Validation of the German long and short versions of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Objective: The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is a widely used self-report measure of impulsivity, but there is currently no validated German version that includes the Positive Urgency scale. Methods: We combined existing German translations of UPPS scales and included the Positive Urgency dimension to validate the UPPS-P in a sample of 399 participants. In addition, we developed a revised short version of the UPPS-P (SUPPS-P) with 20 items and conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to verify the structure in an independent validation sample with 349 participants. To determine evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, we used measures of impulsivity, depression, anxiety, stress, problematic alcohol and substance use. Results: CFA of the five factorial structure of the UPPS-P demonstrated acceptable fits and evidence of validity and reliability for the subscales. Psychometric characteristics of the SUPPS-P using the original item configuration were not satisfactory. As a result, we developed a revised German version of the SUPPS-P and confirmed the five-factor structure using a CFA in the validation sample. For the revised version, model fits and evidence of validity and internal consistencies were good. Associations with other constructs were as expected. For example, whereas Sensation Seeking was associated moderately with problematic alcohol use, lacking associations of Lack of Premeditation to internalizing symptoms showed evidence of discriminant validity. Discussion: The German translations of both UPPS-P and SUPPS-P are valid tools for measuring impulsive behaviors. They are well-suited for exploring the associations between different facets of impulsivity and psychopathological phenomena.

Details

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology
Early online date1 Jun 2024
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 1 Jun 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-8845-8803/work/163762713

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • impulsivity, measurement, personality, positive urgency, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, validation