 2020https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000618

Abstract

Abstract. Self-control – that is, the ability to control impulses, emotions, or actions in order to achieve goals – is associated with a broad range of positive life outcomes, such as educational attainment and health. The present study describes the development and validation of a four-item self-control scale in English, French, German, Japanese, Polish, and Spanish. We used a sample comprising 973 survey respondents from the United States to select the scale items, and a sample comprising 5,557 respondents from six countries to validate the short scale. Results suggest that with just four items, self-control can be measured in a valid, partially scalar invariant, and time-efficient way, and can be adjusted for acquiescence.

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