Resumen:
Background: The Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) is an instrument employed to
measure the generalized ability to regulate behavior. Self-regulation is related to the
management of risk behaviors, such as drug abuse or anti-social behaviors. The SRQ
has been used in young adult samples. However, some risk behaviors are increasing
among adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of
the SRQ among Spanish adolescents.
Methods: 845 high-school Spanish students (N = 443; 52.43% women), from 12 to
17 years old and ranging from the first to the fourth year of studies, completed the
SRQ. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out in order to establish structural
adequacy. Then, a study of each subscale was conducted using the Rasch model
for dimensionality, adjustment of the sample questions, functionality of the response
categories, and reliability.
Results: While controlling for method effects, the data showed goodness of fit with
the four-factor solution and 17 items (Goal setting, Decision making, Learning from
mistakes, and Perseverance), and the four sub-scales were unidimensional according to
the Rasch analysis. The Rasch model itself was shown to be reliable, but not at the level
of persons. This means that the instrument was not sensitive enough to discriminate
people with different self-regulation levels.
Discussion: These results support the use of the Spanish Short SRQ in adolescent
samples. Some suggestions are made to improve the instrument, particularly in its
application as a diagnostic tool.
