Psychometric Properties of Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Systems (BAS/BIS) in Dependent People with Drug and Alcohol

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory is a biological pattern of personality that considers brain-behavioral systems as the basis of individual differences. By considering the relationship between these systems and dependence on drug and alcohol use, the present study aimed to confirm the structure of four factors in Persian version of BIS/BAS scale with a sample of drug and alcohol addicts in Iran. This is a cross-sectional study statistical framework consisted of all alcohol and substance dependent individuals in some cities in Iran. 281 drug and alcohol abusers in prison, dormitory and rehab camps participated in the study. The main research tool was BIS/BAS scale of Carver and White. Collected data were analyzed using LISREL8/8 software. Factors power of all questions (except questions 8) was satisfactory on the related factors and the factor structure of the Persian form of this scale confirms the structure of the original form of this tool (RMSEA= 0.054, df/χ2=1.82). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.66 and 0.86 for BIS and BAS respectively and for behavioral activator subscale (BAS-DR) was 0.57 or drive, 0.78 for reward responsiveness and 0.63 for fun seeking. The Persian version of Behavioral activation/inhibition systems (BAS/BIS) confirms the adaption of Gray's theoretic model and Corver and White's four-factor model with Iranian addicted community. This scale can be consequently used for Persian languages community in experimental and clinical research situations by researchers.