Psychometric properties of three personality inventories translated to Sinhalese

Background Personality has been increasingly recognized as closely associated with predisposition to develop a wide range of disease conditions. However, at present, in Sri Lanka, there is a lack of awareness of the importance of personality in research and in clinical practice, largely due to the unavailability of tools measuring personality in native languages. Behavioural inhibition system behavioural activation system (BIS/BAS) scales and sensitivity to punishment and sensitivity to reward questionnaire (SPSRQ) which are based on Gray’s theory of personality and the sensation seeking scale (SSS), which is based on Zuckerman’s sensation seeking theory have been commonly used in both research and clinical practice. Aims The aim of the study is to translate and assess the psychometric properties of a Sinhalese adaptation of the BIS/BAS, SPSRQ and SSS scales in a Sri Lankan population Methods The BIS/BAS, SPSRQ and SSS were translated into Sinhalese according to standard method and administered to a group of two hundred and thirty three Sri Lankan university students. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability analysis were used to evaluate the translated versions. Results CFA and reliability analysis revealed factor structures and the Cronbach alpha values of the subscales were consistent with original versions. Conclusions The Sri Lankan version of BIS/BAS, SPSRQ and SSS scales demonstrated adequate psychometric properties to be used in future studies.