Psychometric properties of the brief self-control in internet use scale in Peruvian adolescents

Abstract

Self-control in internet use is essential for adolescents’ regulation of digital behaviour in contexts of constant exposure to online stimuli. However, brief instruments specifically designed to assess this construct remain unavailable in the Peruvian context. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Brief Scale of Self-Control in Internet Use among Peruvian adolescents. An instrumental study with a non-experimental cross-sectional design was conducted with 328 female students aged 11–17 years (M = 14.2, SD = 1.60). Content validity was examined through expert judgement, and the internal structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis with the WLSMV estimator. The three-factor model, comprising self-control awareness, behavioural self-control, and emotional self-control, demonstrated excellent fit (χ²/df = 1.28, CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.993, SRMR = 0.047, RMSEA = 0.03). Internal consistency was acceptable (α = 0.690, ω = 0.710). These findings support the validity and reliability of the scale for assessing digital self-control among Peruvian adolescents. The instrument provides a brief measure for school settings, facilitating the early identification of difficulties in behavioural regulation and supporting the development of preventive and educational interventions. Future studies should examine measurement invariance and validate the scale in more diverse populations.