Abstract
The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is one of the most used and easily administered self-report measures of impulsive traits. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the shorter SUPPS-P scale among a school sample of 470 youth (Mage = 15.89 years, SD = 1.00) from Portugal, subdivided into males (n = 257, Mage = 15.97 years, SD = 0.98) and females (n = 213, Mage = 15.79 years, SD = 1.03). Confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that the latent five-factor structure (i.e., Negative urgency, Lack of perseverance, Lack of premeditation, Sensation seeking, and Positive urgency) obtained adequate fit and strong measurement invariance demonstrated across sex. The SUPPS-P scale also demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, discriminant and convergent (e.g., with measures of youth delinquency, aggression) validities, and criterion-related validity (e.g., with crime seriousness). Findings support the use of the SUPPS-P scale in youth. Given the importance of adolescence as a critical period characterized by increases in impulsive behaviors, having a short, valid, reliable, and easily administered assessment of impulsive tendencies is important and clinically impactful.
Highlights
Adolescence is the developmental time period most characterized by an increase in impulsive behavior [1,2]
We began our examination of the SUPPS-P focusing on its latent factor structure
The current study was the first to examine the SUPPS-P among a school sample of Portuguese youth, while testing for measurement invariance across males and females
Summary
Adolescence is the developmental time period most characterized by an increase in impulsive behavior [1,2]. Adolescents are more vulnerable to engaging in harmful risk-taking behaviors, such as substance use, criminal activity, and unprotected sexual behavior [5]. For these reasons, having a valid measure that can quickly and accurately assess impulsive tendencies among youth allows for early identification of risk and intervention to avoid negative consequences associated with such maladaptive behaviors. The measure was created by Whiteside and Lynam [6], who used factor analysis to identify four facets of personality that influence impulsive behavior: Urgency is the tendency to act rashly when experiencing extreme negative emotion. Lack of premeditation is the tendency to act without thinking
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