Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPS-P)

The Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPS-P) is a validated 20-item self-report instrument designed to measure impulsivity as a multidimensional…

Questions: 20
Duration: 5 min
Original title: Échelle de Comportement Impulsif de Whiteside et Lynam – Version courte (S-UPPS-P)
Adaptation: Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPS-P)
Authors: Billieux, J., Rochat, L., Ceschi, G., Carré, A., Offerlin-Meyer, I., Defeldre, A. C., Khazaal, Y., Besche-Richard, C., & Van der Linden, M.
Created: 2012

The Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPS-P) is a validated 20-item self-report instrument designed to measure impulsivity as a multidimensional construct rather than a single monolithic trait. Based on the widely used 59-item UPPS-P model, this brief version efficiently maps the five distinct psychological pathways that drive rash action.

For clinicians, differentiating these pathways is crucial because each facet of impulsivity correlates with different clinical presentations. This nuanced profiling assists in identifying bipolar disorder warning signs or parsing cluster B personality disorders (DSM-5). The S-UPPS-P provides a robust cognitive and behavioral profile that helps clinicians tailor therapeutic strategies to the patient's specific vulnerabilities.

Example result

Fictitious result, computed from a sample set of answers.

The S-UPPS-P is a 20-item self-report questionnaire assessing impulsivity across five distinct facets: negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking. This multidimensional scale identifies specific mechanisms of impulsivity in an individual, which is particularly relevant for the assessment of addictive disorders, emotion regulation, and personality disorders.

Lack of perseverance

12/ 16

Difficulty remaining focused on a task, particularly if it is boring or difficult.

items 5, 8, 11, 16

généralemixed · students · students from 4 French-speaking universities (Genève, Louvain-la-Neuve, Reims, Strasbourg) · psychology students (84.8% female) · 17–50 years · n = 650 · 2012 · Billieux et al. (2012)

416

M = 7.46 ± 2.41

généralemixed · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 522 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 7.2 ± 2.48

généralewomen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 282 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 7.12 ± 2.48

généralemen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 238 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 7.28 ± 2.52

Lack of premeditation

7/ 16

The tendency to fail to think and reflect on the consequences of an act before engaging in that act.

items 1, 6, 13, 19

416

M = 7.98 ± 2.15

généralemixed · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 522 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 7.4 ± 2.44

généralewomen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 282 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 7.48 ± 2.44

généralemen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 238 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 7.32 ± 2.44

Sensation seeking

8/ 16

Encompasses two aspects: (a) the tendency to enjoy and pursue exciting activities and (b) an openness to trying new experiences that may or may not be dangerous.

items 3, 9, 14, 18

416

M = 10.55 ± 2.72

généralemixed · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 522 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 11.24 ± 3.04

généralewomen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 282 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 11 ± 3.12

généralemen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 238 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 11.56 ± 2.96

Negative urgency

12/ 16

Tendency to act rashly in response to intense negative emotions.

items 4, 7, 12, 17

416

M = 9.38 ± 2.73

généralemixed · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 522 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 9.76 ± 3.04

généralewomen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 282 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 10.04 ± 2.88

généralemen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 238 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 9.36 ± 3.16

Positive urgency

11/ 16

Tendency to act rashly in contexts of intense positive affect.

items 2, 10, 15, 20

416

M = 10.84 ± 2.38

généralemixed · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 522 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 8.36 ± 2.96

généralewomen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 282 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 8.2 ± 2.92

généralemen · community sample · 18–65 years · Poland · n = 238 · 2019 · Poprawa et al. (2019)

416

M = 8.52 ± 3.04

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What the test measures

The S-UPPS-P isolates five distinct personality traits that independently contribute to impulsive behavior. Helping patients understand anxiety experience is much easier when you can pinpoint the exact emotional or cognitive driver of their rash actions.

Negative Urgency: The tendency to act rashly or lose behavioral control when experiencing intense negative emotions.
Positive Urgency: The disposition to act impulsively and lose control under the influence of strong positive emotions or extreme excitement.
Lack of Premeditation: The inability to anticipate the consequences of actions, leading to rapid decision making without careful reasoning.
Lack of Perseverance: The inability to remain focused on a task that may be boring or difficult, resulting in a failure to see projects through to completion.
Sensation Seeking: The drive to pursue novel, thrilling, and potentially risky experiences.

This instrument is designed for adults and adolescents capable of reflecting on their typical behavioral patterns.

When and why to use it

The S-UPPS-P is widely utilized to parse apart the underlying drivers of a patient's behavioral difficulties.

Clinical intake: To establish a nuanced impulsivity profile and identify which specific trait is driving the patient's dysregulated behavior.
Monitoring change: To track trait stability over time, particularly for individuals who are monitoring binge eating disorder or treating bulimia nervosa.
Differential support: To select the right intervention, such as implementing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for high negative urgency versus cognitive remediation for poor premeditation.

A validated subscale score adds concrete positional data over broad clinical impressions.

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The questions

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.
1. I usually think carefully before doing anything.
This item assesses the patient's baseline tendency to plan ahead before taking action.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
2. When I'm really enthusiastic, I tend not to think about the consequences of my actions.
This item evaluates the loss of foresight when experiencing intense positive emotion.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
3. I sometimes like to do things that are a little bit scary.
This item probes the patient's baseline affinity for thrilling or fear-inducing activities.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
4. When I am upset, I often act without thinking.
This item explores the tendency to react rashly when experiencing distress or frustration.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
5. I generally prefer to see things through to the end.
This item measures the ability to maintain focus and drive a task to completion.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
6. My way of thinking is usually thoughtful and meticulous.
This item checks whether the patient's cognitive style is generally deliberate and analytical.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
7. When discussions get heated, I often say things I regret later.
This item assesses whether interpersonal conflict triggers immediate and regrettable verbal reactions.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
8. I finish what I start.
This item captures the patient's reliable commitment to finishing initiated activities.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
9. I enjoy taking risks.
This item evaluates the direct enjoyment derived from engaging in risky behavior.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
10. When I'm overjoyed, I can't help but get carried away.
This item probes the feeling of losing behavioral control when in a highly elevated mood.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
11. Once I start a project, I almost always finish it.
This item measures consistency and follow-through on personal projects.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
12. I often make things worse because I act without thinking when I'm upset.
This item checks if distress-driven impulsivity tends to exacerbate the patient's problems.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
13. I usually make decisions after careful consideration.
This item assesses the reliance on logical deduction before making decisions.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
14. I generally look for new and exciting experiences and sensations.
This item probes the active pursuit of novel and stimulating experiences.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
15. When I'm really enthusiastic, I often act without thinking.
This item evaluates whether extreme excitement overrides the patient's inhibitory control.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
16. I am a productive person who always finishes my work.
This item measures self-perceived reliability and task-oriented productivity.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
17. When I feel rejected, I often say things I later regret.
This item explores whether feelings of rejection provoke impulsive and regrettable interpersonal responses.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
18. I welcome new experiences and sensations even if they are a bit scary and unconventional.
This item assesses the willingness to embrace unconventional or intimidating new experiences.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
19. Before making a decision, I consider all the pros and cons.
This item checks the habit of weighing pros and cons before committing to a choice.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
20. When I'm very happy, I feel like it's normal to give in to my urges or indulge in excesses.
This item probes whether intense happiness acts as a permission structure to overindulge.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree