The Japanese version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, 11th version (BIS-11): its reliability and validity

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Psychometrics
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• No validated instrument for assessing impulsiveness existed in Japan.
• Impulsiveness is a key trait in various psychological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To translate and validate the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11th version (BIS-11) into Japanese.
• To establish the reliability and validity of the Japanese BIS-11 for use in Japanese populations.

Main Methods:

• Translation of the BIS-11 into Japanese.
• Reliability testing using test-retest intraclass coefficients in a student sample (n=34).
• Internal consistency assessment using Cronbach's alpha in a worker sample (n=416).
• Confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the three-factor model's fit.

Main Results:

• The Japanese BIS-11 demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability.
• Acceptable internal consistency reliability was found.
• Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a similar factor structure to the original BIS-11.
• The scale is considered a reliable and valid measure of impulsiveness.

Conclusions:

• The Japanese version of the BIS-11 is a psychometrically sound instrument.
• This validated scale can be utilized for assessing impulsiveness in Japan.
• The findings support the utility of the Japanese BIS-11 in research and clinical settings.