Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis of the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS): Reliability Evidence across Age Groups and Languages

Abstract

Objective: Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) is the most widely used instrument to assess self-control. The purpose of this reliability generalization meta-analysis was to examine the degree to which consistency reliability coefficients for scores on the BSCS generalize across age groups and languages.Method: We included studies using the BSCS and reporting a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient score since January 2018.Results: Our analysis (j = 180; k = 211) yielded an overall Cronbach’s alpha value of .81 for the unidimensional 13-item BSCS. Moderator analysis showed that reliability scores ranged from .71 to .81 across age groups and from .77 to .90 across languages.Conclusions: Though all internal consistency scores fell in either a good or acceptable range, researchers can consider using a child-specific instrument to assess self-control among children. Reliability scores were also higher in Western areas (e.g., North America) than in non-Western countries.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

This study evaluated the score reliability of the 13-item unidimensional BSCS, an instrument measuring self-control. Overall, the BSCS showed good reliability scores. However, reliability scores varied across languages and age groups.

Keywords:

• Self-control
• Brief Self-Control Scale
• reliability
• reliability generalization meta-analysis
• psychometrics

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abdulkadir Haktanir

Abdulkadir Haktanir, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Kean University. His research interests include adolescent mental health, DBT, trauma, and suicide assessment and prevention.

M. Furkan Kurnaz

M. Furkan Kurnaz, PhD-candidate, is a Research Assistant of Psychological Counseling and Guidance at Necmettin Erbakan University. His research interests include pathologic technology use, CBT, and child and adolescent mental health.

Zeynep Şimşir Gökalp

Zeynep imir Gökalp, is an Associate Professor, working at the Faculty of Education at Selcuk University. Her research interests are positive psychology, posttraumatic growth, self-control, and school counseling.