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Trait impulsivity in a forensic inpatient sample: An evaluation of the barratt impulsiveness scale
Author(s) -
Haden Sara C.,
Shiva Andrew
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.820
Subject(s) - barratt impulsiveness scale , impulsivity , psychopathology , clinical psychology , trait , psychology , poison control , personality , population , psychometrics , psychiatry , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology , computer science , environmental health , programming language
Impulsivity is a fundamental component of psychopathology and an essential trait to consider when working with forensic populations. Nevertheless, impulsivity has not been widely studied in psychiatric forensic patients. The current study evaluated the use of a self‐report measure of impulsivity, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS‐11), in a sample of 425 male forensic psychiatric inpatients with varying degrees of psychopathology and criminality. Patients also completed a measure of psychopathology, the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Descriptive information and psychometric properties of the BIS‐11 are presented. The primary findings were elevated Nonplanning versus Motor and Attentional Impulsiveness, and strong associations between impulsiveness and various psychopathologies. Using principal component analysis, the factor structure of the BIS‐11 was also evaluated. Results failed to support the previously identified factor structure of impulsivity. The meaning of the revised scales and utility of the BIS‐11 in this population is discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.