Escala de autocontrole: adaptação brasileira e evidências de validade de construto

Abstract

The current research aimed to adapt the Self-Control Scale (SCS) to the Brazilian context, jointing evidence for its factorial validity and reliability. A study was conducted in João Pessoa (Paraíba, Brazil), with 244 high school and primary school students from public and private schools. The sample was composed mainly by females, with ages ranging from 12 to 42 years, single and Catholics. Participants answered the SCS and demographic questions. A Principal Components Analysis was performed (varimax rotation), indicating the existence of six factors, accounting for 59.5% of the total variance. The internal consistency of the factors (Cronbach’s alpha) presented values ranging from 0.62 to 0.82, considered acceptable. It was concluded this version can be adequately used for research in the context where it was adapted, showing evidence of construct validity. Nevertheless, new studies have been suggested, checking its factorial invariance and explicative power with respect to socially deviant behaviors.