Psychometric properties of the Impulsivity Scale (UPPS-P) in a sample of Argentine adults

This study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) in its short version in a sample of Argentinean adults. Its factor structure and internal consistency were explored, as well as its convergent validity with experiential and rational thinking styles, along with psychopathy. At the same time, the relationship of impulsivity with narcissism and Machiavellianism was explored, controlling the scores in psychopathy. An intentional sample of Argentinean adults (N = 517) between 18 and 60 years old (54 % female, mean age 27) was selected. Participants responded on-line to this scale, a sociodemographic inventory, as well as to the Rational Experiential Inventory and the Dark Personality Scale. The results obtained were processed with the programs SPSS 23, Factor 8.10, and AMOS 16.0. The sample was randomly divided into two groups of n = 217 and n = 300. An exploratory factorial analysis was first performed on the first group, as a calibration study. After that, a confirmatory analysis was performed on the second group, as a replication study, since there are no previous studies on this subject in Argentina. A parallel analysis was first carried out with the Factor 8.10 program. A number of replications = 100 and percentile representation of simulations = .95 were used. Regarding the exploratory factor analysis, The Unweighted Least Squares method was used along with a Promin rotation. The final solution showed a structure of four factors: urgency, sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance, explaining 56 % of the variance. Each of these factors explained 16 %, 24 %, 10 %, and 6 % of the variance, respectively. The urgency factor included both the positive and negative urgency of the UPPS-P scale. The factor structure revealed is similar to the UPPS, a scale of impulsivity prior to the UPPS-P, made up of four factors. All items on the short scale were retained. Two items loaded better on a different factor. Cronbach's Alphas were adequate, ensuring internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha of the full scale was .79. Internal consistency was analyzed, resulting in Cronbach's alpha values of .76 for Emergency; .75 for Sensation Search;. 69 for Lack of Premeditation, and .74 for Lack of Perseverance. The resulting Cronbach a values are similar to those of the Spanish version, which presented internal consistencies between .61 and .79. Subsequently, based on the factor structure found, confirmatory factor analysis was carried out on the second group sample. A relatively good fit was found for the model, with CFI and TLI values above .90 and the SRMR and RMSEA below .05. The authors' original model, which includes five factors, was also tested. The fit was less satisfactory compared to the previous model, because of the CFI, TLI, SRMR, and RMSEA indicators, and the difference in. from the models, which was statistically significant at the p<.001 level. Finally, a second-order model was tested with all four dimensions as first-order latent variables and impulsivity as second-order latent variables. The fit was relatively satisfactory, with CFI and TLI above .90 and SRMR and RMSEA below .05. Thus, the present adjustment revealed a second-order factor, as did the English short version of the UPPS-P (Cyders et al., 2014). The scale revealed convergent validity with the scores of psychopathy and the Rational Experiential Inventory. Psychopathy resulted positively related to impulsivity. In turn, the correlations between the dimensions of impulsivity and those of the Rational Experiential Inventory were negative with the rational thinking style-excluding sensation seeking- and positive with the significant ones of the experiential style. Significant partial correlations were observed between machiavellianism and narcissism and different dimensions of impulsivity, controlling psychopathy scores. It is demonstrated that the impulsivity scale in its short version maintains adequate psychometric properties in a sample of Argentinean adults.