What self-report impulsivity measure best postdicts criminal convictions and prison breaches of discipline?

ISSN： 1068-316X

Source： Psychology, Crime and Law, Vol.17, Iss.4, 2011-05, pp. : 305-318

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Abstract

Impulsivity is the tendency to act with little forethought or regard for the consequences, and greatly influences risk of offending. The `What Works' literature highlights the importance of reliable and accurate assessments of risk and need in offender populations in order to reduce reoffending. There is a lack of consensus regarding the conceptualization of impulsivity and the number of dimensions that constitute the construct, making identification of the most appropriate self-report impulsivity measure problematic. Nevertheless, the predictive validity of different impulsivity measures for antisocial behaviour is well established. This study examined the relative validity of four self-report measures of impulsivity to postdict criminal convictions and prison breaches of discipline for 105 adult male offenders currently incarcerated within UK prisons. The most reliable measure of impulsivity applicable to offender populations was the Eysenck Impulsiveness Questionnaire, which was good for postdicting breaches of prison discipline and violent criminal convictions.