Psychometric Evaluation of the Impulsive-Compulsive Behaviours Checklist (ICB) in a Spanish Prison Population

Abstract

Impulsivity and compulsivity are key transdiagnostic constructs implicated in addictive and criminal behaviors, often overlapping under the broader concept of behavioral dysregulation. While impulsivity has been widely assessed using experimental tasks and self-report measures, few tools specifically target compulsivity in forensic populations. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Spanish version of the Impulsive-Compulsive Behaviours Checklist (ICB) in a prison sample. The ICB was administered to 700 incarcerated men (mean age = 37.33 years) following a rigorous translation and back-translation procedure, along with pilot testing for clarity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a stable two-factor structure consistent with theoretical expectations. Internal consistency was satisfactory (McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79–0.80), and convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-44), the European Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). These findings support the Spanish ICB as a valid and reliable tool for assessing impulsive and compulsive traits in forensic contexts. Its use may enhance the identification of differentiated clinical profiles and inform targeted interventions for mental health and reintegration in prison populations.