Assessing the component structure of four self-report measures of impulsivity

This study examined the component structure of impulsivity, by Principal Components Analysis of 12 subscales, from four widely used self-report measures of impulsivity. Two hundred and forty five subjects from the UK general population completed the Eysenck Impulsiveness Scale (Eysenck, Pearson, Easting, & Allsopp, 1985), the Dickman Impulsiveness Scale ( Dickman, 1990), Barrattʹs Impulsiveness Scale ( Patton, Stanford, & Barratt, 1995) and the BIS/BAS scales ( Carver & White, 1994). Analysis of the subscales provided evidence in support of a three-component structure of impulsivity. Components were labelled Non-Planning Dysfunctional, Functional Venturesomeness and Drive/Reward Responsiveness.