Validation of a short French version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale.
BACKGROUND
Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct that has a prominent role in psychiatry. Lynam et al (2006) have developed the UPPS-P, a 59-item scale measuring 5 impulsivity components: negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking. The aim of the present study was to validate a short, 20-item French version of the UPPS-P.


METHODS
Six hundred fifty participants filled out the short French UPPS-P. A subgroup of participants (n = 145) took part in a follow-up study and completed the scale twice to determine test-retest stability; another subgroup (n = 105) was screened with other questionnaires also to establish external validity.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analyses supported a hierarchical model comprising 2 higher order factors of urgency (resulting from negative urgency and positive urgency) and lack of conscientiousness (resulting from lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance) as well as a separate factor of sensation seeking. The results indicated good internal consistency and test-retest stability. External validity was supported by relationships with psychopathological symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The short French version of the UPPS-P therefore presents good psychometric properties and may be considered a promising instrument for both research and clinical practice.
Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. joel.billieux@uclouvain.be
Joël
J
Billieux
Lucien
L
Rochat
Grazia
G
Ceschi
Arnaud
A
Carré
Isabelle
I
Offerlin-Meyer
Anne-Catherine
AC
Defeldre
Yasser
Y
Khazaal
Chrystel
C
Besche-Richard
Martial
M
Van der Linden
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland