Psychometric Properties of the BIS/BAS Scales and the SPSRQ in Flemish Adolescents

Abstract

Objective:Gray’s Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is a frequently used model of personality that is relevant to the period of adolescence. However, the psychometric properties of the most frequently used questionnaires to measure the RST-constructs, namely the Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System Scales (BIS/BAS Scales) and the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), are rarely examined in samples of adolescents. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the two-factor structure, reliability and convergent validity of the BIS/BAS Scales and SPSRQ in a Flemish adolescent community sample.Method:A sample of 579 adolescents (39.5% boys; 14–19 years) was recruited. The proposed two-factor structure was assessed using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling. Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency and construct validity was examined with the correlations between the two questionnaires and with the Temperament and Character Inventory–short form (TCI-SF).Results:After the removal of problematic items, and the addition of correlated errors, all indices indicated a good fit for the two-factor structure of the modified BIS/BAS Scales. For the modified SPSRQ, three fit indices indicated a good model fit, while a fourth fit index was slightly below the cut-off score of an adequate model fit. Internal consistency of both questionnaires was sufficient. In general, the associations with scales of the TCI-SF were as expected, with positive correlations between BIS-related scales, and between BAS-related scales of all three instruments.Discussion:In Flemish adolescents, the use of a two-factor model to analyze data gathered with the modified BIS/BAS Scales or modified SPSRQ seems appropriate.

Disordered social media use and risky drinking in young adults: Differential associations with addiction‐linked traits

“…SR was the scale of interest for the purposes of the present study as the index of reward sensitivity recommended by Dawe et al (). The validity and two‐factor structure of the SPSRQ have been consistently supported (Vandeweghe et al, ). Internal consistency reliability of SR was good in the present sample ( α = 0.86).…”

Should I stay or should I go? Approach/avoidance conflict and emotional functioning

“…The BIS/BAS scale is a 20‐item self‐report inventory designed to measure the Behavioural Activation System (13 items) and Behavioural Inhibition System (7 items) sensitivity, first conceptualized by Gray . The BIS/BAS scale is the most widely used measure for Gray's conceptualization RST and has been validated among a wide range of diverse clinical and nonclinical samples . The BAS contains three subscales: Fun Seeking, Drive and Reward Responsiveness, meant to assess a desire for willingness to approach a rewarding situation on impulse, the obstinate pursuit of goals, and the positive responses to the anticipation or gain of reward respectively.…”

“…3 The BIS/BAS scale is the most widely used measure for Gray's conceptualization RST and has been validated among a wide range of diverse clinical and nonclinical samples. 14,[47][48][49][50] The BAS contains three subscales: Fun Seeking, Drive and Reward Responsiveness, meant to assess a desire for willingness to approach a rewarding situation on impulse, the obstinate pursuit of goals, and the positive responses to the anticipation or gain of reward respectively. These three subscales were combined to form a single BAS variable (α = .84).…”

Measuring facets of reward sensitivity, inhibition, and impulse control in individuals with problematic Internet use

“…The SPSRQ measures reward and punishment sensitivities (Torrubia, 2001), and has been validated for use in a wide variety of populations (Dufey et al, 2011;Luman et al, 2012;Torrubia, 2001;Vandeweghe et al, 2016). The SPSRQ contains 48 questions which participants endorse using a binary Yes/No response scale.…”

“…Thus, it includes items that incorporate specific situations (O'Connor et al, 2004). In contrast, the BIS/BAS scales capture reactions to general, more abstract, cues of punishment and reward (Vandeweghe et al, 2016). To date, studies in the PIU/IGD literature have yet to report separate measurements of behavioral inhibition and reward sensitivity using both scales.…”