Development and evidence based on test content for the Locus of Control Scale (ELOCUS)

Abstract

Locus of control is understood as the perception of how an individual establishes control over their actions in search of a satisfactory outcome, and it is divided into internal and external. However, the construct has a vast tradition in psychological research and presents several scales, of which gaps can be pointed out, such as instability in the number of factors in the construct. In this sense, we developed the Locus of Control Scale (ELOCUS), which assesses generalized expectations of control in adults. The objective was to present validity evidence based on the content of the constructed items. For the item’s elaboration, we carried out a theoretical review on the subject, which originated the ELOCUS with 82 items, divided into two factors and nine facets, four of which represent the internal locus of control and five of the external. The items were first evaluated by judges with experience in instrument construction (80.5% absolute agreement for clarity and 61.0% for coherence and Gwet AC1 of 0.881 for clarity and 0.736 for coherence) and, subsequently, in a pilot study with a sample of representatives of the target audience for semantic adjustments. After analysis, the finalized instrument had 69 items and indicated satisfactory evidence regarding the content of the items.