Construction and validation of a sensation seeking scale for adolescents

Abstract

The Sensation Seeking Scale devised by Zuckerman focuses on the need for new and varied sensations through disinhibited behaviour, dangerous sporting activities, a non-conventional lifestyle and a rejection of monotony. The purpose of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the French abbreviated form of the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) ( Zuckerman et al., 1978) over a three-year period, studying a cross-section of high school students (in the last three years of high school, aged 16–8) and to develop a new version of the scale for adolescents. The results showed three factors in the first year and this factorial structure remained stable in the assessments of the next two years. Using a solution with three factors, the Sensation Seeking Scale for Adolescents (SSSA) was drawn up. Two dimensions of the SSS were kept: Disinhibition (Dis) and Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS). The new dimension is Non-conformism (NC). The discussion will examine the validity of this tool for adolescence, an age for seeking new sensations by taking risks and consuming psychoactive substances.