Structure of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory Self-Restraint scale and its relation to problem behaviors in adolescence

Psychol Assess. 2000 Dec;12(4):394-401.

Abstract

The authors examined the structure of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI) Self-Restraint scale in derivation (n = 1,286) and cross-validation (n = 1,154) samples of mostly African American 6th graders in 3 urban schools. Four models were compared: (a) a 1-factor model; (b) a hierarchical model in which factors representing Impulse Control, Suppression of Aggression, Responsibility, and Consideration of Others were subsumed by a higher order factor; (c) a model that represented these 4 factors as correlated but distinct constructs; and (d) a model that excluded Consideration of Others from the higher order factor. Consistent support was found for the last model based on confirmatory factor analyses and latent-variable analyses examining the relations among self-restraint scales, drug use, delinquency, and aggression. These findings have implications for using the WAI, particularly in studies of adolescent problem behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychosocial Deprivation
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Urban Population