A Comparison of Factor Structures of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale in a Mentally Ill Forensic Inpatient Sample

The present study examined the factor structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, 11th version (BIS-11, Patton, Stanford & Barratt, 1995) in a sample of 327 mentally ill forensic inpatients. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the fit of five a priori factor structures of the BIS-11 were evaluated and compared. Fit indices supported a two-factor structure (Motor and Nonplanning Impulsiveness). Internal consistency of these scales was strong and their association with one another moderate. Significant associations with psychiatric diagnoses and self-reported continuous measures of psychopathology supported the construct validity of the revised BIS factor structure. Implications of these findings and the usefulness of the revised BIS in clinical and research settings are discussed.