Psychometric Properties of a Spanish Version of the UPPS–P Impulsive Behavior Scale: Reliability, Validity and Association With Trait and Cognitive Impulsivity

Abstract

Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct central to several forms of psychopathology. Recently, Lynam, Smith, Whiteside, and Cyders (2006) developed the UPPS–P scale, a multidimensional inventory that assesses 5 personality pathways contributing to impulsive behavior: negative urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, sensation seeking, and positive urgency. In this study, we aimed (a) to analyze the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the UPPS–P scale and (b) to explore the relationship between the different dimensions of the UPPS–P scale and conceptually related constructs including trait measures derived from different models of impulsive personality (the Gray's [1987] and Plutchik's [1984] models) and a state measure of cognitive impulsivity, the Delay-Discounting Test (Kirby, Petry, & Bickel, 1999). We administered the UPPS–P scale along with the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (Torrubia, Avila, Molto, & Caseras, 2001), the Plutchik Impulsivity Scale (Plutchik & Van Praag, 1989), and the Delay-Discounting Test to a sample of 150 undergraduate students. Results showed that the Spanish adaptation of the UPPS–P scale have appropriate psychometric properties. Different dimensions of the UPPS–P were differentially associated with predicted conceptually related constructs. We conclude that the Spanish adaptation of the UPPS–P scale is a useful instrument for fine-grained assessment of impulsivity in Spanish-speaking adult population.

Notes

^a Scaling success rate represents the percent of items having a significantly higher correlation (determined by Steiger's t test for dependent correlations) with their intended scale relative to their correlation with all other UPPS–P scales.

* p < 0.01.

^a n = 141.

^b n = 149.

^c n = 149.

^d n = 150.

* p < 0.05.

** p < 0.01.