Test of sensation seeking in a Chinese sample

Abstract

Zuckerman’s sensation seeking scales (Form V, 40 items) which were slightly modified in a French study with high loading items [Carton, S., Jouvent, R., & Widlocher, D. (1992). Cross-cultural validity of the sensation seeking scale: development of a French abbreviated form. European Psychiatry, 7 , 225–234] were tried in a Chinese speaking area. Three hundred and twenty-two healthy subjects (204 women and 118 men) with a wide range of occupations attended this study and were divided into five age ranges. The principal component analysis detected 14 factors (components) with eigenvalues larger than one, the first 4 of which accounted for 32.1% of the variance. From the fifth factor on, none accounted for more than 3.5% of the variance. Therefore, we chose the four-factor solution analysis. Most items loaded well on target factors except one on Thrill and Adventure Seeking and another on Experience Seeking. Total and subscale scores were lower than those reported in Western countries. Thrill and Adventure seeking declined with age. Men scored significantly higher in Disinhibition and Thrill and Adventure Seeking subscales in any age ranges. Higher Disinhibition seekers were between 30–39 years of age in men, but similarly distributed between 15–49 years of age in women. There were few gender differences in Experience Seeking and Boredom Susceptibility. This study demonstrates the validity of the sensation seeking scales in the Chinese culture, and confirms that gender is affected mainly on the Disinhibition and Thrill and Adventure Seeking subscales.