The Factorial Structure of Self-Regulation from Late Childhood to Adolescence: A Gender Perspective

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the factorial structure of self-regulation across three different groups (i.e. late childhood, early adolescence, and middle, adolescence) within male and female samples. Two theoretical models were tested. The first is the unidimensional model which assumes that self-regulation is a domain-general ability without clear differentiation between its components (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral). The second model implies that self-regulation is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that’s composed of cognitive emotional, and behavioral components. Objective: The current study examined the validity of the unidimensional model and the multidimensional model of self-regulation across the 3 age groups separated by gender. In addition, the study sought to identify gender differences in the factorial structure of self-regulation in children and adolescents. Materials and methods: The participants comprised 584 participants aged 8 to 19 years. They were enrolled in Elementary, middle and high schools in Egypt. The participants completed a self-regulation scale consisting of three subscales designed to evaluate emotional, cognitive, and behavioral self-regulation. Results: The results favored the multidimensional model across all different age groups. The difference between the two models was statistically significant favoring the multidimensional model over the one-factor solution. The results also revealed within genders t differences in the developmental course of self-regulation.