The Belief in Personal Control Scale: A Measure of God-Mediated and Exaggerated Control

Abstract

Combining and extending previous conceptions of the construct of perceived control, a self-report measure based on a proposed multidimensional model was developed and validated. The Belief in Personal Control Scale (BPCS), measures of locus of control, depression, mania, anxiety, self-esteem, and social desirability were administered to several samples. A factor analysis revealed three interpretable components of the control construct: a general External Control factor, an Exaggerated Internal Control factor, and a God-Mediated Control factor. The results of this article provide preliminary support for the model and for the BPCS as a multidimensional measure of perceived control with reliable and valid subscales. Consistent with the proposed model of control, the three factors correlated differentially with the various measures of psychological adjustment. Of particular interest is the positive correlation between the Exaggerated Internal Control factor and a measure of mania.

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“…Some older people cope with diminishing age-related resources by relying on God-mediated control (Berrenberg, 1987). Although it is hard to find a good definition of God-mediated control, this construct is based on the notion that problems in life can be overcome by turning things over to God.…”

Spiritual Turning Points and Perceived Control over the Life Course

“…In fact, especially in the context of spiritual turning points, a dependence on God may improve one's personal sense of control and thereby improve psychological outcomes. Berrenberg (1987) has examined the relationship between God and control. His Personal Control Scale (BPCS) includes a distinction between internal and external locus of control and proposes the existence of mediated control.…”

Relational processes in prayer : a reflection of the effects of culture on religious experience.

“…Some theorists proposed that the dichotomy of internal versus external locus of control was too limiting and that a God-mediated locus of control may better explain religious individuals' attributional styles (Berrenberg, 1987a). Some researchers explain the benefits of religiosity are due to a relationship between personal control, and religious belief and practice (Krause & Tran, 1989;Saudia, Kinny, Young-Ward, & Brown, 1991;Shrauger & Silverman, 1971).…”

“…In other words, an individual has an indirect control over their world vicariously through their alliance with God. They believe that they have power over outcomes inasmuch as God can be enlisted to aid in achieving those outcomes (Berrenberg, 1987a). Though they may not have control themselves, they believe that God does, and God can help them.…”

“…This instrument consists of 45 5-point Likert scale items describing the degree to which an individual believes a statement is true (Berrenberg, 1987a). The BPCS-RS is a short form based on the Belief in Personal Control Scale (BPCS; Berrenberg, 1987b) which measures three factors of personal control: a belief in general external control, an exaggerated belief in personal control, and a belief in God-mediated control.…”