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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

Psychometric Properties of the Perceived Control Short Scale (PCSS-6): Reliability, Factor Structure, and Measurement

Judith Hirschmiller¹, Tamara Schwinn¹, Jörg Wiltink¹

¹Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie

|July 2, 2026

Summary

The Perceived Control Short Scale - 6 Items (PCSS-6) is a valid and reliable tool for measuring primary and secondary control. Higher perceived control is linked to better mental health outcomes.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

Area of Science:

Psychology
Mental Health Research
Psychometrics

Background:

Perceived control is vital for stress adaptation.
Validated instruments for primary and secondary control are limited.
The Perceived Control Short Scale - 6 Items (PCSS-6) was developed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

Validate the PCSS-6 in a German population.
Examine its psychometric properties.
Assess associations with mental health outcomes.

Main Methods:

The PCSS-6 was translated and administered to 2,513 German adults.
Psychometric properties including internal consistency and factor structure were analyzed.
Measurement invariance across demographic and clinical groups was tested.

Main Results:

The PCSS-6 demonstrated good internal consistency (McDonald's ω: 0.87-0.94).
A two-factor model distinguishing primary and secondary control showed excellent fit.
Higher primary and secondary control were associated with lower depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions:

The PCSS-6 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing primary and secondary control.
It provides comparable assessments across diverse population subgroups.
Both facets of control are relevant for mental health and may act as protective factors.