Impulsivity links reward and threat sensitivities to substance use: a functional model.

George B Richardson,Chia-Liang Dai,Ching-Chen Chen,Elizabeth C Katz,Jonathan M Freedlander

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01194

Abstract

This study used structural equations modeling and undergraduate student data to examine the effects of reward and threat sensitivities on substance use, along with the extent to which impulsivity explained these effects. Our results suggest that impulsivity may translate inversely related reward and threat sensitivities into substance use, completely mediate the effect between threat sensitivity and substance use, and partially mediate the effect between reward sensitivity and substance use. Our results also suggest that individuals with a combination of higher levels on both reward and threat sensitivities may be most impulsive and vulnerable to heightened substance use. We discuss implications for research at the interface of personality and substance use and also substance abuse prevention and treatment.

Highlights

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the United States
Research suggests that among youth, substance abuse has resulted in delinquent behavior, impaired cognitive functioning, emotional distress, and accidents which have led to serious medical injury and death (Jacobus et al, 2009; Goldstein, 2011; Pompili et al, 2012)
We develop a model for conceptualizing the etiologic function of three personality correlates of substance use – reward sensitivity, threat sensitivity, and impulsivity

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the United States. This model may bring some clarity to research at the interface of personality and substance use by providing an account of the function of personality traits and why substance use coordinates with them This model may extend upon Cyders and colleagues’ studies of positive and negative urgency by describing how positive affects (e.g., excitement) and impulsivity, which combine to form urgency, are related. This model may help to resolve inconsistent findings we discussed in Reward Sensitivity, Threat Sensitivity, and Substance Use regarding the effect(s) between threat sensitivity and substance use. We test our functional model using structural equations and undergraduate student data

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DISCUSSION

Findings

LIMITATIONS