The Psychometric Properties of the German Language Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory-Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ)

The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of a German translation of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ; Corr & Cooper, 2016). Five hundred and twenty-seven participants completed the German version of the RST-PQ, in addition to a battery of related self-report personality questionnaires. A six-factor structure, with two unitary defensive factors, fight–flight–freeze system (FFFS; related to fear) and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS; related to anxiety), and four behavioural approach system (BAS) factors (Reward Interest, Goal-Drive Persistence, Reward Reactivity, and Impulsivity), was supported by confirmatory factor analysis, confirming the English language version of the RST-PQ. Convergent and discriminant validity for the 6-factor structure was demonstrated in relation to existing personality scales. Results showed that the German version of the RST-PQ is a reliable and valid self-report measure of the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST) of personality. The RST-PQ may facilitate future research on rRST specifically and, more broadly, on approach-avoidance theories of personality using German language samples.