The development of a short form of the sensitivity to punishment and sensitivity to reward questionnaire

The Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ) has been proposed as a measure of the behavioral approach system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS). Previous research with the SPSRQ has highlighted potential problems with the factor structure of the measure and individual item properties. The aim of the current studies was to use factor analytic and item response theory (IRT) methods to examine the psychometric properties of the SPSRQ. A further aim was to develop a short version of the SPSRQ. In Study 1, 393 adult participants completed the SPSRQ. The results from this study highlighted problems with the factor structure and item properties that had been noted in previous research. On this basis, a short form of the measure was proposed. In Study 2, the short form of the SPSRQ was tested with an independent sample (N = 327). These analyses suggested the short form of the SPSRQ had an improved factor structure, good item properties, and acceptable reliability.