The factor structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and correlates of impulsivity among outpatients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in Singapore

• Published in: BMC psychiatry 2022-03, Vol.22 (1), p.226-226, Article 226
• Main Authors: Lau, Jue Hua, Jeyagurunathan, Anitha, Shafie, Saleha, Chang, Sherilyn, Samari, Ellaisha, Cetty, Laxman, Verma, Swapna, Tang, Charmaine, Subramaniam, Mythily
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol use; Alcoholism; BIS-11; Complications and side effects; Data collection; Demographic aspects; Evaluation; Health aspects; Humans; Impulse; Impulsive Behavior; Impulsiveness; Impulsivity; Likert scale; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mental health screening; Outpatient care facilities; Outpatients; Population studies; Psychiatry; Psychometrics; Psychopathology; Psychoses; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Quantitative psychology; Questionnaires; Review boards; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Singapore
• ISSN: 1471-244X; 1471-244X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03870-x

Impulsivity has been linked to risky behaviours amongst patients with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. However, there is a dearth of studies examining impulsivity amongst this population in Singapore. Moreover, to date, scales to measure impulsivity have not been validated in this population. The present study seeks to examine the underlying factor structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and explore sociodemographic and clinical correlates of impulsivity within this group. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted to test factor structures of the BIS-11 proposed in extant literature. However, due to poor fit statistics, the sample (n = 397) was split into two groups, with Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) conducted in the first subgroup (n = 200). The final model of the EFA was then tested within the second subgroup (n = 197) with CFA. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to examine sociodemographic and clinical correlates of each underlying factor. CFA indicated a three-factor structure amongst 16-items of the BIS-11 with acceptable fit: i) Non-planning impulsivity (5-items; α = 0.94), ii) Motor impulsiveness (6-items α = 0.84), and iii) Lack of self-control (5-items, α = 0.85). Lower education was associated with higher non-planning impulsivity. While age, ethnicity, marital status, and general psychiatric symptom severity were significant correlates of motor impulsiveness, problematic alcohol use and general psychiatric symptom severity were related to a greater lack of self-control. Factor structures of the BIS-11 suggested by extant literature were not applicable, and we propose an alternative factor structure for BIS-11. Significant correlates of impulsivity are highlighted, and avenues for future research are suggested.