Psychometric properties and normative data for the Spanish 15-item Barratt impulsiveness scale in adolescents (BIS-15-A)

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS 15-item version) has not been validated in adolescents in Spain. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish BIS-15 in adolescents ( N = 8520) aged 11–19 years from 62 different Spanish high schools and established normative data. Exploratory factor analysis with Promax rotation identified two moderately correlated latent factors ( r = .42): Drive Action, which includes Motor control-related items potentially linked to cortical-subcortical motor and premotor areas, and Executive Control, encompassing items related to Attentional processes and planning, potentially reflecting the efficiency of prefrontal cortex-related functions. This 2-factor model is hypothesized to capture the neuroanatomical distinctions between prefrontal executive functions and motor control, accounting for 42.0% of the total initial variance of BIS-15-A responses. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable (ω = .77 to .83). BIS-15-A Drive Action and Executive Control scale scores showed moderate to high ( r = .55 to .63) correlations with UPPS-P subscale scores, except Sensation Seeking. Our results suggest that the BIS-15-A is a valid and reliable instrument for adolescents. We provide whole population normative data regardless of gender or age. BIS-15-A scores can contribute to determining whether a particular impulsive behavior might stem from executive dysfunction or issues with motor control.