TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychometrically improved, abbreviated versions of three classic measures of impulsivity and self-control
AU - Morean, Meghan E.
AU - DeMartini, Kelly S.
AU - Leeman, Robert F.
AU - Pearlson, Godfrey D.
AU - Anticevic, Alan
AU - Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra
AU - Krystal, John H.
AU - O'Malley, Stephanie S.
PY - 2014/9
Y1 - 2014/9
N2 - Self-reported impulsivity confers risk factor for substance abuse. However, the psychometric properties of many self-report impulsivity measures have been questioned, thereby undermining the interpretability of study findings using these measures. To better understand these measurement limitations and to suggest a path to assessing self-reported impulsivity with greater psychometric stability, we conducted a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Scales (BIS/BAS), and the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) using data from 1,449 individuals who participated in substance use research. For each measure, we evaluated (a) latent factor structure, (b) measurement invariance, (c) test-criterion relationships between the measures, and (d) test-criterion relations with drinking and smoking outcomes. Notably, we could not replicate the originally published latent structure for the BIS, BIS/BAS, or BSCS or any previously published alternative factor structure (English language). Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, we identified psychometrically improved, abbreviated versions of each measure: 8-item, 2-factor BIS-11 (root-mean-square error of approximation [RMSEA] =.06, comparative fit index [CFI] =.95); 13-item, 4-factor BIS/BAS (RMSEA =.04, CFI =.96); and 7-item, 2-factor BSCS (RMSEA =.05, CFI =.96). These versions evidenced (a) stable, replicable factor structures, (b) scalar measurement invariance, ensuring our ability to make statistically interpretable comparisons across subgroups of interest (e.g., sex, race, drinking/smoking status), and (c) test-criterion relationships with each other and with drinking/ smoking. This study provides strong support for using these psychometrically improved impulsivity measures, which improve data quality directly through better scale properties and indirectly through reducing response burden.
AB - Self-reported impulsivity confers risk factor for substance abuse. However, the psychometric properties of many self-report impulsivity measures have been questioned, thereby undermining the interpretability of study findings using these measures. To better understand these measurement limitations and to suggest a path to assessing self-reported impulsivity with greater psychometric stability, we conducted a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Scales (BIS/BAS), and the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) using data from 1,449 individuals who participated in substance use research. For each measure, we evaluated (a) latent factor structure, (b) measurement invariance, (c) test-criterion relationships between the measures, and (d) test-criterion relations with drinking and smoking outcomes. Notably, we could not replicate the originally published latent structure for the BIS, BIS/BAS, or BSCS or any previously published alternative factor structure (English language). Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, we identified psychometrically improved, abbreviated versions of each measure: 8-item, 2-factor BIS-11 (root-mean-square error of approximation [RMSEA] =.06, comparative fit index [CFI] =.95); 13-item, 4-factor BIS/BAS (RMSEA =.04, CFI =.96); and 7-item, 2-factor BSCS (RMSEA =.05, CFI =.96). These versions evidenced (a) stable, replicable factor structures, (b) scalar measurement invariance, ensuring our ability to make statistically interpretable comparisons across subgroups of interest (e.g., sex, race, drinking/smoking status), and (c) test-criterion relationships with each other and with drinking/ smoking. This study provides strong support for using these psychometrically improved impulsivity measures, which improve data quality directly through better scale properties and indirectly through reducing response burden.
KW - Barratt impulsiveness scale
KW - Behavioral inhibition and activation scales
KW - Brief self-control scale
KW - Impulsivity
KW - Psychometric validation
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U2 - 10.1037/pas0000003
DO - 10.1037/pas0000003
M3 - Article
C2 - 24885848
AN - SCOPUS:84906856669
SN - 1040-3590
VL - 26
SP - 1003
EP - 1020
JO - Psychological Assessment
JF - Psychological Assessment
IS - 3
ER -