Impulsivity and overeating: a closer look at the subscales of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale.

Adrian Meule

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00177

Abstract

Impulsivity can be defined as a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli regardless of negative consequences of these reactions for the impulsive individual or for others (Moeller et al., 2001). It is a multifaceted construct and there is a range of methods available for its measurement. Two of the most often used methods are self-report instruments and behavioral tasks (e.g., go/no-go tasks and delay discounting tasks). Self-reported impulsivity is positively correlated with impulsive reactions in behavioral measures, yet correlations are often weak and inconsistent (Logan et al., 1997; Lijffijt et al., 2004; Enticott et al., 2006; Reynolds et al., 2006; Cyders and Coskunpinar, 2011). It is assumed that self-report questionnaires represent impulsivity as a stable trait while behavioral tasks are subject to state-dependent variations. Nonetheless, both self-report and behavioral measures indicate that high impulsivity is a risk factor for a range of maladaptive behaviors, including over- or binge eating (Guerrieri et al., 2008; Waxman, 2009).

Highlights

Beyond the fact that self-report and behavioral measures seem to capture different aspects of impulsivity, conceptualizations vary between the different self-report instruments
Beyond using the UPPS total score, relationships between UPPS subscales and eating behavior have been investigated and it has been found that urgency in particular is predictive for eating problems, e.g., binge eating (Fischer et al, 2003, 2008; Smith et al, 2007; Mobbs et al, 2008; Manwaring et al, 2011; Dir et al, 2013)
Differential relationships between subscales of the BIS-11 and eating disorder symptomatology have been found in clinical samples

Summary

Adrian Meule *

Impulsivity can be defined as a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli regardless of negative consequences of these reactions for the impulsive individual or for others (Moeller et al, 2001). The BIS-11 assesses impulsivity on the subscales attentional impulsivity (inability to focus attention or concentrate), motor impulsivity (acting without thinking), and non-planning impulsivity (lack of future orientation or forethought) Both questionnaires are highly correlated with each other (r = 0.67), but correlations between their subscales are only weak and inconsistent, supporting the notion that both measures cover different aspects of impulsivity (Meule et al, 2011). In a first study by Rosval and colleagues (2006), eating disorder groups did not differ from each other on the attentional impulsivity subscale, but all had higher scores than controls. The BN group and controls had higher scores on non-planning impulsivity than AN-R (Claes et al, 2006) It appears that eating disorder patients with binge eating behaviors have higher BIS-11 scores, on its motor and attentional impulsivity subscales, compared to patients with restrictive eating behavior and controls. Both attentional and motor impulsivity were correlated with disinhibition (Lyke and Spinella, 2004)

Impulsivity and overeating

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