title: Psychometrically improved, abbreviated versions of three classic measures of impulsivity and self-control.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Meghan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Morean
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: DeMartini
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Leeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Godfrey D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Pearlson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anticevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Suchitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishnan-Sarin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Krystal
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Stephanie S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: O'Malley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult