The factor structure of the multidimensional measure of children’s perceptions of control

This paper reports on the factor structure of Connell’s (1985) Multidimensional Measure of Children’s Perception of Control with a sample (N=688) of primary school aged children. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the three sources of control proposed by Connell (1985), namely internal, unknown and powerful others, were evident in this sample of children in the general and physical domains. The factor structure of the subscales measuring perceptions of control in the social and cognitive did not replicate Connell’s proposed model. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a four and five factor solution in the social and cognitive domains, respectively. Evidence of some coherence between items from the original subscales was shown, although internal attributions for success and failure appeared to split in these domains. The domain and the source of control to which children attribute event outcomes can therefore be said to be the most important organising factor in determining children’s perceptions of control.