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Protocol - Disinhibiting Behaviors - Impulsivity - Adolescent and Adult

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Description

The UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale contains 59 self-administered questions that are scored as five subscales (urgency, premeditation, perseverance, sensation seeking, and positive urgency). The respondent is asked to complete the questionnaire by reading each item and circling the number on a Likert scale, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree, that corresponds to his/her behavior.

Specific Instructions

None

Availability

Available

Protocol

Below are a number of statements that describe ways in which people act and think. For each statement, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the statement. If you Agree Strongly circle 1, if you Agree Somewhat circle 2, if you Disagree Somewhat circle 3, and if you Disagree Strongly circle 4. Be sure to indicate your agreement or disagreement for every statement below. Also, there are questions on the following pages.

Agree Strongly

Agree Some

Disagree Some

Disagree Strongly

1.

I have a reserved and cautious attitude toward life.

1

2

3

4

2.

I have trouble controlling my impulses.

1

2

3

4

3.

I generally seek new and exciting experiences and sensations.

1

2

3

4

4.

I generally like to see things through to the end.

1

2

3

4

5.

When I am very happy, I cant seem to stop myself from doing things that can have bad consequences.

1

2

3

4

6.

My thinking is usually careful and purposeful.

1

2

3

4

7.

I have trouble resisting my cravings (for food, cigarettes, etc).

1

2

3

4

8.

Ill try anything once.

1

2

3

4

9.

I tend to give up easily.

1

2

3

4

10.

When I am in a great mood, I tend to get into situations that could cause me problems.

1

2

3

4

11.

I am not one of those people who blurt out things without thinking.

1

2

3

4

12.

I often get involved in things I later wish I could get out of.

1

2

3

4

13.

I like sports and games in which you have to choose your next move very quickly.

1

2

3

4

14.

Unfinished tasks really bother me.

1

2

3

4

15.

When I am very happy, I tend to do things that may cause problems in my life.

1

2

3

4

16.

I like to stop and think things over before I do them.

1

2

3

4

17.

When I feel bad, I will often do things I later regret in order to make myself feel better now.

1

2

3

4

18.

I would enjoy water skiing.

1

2

3

4

19.

Once I get going on something I hate to stop.

1

2

3

4

20.

I tend to lose control when I am in a great mood.

1

2

3

4

21.

I dont like to start a project until I know exactly how to proceed.

1

2

3

4

22.

Sometimes when I feel bad, I cant seem to stop what I am doing even though it is making me feel worse.

1

2

3

4

23.

I quite enjoy taking risks.

1

2

3

4

24.

I concentrate easily.

1

2

3

4

25.

When I am really ecstatic, I tend to get out of control.

1

2

3

4

26.

I would enjoy parachute jumping.

1

2

3

4

27.

I finish what I start.

1

2

3

4

28.

I tend to value and follow a rational, "sensible" approach to things.

1

2

3

4

29.

When I am upset I often act without thinking.

1

2

3

4

30.

Others would say I make bad choices when I am extremely happy about something.

1

2

3

4

31.

I welcome new and exciting experiences and sensations, even if they are a little frightening and unconventional.

1

2

3

4

32.

I am able to pace myself so as to get things done on time.

1

2

3

4

33.

I usually make up my mind through careful reasoning.

1

2

3

4

34.

When I feel rejected, I will often say things I regret later.

1

2

3

4

35.

Others are shocked or worried about the things I do when I am feeling very excited.

1

2

3

4

36.

I would like to learn to fly an airplane.

1

2

3

4

37.

I am a person who always gets the job done.

1

2

3

4

38.

I am a cautious person.

1

2

3

4

39.

It is hard for me to resist acting on my feelings.

1

2

3

4

40.

When I get really happy about something, I tend to do things that can have bad consequences.

1

2

3

4

41.

I sometimes like doing things that are a bit frightening.

1

2

3

4

42.

I almost always finish projects that I start.

1

2

3

4

43.

Before I get into a new situation I like to find out what to expect from it.

1

2

3

4

44.

I often make matters worse because I act without thinking when I am upset.

1

2

3

4

45.

When overjoyed, I feel like I cant stop myself from going overboard.

1

2

3

4

46.

I would enjoy the sensation of skiing very fast down a high mountain slope.

1

2

3

4

47.

Sometimes there are so many little things to be done that I just ignore them all.

1

2

3

4

48.

I usually think carefully before doing anything.

1

2

3

4

49.

When I am really excited, I tend not to think of the consequences of my actions.

1

2

3

4

50.

In the heat of an argument, I will often say things that I later regret.

1

2

3

4

51.

I would like to go scuba diving.

1

2

3

4

52.

I tend to act without thinking when I am really excited.

1

2

3

4

53.

I always keep my feelings under control.

1

2

3

4

54.

When I am really happy, I often find myself in situations that I normally wouldnt be comfortable with.

1

2

3

4

55.

Before making up my mind, I consider all the advantages and disadvantages.

1

2

3

4

56.

I would enjoy fast driving.

1

2

3

4

57.

When I am very happy, I feel like it is ok to give in to cravings or overindulge.

1

2

3

4

58.

Sometimes I do impulsive things that I later regret.

1

2

3

4

59.

I am surprised at the things I do while in a great mood.

1

2

3

4

Scoring Instructions:

This is a revised version of the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (Whiteside & Lynam, 2001). This version, UPPS-P (Lynam, Smith, Whiteside, & Cyders, 2006), assesses positive urgency (Cyders, Smith, Spillane, Fischer, Annus, & Peterson, 2007) in addition to the four pathways assessed in the original version of the scale—urgency (now negative urgency), (lack of) premeditation, (lack of) perseverance, and sensation seeking. The scale uses a 1 (agree strongly) to 4 (disagree strongly) response format. Because the items from different scales run in different directions, it is important to make sure that the correct items are reverse-scored. Typically all of the items are recoded in the direction such that higher scores indicate more impulsive behavior. Therefore, we include the scoring key for (negative) urgency, (lack of) premeditation, (lack of) perseverance, sensation seeking, and positive urgency. For each scale, calculate the mean of the available items; this puts the scales on the same metric. Typically participants must have responded to at least 70% of the items before a score is calculated.

(Negative) Urgency (all items except one are reversed)

items 2 (R), 7(R), 12 (R), 17 (R), 22 (R), 29 (R), 34 (R), 39 (R), 44 (R), 50 (R), 53, 58 (R)

(lack of) Premeditation (no items are reversed)

items 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 28, 33, 38, 43, 48, 55

(lack of) Perseverance (two items are reversed)

items 4, 9 (R), 14, 19, 24, 27, 32, 37, 42, 47 (R)

Sensation Seeking (all items are reversed)

items 3 (R), 8 (R), 13 (R), 18 (R), 23 (R), 26 (R), 31 (R), 36 (R), 41 (R), 46 (R), 51 (R), 56 (R)

Positive Urgency (all items are reversed)

items 5 (R), 10 (R), 15 (R), 20 (R), 25 (R), 30 (R), 35 (R), 40 (R), 45 (R), 49 (R), 52 (R), 54 (R), 57 (R), 59 (R)

(R) indicates the item needs to be reverse scored such 1=4, 2=3, 3=2, and 4=1.

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Self-administered questionnaire

Lifestage

Adolescent, Adult

Participants

[

Ages 12+ years

]

Selection Rationale

[

The UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale was developed by Whiteside and Lynam (2001) through an empirical investigation of the many different existent measures of the heterogeneous trait of impulsivity. Used in studies of psychiatric disorders and risky and deviant behavior, the scale has been widely adopted, validated with adolescents and adults, and administered in French and German. In 2006, Dr. Gregory Smith and colleagues added one more dimension (positive urgency) to the scale. Each subscale has been validated and the results are independent of one another.

]

Language

English, Other languages available at source

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Disinhibit behav - impuls adult proto 62920-4 LOINC
Human Phenotype Ontology Impulsivity HP:0100710 HPO
caDSR Form PhenX PX180401 - Disinhibiting Behaviors Impulsivity Adolescent and Adult Protocol 6188638 caDSR Form
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Expert Review Panel 4 (ERP 4) reviewed the measures in the Neurology, Psychiatric, and Psychosocial domains. Guidance from ERP 4 included the following:

  • No changes

Protocol Name from Source

UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale

Source

Lynam, D. R., Smith, G. T., Whiteside, S. P., & Cyders, M. A. (2006). The UPPS-P: Assessing five personality pathways to impulsive behavior. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University.

General References

Cyders, M. A., Smith, G. T., Spillane, N. S., Fischer, S., Annus, A. M., & Peterson, C. (2007). Integration of impulsivity and positive mood to predict risky behavior: Development and validation of a measure of positive urgency. Psychological Assessment, 19(1), 107-118.

dAcremont, M., & Van der Linden, M. (2005). Adolescent impulsivity: Findings from a community sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34, 427-435.

Fischer, S., & Smith, G. T. (2008). Binge eating, problem drinking, and pathological gambling: Linking behavior to shared traits and social learning. Personality and Individual Differences, 44, 789-800.

Lynam, D. R., & Miller, J. D. (2004). Personality pathways to impulsive behavior and their relations to deviance: Results from three samples. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 20, 319-342.

Smith, G. T., Fischer, S., Cyders, M. A., Annus, A. M., Spillane, N. S., & McCarthy, D. M. (2007). On the validity and utility of discriminating among impulsivity-like traits. Assessment, 14, 155-170.

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, 669-689.

Protocol ID

180401

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX180401_Able_To_Pace_Myself
PX180401320000 I am able to pace myself so as to get things more
done on time. show less
N/A
PX180401_Act_Without_Thinking_Make_Worse
PX180401440000 I often make matters worse because I act more
without thinking when I am upset. show less
N/A
PX180401_Act_Without_Thinking_When_Excited
PX180401520000 I tend to act without thinking when I am more
really excited. show less
N/A
PX180401_Act_Without_Thinking_When_Upset
PX180401290000 When I am upset I often act without thinking. N/A
PX180401_Almost_Always_Finish_Projects
PX180401420000 I almost always finish projects that I start. N/A
PX180401_Cant_Stop_From_Going_Overboard
PX180401450000 When overjoyed, I feel like I can't stop more
myself from going overboard. show less
N/A
PX180401_Cant_Stop_Hurtful_Actions
PX180401220000 Sometimes when I feel bad, I can't seem to more
stop what I am doing even though it is making me feel worse. show less
N/A
PX180401_Careful_Reasoning
PX180401330000 I usually make up my mind through careful more
reasoning. show less
N/A
PX180401_Cautious_About_New_Situations
PX180401430000 Before I get into a new situation I like to more
find out what to expect from it. show less
N/A
PX180401_Cautious_Attitude_Toward_Life
PX180401010000 I have a reserved and cautious attitude more
toward life. show less
N/A
PX180401_Cautious_Person
PX180401380000 I am a cautious person. N/A
PX180401_Concentrate_Easily
PX180401240000 I concentrate easily. N/A
PX180401_Consider_All_Advantages_And_Disadvantages
PX180401550000 Before making up my mind, I consider all the more
advantages and disadvantages. show less
N/A
PX180401_Doesnt_Blurt_Out_Without_Thinking
PX180401110000 I am not one of those people who blurt out more
things without thinking. show less
N/A
PX180401_Dont_Think_About_Consequences
PX180401490000 When I am really excited, I tend not to more
think of the consequences of my actions. show less
N/A
PX180401_Do_Impulsive_Things_Later_Regret
PX180401580000 Sometimes I do impulsive things that I later more
regret. show less
N/A
PX180401_Do_Things_That_Cause_Problems
PX180401150000 When I am very happy, I tend to do things more
that may cause problems in my life. show less
Variable Mapping
PX180401_Do_Things_With_Bad_Consequences
PX180401400000 When I get really happy about something, I more
tend to do things that can have bad consequences. show less
N/A
PX180401_Enjoy_Fast_Driving
PX180401560000 I would enjoy fast driving. N/A
PX180401_Enjoy_Parachute_Jumping
PX180401260000 I would enjoy parachute jumping. N/A
PX180401_Enjoy_Taking_Risks
PX180401230000 I quite enjoy taking risks. N/A
PX180401_Exactly_How_To_Proceed
PX180401210000 I don't like to start a project until I know more
exactly how to proceed. show less
N/A
PX180401_Finish_What_I_Start
PX180401270000 I finish what I start. N/A
PX180401_Get_The_Job_Done
PX180401370000 I am a person who always gets the job done. N/A
PX180401_Give_InTo_Cravings_When_Happy
PX180401570000 When I am very happy, I feel like it is ok more
to give in to cravings or overindulge. show less
N/A
PX180401_Give_Up_Easily
PX180401090000 I tend to give up easily. N/A
PX180401_Great_Mood_Get_Into_ProblemSituations
PX180401100000 When I am in a great mood, I tend to get more
into situations that could cause me problems. show less
N/A
PX180401_Hard_To_Resist_Feelings
PX180401390000 It is hard for me to resist acting on my feelings. N/A
PX180401_Hate_To_Stop
PX180401190000 Once I get going on something I hate to stop. N/A
PX180401_Ignore_Little_Things
PX180401470000 Sometimes there are so many little things to more
be done that I just ignore them all. show less
N/A
PX180401_Keep_Feelings_Under_Control
PX180401530000 I always keep my feelings under control. N/A
PX180401_Later_Wish_Get_Out_Of
PX180401120000 I often get involved in things I later wish more
I could get out of. show less
N/A
PX180401_Like_Doing_Frightening_Things
PX180401410000 I sometimes like doing things that are a bit more
frightening. show less
N/A
PX180401_Like_Games_Choose_Move_Quickly
PX180401130000 I like sports and games in which you have to more
choose your next move very quickly. show less
N/A
PX180401_Like_To_Fly_An_Airplane
PX180401360000 I would like to learn to fly an airplane. N/A
PX180401_Lose_Control
PX180401200000 I tend to lose control when I am in a great mood. N/A
PX180401_Others_Say_I_Make_BadChoices
PX180401300000 Others would say I make bad choices when I more
am extremely happy about something. show less
N/A
PX180401_Others_ShockedAbout_Things_I_Do
PX180401350000 Others are shocked or worried about the more
things I do when I am feeling very excited. show less
N/A
PX180401_Out_Of_Control_When_Ecstatic
PX180401250000 When I am really ecstatic, I tend to get out more
of control. show less
N/A
PX180401_Rational_Approach_To_Things
PX180401280000 I tend to value and follow a rational, more
sensible approach to things. show less
N/A
PX180401_Regret_Actions_ToFeel_Better
PX180401170000 When I feel bad, I will often do things I more
later regret in order to make myself feel better now. show less
N/A
PX180401_Say_Things_Later_Regret
PX180401500000 In the heat of an argument, I will often say more
things that I later regret. show less
N/A
PX180401_Say_Things_Regret_When_Rejected
PX180401340000 When I feel rejected, I will often say more
things I regret later. show less
N/A
PX180401_Seek_New_And_Exciting_Experiences
PX180401030000 I generally seek new and exciting more
experiences and sensations. show less
N/A
PX180401_See_Things_Through
PX180401040000 I generally like to see things through to the end. N/A
PX180401_Stop_And_Think_Things_Over
PX180401160000 I like to stop and think things over before more
I do them. show less
N/A
PX180401_Surprising_Actions_Great_Mood
PX180401590000 I am surprised at the things I do while in a more
great mood. show less
N/A
PX180401_Thinking_Careful_And_Purposeful
PX180401060000 My thinking is usually careful and purposeful. N/A
PX180401_Think_Carefully_Before_Doing_Anything
PX180401480000 I usually think carefully before doing anything. N/A
PX180401_Trouble_Controlling_Impulses
PX180401020000 I have trouble controlling my impulses. N/A
PX180401_Trouble_Resisting_Cravings
PX180401070000 I have trouble resisting my cravings (for more
food, cigarettes, etc). show less
N/A
PX180401_Try_Anything_Once
PX180401080000 I'll try anything once. N/A
PX180401_Uncomfortable_Situations_When_Happy
PX180401540000 When I am really happy, I often find myself more
in situations that I normally wouldn't be comfortable with. show less
N/A
PX180401_Unfinished_Tasks_Really_Bother_Me
PX180401140000 Unfinished tasks really bother me. N/A
PX180401_Welcome_New_And_Exciting_Experiences
PX180401310000 I welcome new and exciting experiences and more
sensations, even if they are a little frightening and unconventional. show less
N/A
PX180401_When_Happy_Do_Things_BadConsequences
PX180401050000 When I am very happy, I can't seem to stop more
myself from doing things that can have bad consequences. show less
N/A
PX180401_Would_Enjoy_Snow_Skiing_Sensation
PX180401460000 I would enjoy the sensation of skiing very more
fast down a high mountain slope. show less
N/A
PX180401_Would_Enjoy_Water_Skiing
PX180401180000 I would enjoy water skiing. N/A
PX180401_Would_Like_Scuba_Diving
PX180401510000 I would like to go scuba diving. N/A
Psychosocial
Measure Name

Disinhibiting Behaviors - Impulsivity

Release Date

December 13, 2010

Definition

This is an assessment with five subscales that are used to measure five distinct dimensions of impulsive behavior.

Purpose

Impulsivity is typically defined as the initiation of behavior without forethought. It has been identified as a risk factor for a variety of psychiatric disorders and problem drinking.

Keywords

Psychosocial, impulsive, impulsivity, behavior, personality, premeditation, urgency, sensation seeking, perseverance, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale for Children

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
180401 Disinhibiting Behaviors - Impulsivity - Adolescent and Adult
180402 Disinhibiting Behaviors - Impulsivity - Child
Publications

Namaky, N., et al. (2023) Suicidal thoughts and behaviours among military veterans: protocol for a prospective, observational, neuroimaging study. BMJ Open. 2023 August; 13(8). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070654

Benzerouk, F., et al. (2021) Contributing roles of depression, anxiety, and impulsivity dimensions in eating behaviors styles in surgery candidates. Journal of Eating Disorders. 2021 November; 9(1): 148. doi: 10.1186/s40337-021-00503-8

Merz, E. C., et al. (2018) Anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and brain structure in children and adolescents. Neuroimage Clin. 2018 July; 2018(20): 243-251. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.07.020

Stevens, A. K., et al. (2017) Do individuals higher in impulsivity drink more impulsively? A pilot study within a high risk sample of young adults. Addict Behav. 2017 February; 65: 147-153. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.10.026

Stevens, A. K., et al. (2016) Does drinking refusal self-efficacy mediate the impulsivity-problematic alcohol use relation? Addict Behav. 2016 February; 53: 181-6. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.10.019