Psychometric properties of the UPPS-P in Chilean adolescents and adults in treatment

Abstract

The UPPS-P impulsivity scale has been used extensively to examine the association of impulsivity facets with psychiatric disorders, including substance use and related problems. However, it is still unclear if the original five-factor conceptualization of impulsivity constitutes the best model of its factor structure. The current study developed an adaptation of the original 59-item version of the UPPS-P for use with Chilean population and examined its factor structure in general-population adolescents (N = 838) and adults in substance use treatment (N = 316). Results indicated that all models had poor fit to the data, but Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling yielded 3-factor and hierarchical models that were adequate in capturing the underlying structure of the UPPS-P. Both the unidimensional and bifactor models were discarded, indicating that a general impulsivity factor is not supported, reinforcing the heterogenous nature of impulsivity as a construct. In addition, associations of UPPS-P facets with substance use-related problems suggest that it might be useful in clinical populations.