Validation de la version française du questionnaire I 7 d’impulsivité. Influence de la personnalité, du sexe et de la religion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the factorial validity and internal reliability of the French version of the Eysenck’s impulsivity scale (I 7) translated by Dupont et al. in a group of Swiss students ( n = 220). Eysenck and Eysenck proposed three subscales in their questionnaire : two subscales assessing two distinct components of impulsivity ( Impulsiveness characteristic of people who act on the spur of the moment without being aware of any risk involved, and Venturesomeness characteristic of people who are well aware of the risks they might run but are prepared to chance it), and a third one acting as a diversion ( Empathy characteristic of people able to experience the feelings, perceptions, and thoughts of another). The Eysenck’s impulsivity scale (I 7) demonstrated a stable and replicable three-factor structure that is congruent with the three dimensions of the Eysenck’s impulsivity scale construct. However, this three-factor solution explained only 21.9 % of the variance. We found satisfactory internal consistency for Impulsiveness (alpha = .78) and Venturesomeness (alpha = .71) scales, and lower internal consistency for Empathy scale (alpha = .62). The analysis of the relationship between impulsivity and personality showed mainly that there was a negative correlation between Impulsiveness and Conscientiousness (r = -.32), and a positive correlation between Venturesomeness and Extraversion (r = .33). Sex had an impact on the Venturesomeness and Empathy scales. This preliminary study suggests that the French version of the Eysenck’s impulsivity scale (I 7) is valid and reliable, but further analyses like test-retest reliability and convergent validity should be conducted.