Further examination of the psychometric properties of the Brief Self-Control Scale: evidence from Chinese athletes and students

The current study evaluated the construct validity, internal consistency reliability, discriminant, and concurrent validities, along with the measurement invariance of the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) among 1,216 Chinese participants, including 241 adult athletes, 412 adolescent athletes, 253 adult students, and 310 adolescent students. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) supported the construct validity of the 8-item two-dimensional BSCS model, combining restraint and non-impulsivity. Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability coefficients supported the internal-consistency reliability of the 8-item two-dimensional BSCS. Multi-group CFAs demonstrated the 8-item two-dimensional BSCS to be invariant at both configural and metric levels for all samples. Moreover, the restraint and non-impulsivity subscales exhibited discriminant validity and were also distinct from the conceptually related conscientiousness construct. Finally, it was revealed that the restraint component was positively associated with optimal sports performance of both adult and adolescent athletes, while non-impulsivity was only positively correlated to that of adolescent athletes. Both BSCS components had a positive association with academic performance of adolescent students. In conclusion, the 8-item two-dimensional BSCS is verified to be a reliable and valid measurement of trait self-control in Chinese athletes and students.