Description

The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is a psychometric tool designed to assess various aspects of impulsive behavior. It was developed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of impulsivity, which is often associated with different psychological problems and behavioral disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), substance abuse, and antisocial behavior.

Purpose

The main goals of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale are:
Assessment of impulsivity dimensions: To provide a detailed evaluation of the different forms of impulsive behavior.
Understanding relationships with psychological issues: To explore how the various dimensions of impulsivity relate to clinical conditions and behavioral problems.
Support for psychotherapy: To offer information useful for targeted treatment and interventions related to impulsivity.

Analysis

The UPPS-P consists of five dimensions of impulsivity:
Negative Urgency:
The tendency to act impulsively when experiencing negative emotions.
Lack of Premeditation:
Difficulty in thinking through the consequences of actions before acting.
Lack of Perseverance:
Difficulty in maintaining focus and persistence in tasks that are difficult or boring.
Sensation Seeking:
The tendency to seek out new and exciting experiences, even if they are risky.
Positive Urgency:
The tendency to act impulsively when experiencing positive emotions.
The scale includes a total of 59 items, with responses given on a 4-point Likert scale (from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”). This scale allows participants to express the degree to which they agree or disagree with statements that reflect the various dimensions of impulsivity.

Scoring

Scoring for the UPPS-P includes:
Total impulsivity score: A cumulative score reflecting the overall level of impulsivity.
Subscale scores: Scores for each of the five dimensions (Negative Urgency, Lack of Premeditation, Lack of Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency).
These scores are used to identify specific patterns of impulsive behavior and to guide therapeutic interventions.

References

Whiteside, S. P., & Lynam, D. R. (2001). The Five Factor Model and Impulsivity: Using a Structural Model of Personality to Understand Impulsivity. Personality and Individual Differences, 30(4), 669–689.
Cyders, M. A., & Smith, G. T. (2007). Mood-Based Rash Action and its Components: Positive and Negative Urgency. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(4), 839–850.
Lynam, D. R., Smith, G. T., Whiteside, S. P., & Cyders, M. A. (2006). The UPPS-P: Assessing Five Personality Pathways to Impulsive Behavior. Technical Report.