Authors: Killgore, William D. S.¹; Kelley, Amanda²; Balkin, Thomas J.³

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 175, Number 7, July 2010 , pp. 499-508(10)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

ABSTRACT

Risk-taking propensity can be influenced by sensation-seeking traits and self-perceived invincibility. We hypothesized that the latter factor may reflect a stable trait that endures across situations and may influence risk-taking behavior. We developed and validated a 20-item scale, the Invincibility Belief Index (IBI) to measure this construct. The IBI demonstrated good internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability in the development sample (n = 100) and sustained similar levels of reliability in a cross-validation sample (n = 74). Principal components analysis yielded three orthogonal factors measuring self-perceived impunity (immunity from consequences), boldness/audacity (self-assuredness and competitiveness), and adroitness (mental agility and survival skill). In the prediction of risk taking, IBI scores contributed additional unique variance beyond sensation-seeking scores alone. IBI scores demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity with concurrently administered measures. These preliminary results support the reliability and validity of the IBI as a brief measure of self-perceived vulnerability-invincibility in the face of adversity.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Harvard Medical School, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478. 2: U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Bldg 6901, Farrell Road, Fort Rucker, AL 36362. 3: Department of Behavioral Biology, Division of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Publication date: 2010-07-01

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• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
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