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Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity: contribution to the construct validity
1Pediatrics Department, University Hospital Center in Nice, Hospital Archet 2, Nice Cedex, France. hcaci@wanadoo.fr
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|February 1, 2003
Summary
This study validated the French version of the Functional and Dysfunctional Impulsivity questionnaire, confirming its two-factor structure in students. Findings support its use in assessing both positive and negative aspects of impulsivity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Personality Science
Background:
- Impulsivity is a key personality trait with both beneficial and detrimental outcomes.
- Existing questionnaires primarily assess the negative, or 'dysfunctional,' aspects of impulsivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To translate and validate Dickman's Functional and Dysfunctional Impulsivity questionnaire in French.
- To examine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the French version.
Main Methods:
- The French version of the Functional and Dysfunctional Impulsivity questionnaire was administered to a student sample.
- Factor analysis of tetrachoric correlation matrices was employed to determine the underlying structure.
Main Results:
- The French version demonstrated psychometric properties comparable to the original English scale.
- A two-factor solution, consistent with the English version, was identified in both male and female participants.
- Strong factor similarities were observed between genders and across languages (English vs. French).
- The Dysfunctional Impulsivity scale showed correlation with the Motor Impulsivity subscale of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale.
- Both scales were largely independent of Spielberger's Trait-Anxiety Inventory.
Conclusions:
- The study supports a two-factor model for impulsivity, mirroring the English version's structure.
- Further research is recommended to fully establish the validity of the 'functional' impulsivity factor.