Impulsivity among adult prisoners : a confirmatory factor analysis study of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale

The current study explored the structure of a commonly applied impulsivity measure, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale [BIS-11], in a sample likely to include elevated levels of impulsivity (i.e. a prison sample). The main aim was to assess whether the original factor structure of the BIS could be confirmed in a large sample (n = 1103), comprising two subsamples of adult men (n = 383 and 250), and adult women (n = 250 and 220) prisoners. It was predicted that the three factor solution originally proposed (i.e. motor; attentional; non-planning) would be replicated; and produce a multi-dimensional structure consistent across sex. Although exploratory analysis indicated a three factor solution, the nature of the factors was different to those originally proposed for the BIS-11 although there was some convergence for 'behavioural [motor] impulsivity'. A different factor structure was preferred for women. The importance of assessing in detail the structure of commonly applied research measures using confirmatory approaches is outlined, with implications for research noted.