Trait Self-Control and Self-Discipline: Structure, Validity, and Invariance Across National Groups

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the validity of the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS; Tangney, Baumeister and Boone 2004) including its dimensional structure based on competing one- and two-factor models, discriminant validity from the conceptually-related self-discipline construct, invariance across multiple samples from different national groups, and predictive validity with respect to health-related behaviors. Samples of undergraduate students (total N = 1282) from four national groups completed the brief self-control scale, the self-discipline scale from the NEO-PI-R, and self-report measures of binge drinking, exercise, and healthy eating. Confirmatory factor analytic models supported a two-factor structure of self-control encompassing restraint and non-impulsivity components. The model exhibited good fit in all samples and invariance of factor loadings in multi-sample analysis. The restraint and non-impulsivity components exhibited discriminant validity and were also distinct from self-discipline. Structural equation models revealed that non-impulsivity predicted binge drinking in three of the samples, and restraint predicted exercise in two samples, with no role for self-discipline. Results point to a multi-dimensional structure for trait self-control consistent with previous theory separating impulsive- and control-related components.

Trait Self‐Control, Social Cognition Constructs, and Intentions: Correlational Evidence for Mediation and Moderation Effects in Diverse Health Behaviours

“…One possibility is that self‐control and self‐discipline may be more related to behaviours where capacity for inhibition of impulsive responses is most salient, and industriousness and activity sub‐facets are more relevant to behaviours requiring sustained effort. This is consistent with recent work distinguishing between initiation and inhibition components of trait self‐control (Hagger et al., ; Maloney, Grawitch, & Barber, ; de Ridder, de Boer, Lugtig, Bakker, & van Hooft, ). We did not find evidence for this selective pattern of effects in our current study, but we did not adopt a multi‐component approach.…”

“…Although trait self‐control is also likely to be related to other sub‐facets such as industriousness and activity, research suggests that they may predict different behaviours. For example, the industriousness and activity facets have been shown to be uniquely related to the social cognition antecedents of physical activity and the behaviour itself (Hoyt et al., ; Vo & Bogg, ), while self‐discipline has been shown to be related to impulse‐related behaviours (Hagger et al., ).…”

“…While most measures of the study constructs used across samples in the present study were almost identical, there were variations; for example, in Sample 1, we used measures of outcome evaluations and self‐efficacy, and in Sample 5 we used a measure of self‐discipline rather than trait self‐control. While these constructs demonstrate good convergence at the conceptual level (Hagger et al., ; Protogerou, Johnson, & Hagger, ), differences in measures still have the potential to contribute to error variance. Further direct replication of the effects tested in the current study using identical measures is advocated to verify their robustness.…”

“…Individuals with “good” self‐control demonstrate superior capability in suppressing impulse‐driven responses in favour of goal‐directed actions aimed at attaining long‐term outcomes across behaviours and contexts (Fishbach, Friedman, & Kruglanski, ; de Ridder et al., ). As with many constructs in social psychology (Hagger, ), self‐control has conceptual similarities with other constructs related to perseverance, particularly the self‐discipline component of conscientiousness trait, an overlap that has been corroborated empirically (Hagger et al., ). Research indicates that trait self‐control is a correlate of many health behaviours and adaptive health outcomes (Bogg, Lasecki, & Vo, ; Hoyt et al., ; de Ridder et al., ; Tangney et al., ).…”

Predictors of School Students’ Leisure-Time Physical Activity: An Extended Trans-Contextual Model Using Bayesian Path Analysis

“…Students' trait self-control was measured using the 10-item Self-Discipline Scale (e.g., "I tend to carry out my plans") from the IPIP-HEXACO scales [66] with responses provided on four-point scales (1 = not like me at all and 4 = very much like me). Research has demonstrated the internal consistency and predictive validity of this scale in school contexts [67]. [64].…”