Self-rated impulsivity in healthy individuals, substance use disorder and ADHD: psychometric properties of the Swedish Barratt impulsiveness scale

Background Impulsivity is associated with several psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders (SUD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A widely used questionnaire to assess impulsivity is the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and the aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the BIS (swe-BIS). Methods The original BIS was translated to Swedish and back-translated by an authorized translator. The swe-BIS was administered to healthy controls (n = 113), patients with alcohol use disorder (n = 97), amphetamine use disorder (n = 37) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD; n = 26). A subset of subjects (n = 62) completed the swe-BIS twice within 1 week. Psychometric evaluation of the swe-BIS included assessment of different indices of reliability (internal consistency, test-retest and agreement) and validity (response processess, divergent and convergent). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to assess several indices of model fit in five different models based on previously suggested subscales. Results Cronbach’s alpha for all swe-BIS items in the full sample was 0.89, ranging from 0.78–0.87 within the different subgroups. The Pearson test-retest correlation for total score was 0.78 (p < 0.001), with greater test-retest correlations within compared to across different subscales. The Bland-Altman plot indicated high level of agreement between test and retest. The healthy individuals had lower swe-BIS score compared to the patients (t(267.3) = − 8.6; p < 0.001), and the swe-BIS total score was also significantly different between each of the four participant groups (p < 0.01 for all group comparisons). Furthermore, swe-BIS had greater correlations with impulsivity related scales compared to non-impulsivity related scales. The CFA analyses indicated that while no suggested model showed an optimal fit, the best model fit indices was found for the 3-factor model. Conclusions The swe-BIS was found to have good to excellent psychometric properties with respect to the assessed indices of reliability and validity, supporting use of the scale in clinical research in both healthy individuals and patients with SUD and ADHD.

Measuring Impulsivity in Greek Adults: Psychometric Properties of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and Impulsive Behavior Scale (Short Version of UPPS-P)

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to validate the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11th version) scale as well as the short version of the Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) in a population of Greek young adults. Secondly, we aimed at validating the BIS-11 in older adults. Methods: 167 (Group 1) university students completed the Greek version of the BIS-11 (BIS-11-G) and the UPPS (UPPS-P-G) scales. Additionally, BIS-11-G was also administered to 167 (Group 2) cognitively intact older adults, to identify whether it could be used to measure impulsivity in an older adult population. Results: Both scales had satisfactory internal reliability and test–retest reliability, as well as convergent validity in the young adult population. In regard to the factor structure, a principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two factors for the BIS-11-G in the young adult population and three factors in older adults, as well as three factors for the short UPPS-P-G in young adults. Conclusions: The BIS-11-G and the UPPS-P-G scales can be used to measure different aspects of impulsivity in the Greek population of different ages in research and clinical practice.

Presión percibida para el consumo de alcohol y variables de resistencia en la adolescencia

La adolescencia es una etapa caracterizada por la experimentación de cambios y nuevas experiencias que, a veces, pasan a ser conductas de riesgo, tales como el consumo de alcohol. Actualmente, la implicación de los adolescentes en este tipo de experiencias va en aumento, generando consecuencias negativas en el desarrollo del adolescente. Alguno de los factores que promueve el inicio en el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas es la presión percibida por el grupo de iguales hacia el consumo. Por tanto, los objetivos del presente estudio son analizar la asociación entre diferentes variables individuales como la autoestima, la impulsividad, la sensibilidad a la ansiedad y las expectativas hacia el consumo de alcohol, así como su implicación en la resistencia a la presión percibida para consumir alcohol en una muestra de 1.287 alumnos con edades comprendidas entre 14 y 18 años. Para ello, se utilizó el Cuestionario Resistencia a la Presión de Grupo en el Consumo de Alcohol, Cuestionario de Expectativas del Alcohol en Adolescentes, Anxiety Sensitivity Index–3, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale y Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11-A. Los resultados mostraron la existencia de asociaciones positivas entre la presión percibida y las expectativas positivas hacia el consumo, la sensibilidad a la ansiedad física, cognitiva y social y con la impulsividad general. De este modo, es importante seguir con esta línea de investigación y desarrollar estrategias de intervención innovadoras, con el objetivo de reducir las conductas de riesgo en los adolescentes.

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 in Community and Incarcerated Samples: Motor and Nonplanning Impulsivity Effects on Criminal Recidivism

Although the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess impulsivity, its factor structure remains controversial. Several authors have suggested that cultural factors may have an impact on its factor structure. It is also necessary to study the measurement invariance of the scale in different populations, especially in the case of incarcerated individuals, given their high level of impulsivity. This study had two objectives: (a) to evaluate the factor structure of the BIS-11 and its measurement invariance across community and incarcerated samples and (b) to evaluate the effect of impulsiveness on criminal recidivism. The results revealed a two-factor structure: Motor and Nonplanning Impulsivity. This solution was invariant across groups. In addition, increased Motor Impulsivity was related to higher criminal recidivism through an increase in aggression. These results corroborate the importance of implementing interventions to reduce impulsivity as a means of preventing recidivism.