Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Research Articles

Comparison of opioid use disorder patients with and without problematic internet use in terms of impulsivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

To investigate attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and impulsivity among individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) who also exhibit symptoms of problematic internet use (PIU). The study involved the participation of 360 patients with OUD enrolled at an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center (ADATC) from October to December 2022. Various assessment tools were administered, including Young's Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). PIU was identified by YIAS scores equal to or exceeding 50. Most participants diagnosed with OUD had comorbid PIU, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. Both BDI and BAI scores were significantly increased in the PIU group compared to the non-PIU group (p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in BIS Motor Impulsivity, Attentional Impulsivity, and total scores, indicating higher impulsivity in the PIU group (all p < 0.001). Additionally, higher ASRS scores were found in the PIU group (p < 0.001). These findings highlight the importance of addressing PIU and comorbidities in OUD treatment. Interventions targeting ADHD symptoms and emotional well-being may benefit PIU management.

Hepatitis C Prevalence, HCV awareness and Certain Psychological Factors in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder.

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalance of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in patients with Opioid Use Disorder and to investigate both the sociodemographic and psychological differences between patients with or without Hepatitis C Virus. Blood samples were taken from patients diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who applied to Mersin Provincial Health Directorate Toros State Hospital Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center (AMATEM) between 01.09.2019-01.09.2020 and hepatitis virus markers, complete blood count and basic biochemistry were assessed. Sociodemographic Evaluation Form, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Childhood Traumas Scale, Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), Temps-A Temperament Scale, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale were applied to 107 patients with HCV and 101 patients without HCV who were selected by systematic sampling and the findings obtained were compared. Of the 1190 patients diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder, 340 (28.5%) were found to be HCV positive. 107 HCV-positive and 101 HCVnegative patients who were selected for comparison were similar in terms of sociodemographic characteristics. Among HCV positive patients, the rate of intravenous drug use and needle sharing were significantly higher (p<0.001, p<0.001). Overall duration of substance use and intravenous substance use were significantly higher in HCV positive patients (p=0.024 and p=0.017). Similarly, HCV positive group were significantly more likely (p<0.001) to have heard of HCV before and significantly more likely (p=0.009) to know that HCV causes cirrhosis and liver cancer. Regarding the scores of Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Childhood Traumas Scale, Substance Use Disorder Recognition Test, DUDIT, Temps -A Temperament Scales applied to HCV positive and HCV negative patients with Opioid Use Disorder, no difference was found. The scores of the 'Non-Acceptance' factor of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale were found to be significantly higher in HCV positive patients with Opioid Use Disorder (p=0.020). Patients diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) have higher rates of HCV positivity compared to general public. Intravenous drug use significantly increases this risk. Half of HCV-positive patients were unaware that they have the virus and only a very small proportion received treatment. Therefore, examining each patient with OUD for HCV, treating positive patients in an effective referral system seems to be the an important step in the eradication of this disease in this population.

Prevalence and predictors of social anxiety disorders among Malaysian secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the influence of internet gaming disorder and impulsivity.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) among Malaysian secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore its correlations with demographic variables, impulsivity behavior, and internet gaming disorder (IGD). A total of 1574 participants from 12 government secondary schools across five Malaysian states, comprising 569 males and 1005 females, completed an online questionnaire containing validated Malay versions of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale - Short Form. The findings revealed a notable SAD prevalence rate of 40.53% among Malaysian adolescents. Logistic regression analysis unveiled significant associations between SAD and factors such as attention impulsiveness (OR = 2.58, p < .001), motor impulsiveness (OR = 1.47, p = .03), female gender (OR = 2, p < .001), Malay ethnicity, and IGD (OR = 1.08, p < .001). In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the extent of social anxiety experienced by Malaysian secondary school students during the pandemic, shedding light on the demographic and psychosocial factors linked to its emergence. Furthermore, the research underscores a robust link between IGD and SAD, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both issues concurrently. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of these associations, future interventions can be tailored to provide holistic support for adolescents' mental well-being.

Association between impulsivity and depressive symptoms in recently detoxified patients with alcohol dependence

Background: Depression and impulsivity are etiologically linked to alcohol dependence (AD) and are known to affect course and outcomes. The relationship between impulsivity and depressive symptoms has been investigated only in a few studies of individuals with AD. Aim: This study aimed to explore the association between impulsivity and depressive symptoms in patients with AD. Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted in the inpatient setup of a tertiary care psychiatry institute. The study design is cross-sectional. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and stop signal task (SST) were used to assess levels of global impulsivity and behavioral impulsivity, respectively, among 60 recently detoxified inpatients with AD. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) was used to measure depressive symptoms. The results were analyzed to examine the association of depressive symptoms with impulsivity. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation or Spearman’s rank correlation and linear regression analysis were performed to explore the association between quantitative variables. Results: Patients with higher HAM-D scores were found to have significantly higher score on all three subscales of the BIS-11. The attention impulsivity subscale had the strongest correlations (r = 0.53, P &lt; 0.001). Depressive symptoms were more strongly correlated with cognitive impulsivity (r = 0.54, P&lt; 0.0001) compared with motor impulsivity and were not significantly associated with behavioral impulsivity. Adjusting for other variables, cognitive impulsivity was found to be the strongest predictor of the severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The study showed a strong association between impulsivity and depressive symptoms in individuals with AD. This relationship may apply more to cognitive impulsivity, reflecting the role of impulsive decisions compared with impulsive actions.

Impulsivity, Digital Maturity, and Morality of Pakistani TikTok Users

TikTok, a popular social media network, has gained an immense worldwide following because of its entertaining short video format. The main aim of this study was to understand the dynamic association between the variables TikTok addiction, impulsivity, digital maturity, and morality in young adults. For this purpose, a quantitative study with a correlational research design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to select 423 TikTok users from private universities, with 209 males and 214 females included. The data was collected through the TikTok Addiction Scale, which has been adapted from the Social Media Addiction Scale (Sahin, 2018), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (Barratt et al., 1995), the multidimensional Digital Maturity Inventory (Laaber et al., 2023), and the Moral Character Questionnaire (Furr et al., 2022). The results showed a strong significant positive relationship between TikTok addiction and impulsivity, but significant negative correlation with digital maturity and morality. Impulsivity had a strong significant negative relationship with digital maturity and morality, whereas digital maturity had a strong positive relationship with morality. The results of this study can be helpful in raising awareness about the adverse effects of TikTok addiction and in promoting digital literacy through workshops or seminars.

Can mindful eating be a psycho-marker of obesity in bipolar disorder?

obesity is a very important problem in individuals with bipolar disorder. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity in individuals with bipolar disorder and to evaluate the effects of factors affecting eating behavior such as mindful eating, impulsivity and eating disorders on the development of obesity in these individuals. this study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 109 individuals (52 female; 57 male) with bipolar disorder who were in a euthymic state at the time of the interview and underwent outpatient follow-up, treatment and monitorization, and 109 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as the control group were included in the study. The Mindful Eating Questionnaire-30 (MEQ-30), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-21), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11-Short Form (BIS-11-SF), and Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) were used, and anthropometric measurements (height, bodyweight, etc.) were taken. the obesity rate was 50.4 % among the cases and 24.8 % in the control group. Moreover, disinhibition (3.4 ± 0.93), emotional eating (3.5 ± 1.13), and mindfulness (2.6 ± 0.54) scores of individuals with BD were significantly lower than for healthy individuals (3.7 ± 0.82, 4.0 ± 0.93, 2.8 ± 0.55, respectively). The risk of obesity was 5.19 times higher in cases compared to the age- and gender-matched controls (OR = 5.19, 95 % CI (2.01-13.37), p = 0.001). The risk of obesity was 2.76 times higher in those with low mindful eating level (OR = 2.76, 95 % CI (1.07-5.47), p = 0.014) and 4.29 times higher in those using antipsyhotics/mood stabilizers (OR = 4.29, 95 % CI (1.12-12.24), p < 0.001). A comprehensive education program on mindful eating and healthy eating would be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms of the possible relationships between bipolar disorder-specific risk factors and mindful eating.

Impulsivity in migraine and in medication overuse headache: A literature review

IntroductionPsychiatric symptoms and analgesic overuse may contribute to migraine chronification. Impulsivity is a common symptom in several psychiatric disorders that can potentiate substance overuse, including analgesics. Dopamine has been associated with migraine pathophysiology and impulsivity.ObjectiveThis review aims to assess the current knowledge about the potential association between migraine and impulsivity.MethodsPubMed and LILACS were queried using relevant descriptors related to migraine and impulsivity.ResultsFive articles were selected; however, none revealed a significant correlation between migraine and impulsivity. This lack of correlation was verified in different migraine subtypes (with or without aura, chronic, or episodic).ConclusionThe heterogeneity in patient grouping and diverse impulsivity assessment tools of the studies precluded definitive conclusions. The Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) was the most frequently used tool. Given the paucity of data and the potential impact on migraine management, further studies are crucial to elucidate the potential association between migraine and impulsivity.

Sex, executive function, and prospective memory regulate the chain-mediation pathway of alcohol use and impulsivity.

Evidence from previous studies indicates that impulsive behaviors are closely linked to alcohol use and misuse and that female drinkers are more impulsive than male drinkers. However, studies investigating the psychological mechanisms of alcohol use and impulsivity based on sex differences are relatively limited. This cross-sectional study comprised 713 residents from 16 cities in Anhui Province, China. Each subject was evaluated for self-reporting measures using several questionnaires, including the general information questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRM), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11). Executive function and prospective memory may serve as intermediary links between alcohol use and impulsivity. Although the female alcohol usage level was significantly lower than that of males, the female drinkers had more severe executive dysfunction, prospective memory impairment, and impulsivity than male drinkers. Sex moderated the relationship between alcohol use and impulsivity. Furthermore, the indirect effect of executive function, and prospective memory between AUDIT and BIS was more significant in males than in females. Alcohol consumption may be associated with impulsivity formation through executive dysfunction and PM impairment, implying that impulsivity in those with AUD or at risk for AUD might be treated by improving EF and PM. Alcohol use may cause more severe executive dysfunction, PM impairment, and impulsive behavior in females than in males, and impulsive behavior in women with AUD was more likely to be due to the direct effects of alcohol consumption, while impulsive behavior in men with AUD was more likely to be due to the indirect effects of executive dysfunction and PM impairment. These findings provide both clinical and theoretical foundations for addressing issues related to alcohol use.

A novel approach to modulating response inhibition: Multi-channel beta transcranial alternating current stimulation

BackgroundDeficits in response inhibition are associated with numerous psychiatric disorders. Previous studies have revealed the crucial role of the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA), and beta activity in these brain regions in response inhibition. Multi-channel transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has garnered significant attention for its ability to modulate neural oscillations in brain networks. In this study, we employed multi-channel tACS targeting rIFG-preSMA network to investigate its impact on response inhibition in healthy adults. MethodsIn Experiment 1, 70 healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 Hz in-phase, anti-phase, or sham stimulation over rIFG-preSMA network. Response inhibition was assessed using the stop-signal task during and after stimulation, and impulsiveness was measured via the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Additionally, 25 participants received stimulation at the left supraorbital area to account for potential effects of the "return" electrode. Experiment 2, consisting of 25 participants, was conducted to validate the primary findings of Experiment 1, including both in-phase and sham stimulation conditions, based on prior estimations derived from the results of Experiment 1. ResultsIn Experiment 1, we found that in-phase stimulation significantly improved response inhibition compared with sham stimulation, whereas anti-phase stimulation did not. These findings were consistently replicated in Experiment 2. We also conducted an exploratory analysis of the multi-channel tACS impact, revealing that its effects primarily emerged during the post-stimulation phase. Furthermore, individuals with higher baseline attentional impulsiveness showed greater improvements in the in-phase stimulation group. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that in-phase beta-tACS over rIFG-preSMA network can effectively improve response inhibition in healthy adults and provides a new potential treatment for patients with deficits in response inhibition.

Impulsivity and attention deficit-hyperactivity symptoms among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a case-control study

ABSTRACT Background and objectives Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a progressive, autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease.Studies have suggested that autoimmune diseases play a role in the pathogenesis of Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).We aim to evaluate ADHD symptoms among patients with RRMS(pwRRMS). Methods The study included 48 RRMS patients and 54 healthy controls. ADHD symptoms were assessed by self-report questionnaires and performance tests.Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Turgay’s Turkish version of Adult-ADD/ADHD (A-ADHD), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Short Form (WHOQoL-Bref) were completed by the participants.Stroop Colour and Word Interference Test – TBAG Form (SCWT); was used for assessing cognitive function by a trained psychiatrist. Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were used to evaluate by pwRRMS. Results PwRRMS had significantly higher attention-deficit scores and poor performance in all SCWT subtests.All SCWT scores were positively correlated with MS duration.A-ADHD-Total scores were negatively correlated with the age of MS diagnosis.A moderate positive correlation was found between falls and A-ADHD-total scores, and psychomotor speed.A moderate negative correlation was found between WHOQoL-Bref scores and BID, FSS, ADHD-Attention Deficit, SCWT-3, SCWT-5, and SCWT-interference.In multivariate linear regression analyzes, attention-deficit predicted EDSS positively, while depressive symptoms, attention-deficit, and psychomotor speed time were negative predictors of physical health quality. Conclusions In pwRRMS, cognitive dysfunctions such as response inhibition and intervention control, which are symptoms of attention deficit and impulsivity, have been shown to reduce the overall QoL. Among the strategies to reduce the impact of RRMS disease on patients’ lives, it is essential to implement programs to prevent depression and increase cognitive reserve.

Cortical thickness of the inferior parietal lobule as a potential predictor of relapse in men with alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence is a disorder with a high recurrence rate that leads to a considerable public health burden. The risk of relapse appears to be related to a complex interplay of multiple factors. Herein, we aimed to explore the potential neural predictors of relapse in Chinese male patients with alcohol dependence.This study enrolled 58 male patients with alcohol dependence who had undergone acute detoxification. General demographic information and clinical features were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging data were used to measure cortical thickness across 34 regions of the brain. Patients were followed up at six months, and 51 patients completed the follow-up visit. These patients were divided into a relapser and an abstainer group. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential risk factors of relapse.Compared to abstainers, relapsers showed higher inattention and non-planning impulsivity on the 11th version of the Barratt Impulsive Scale. The cortical thicknesses of the inferior-parietal lobules were significantly higher in abstainers compared with those in relapsers. Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis showed that the thickness of the inferior parietal lobule predicted relapse, and lower non-planning impulse was a protective factor against relapse.Relapsers show poorer impulse control than abstainers, and structural magnetic resonance imaging revealed a decreased thickness of the inferior parietal lobule in relapsers. Our results indicate the thickness of the inferior parietal lobule as a potential relapse predictor in male patients with alcohol dependence.

Psychometric Properties of the Iranian Version of the Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale

Objective: To understand the consequences of an invalidating environment, it is essential to have a measurement tool with appropriate statistical properties. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to render the ICES (Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale) into Persian and subsequently evaluate the psychometric attributes of this translated version.&#x0D; Method: Data were collected from 1221 nonclinical participants, including 1053 females and 168 males, who were students at medical universities in Tehran, Iran. Several questionnaires, such as the ICES, CTQ (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), DTS (Distress Tolerance Scale), BIS-11 (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), Self-Compassion Questionnaire, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and EAT-26 (Eating AttitudesTest) were used in the study. The data sets were investigated through SPSS and R language to evaluate the ICES' reliability and construct validity. Additionally, Item Response Theory (IRT) was employed with the Graded Response Model (GRM) to measure the psychometric properties of each item in terms of difficulty and discrimination parameters.&#x0D; Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that both single-factor and two-factor models fit well for both maternal and paternal versions of the ICES. The internal consistency, as assessed by Cronbach's alpha, was high and satisfactory for both maternal (0.87) and paternal (0.87) versions. Notably, the IRT analysis revealed that item 9 performed poorly in both maternal and paternal versions. Compared to the one-factor model, the two-factor model demonstrated a superior fit. Additionally, the test-retest reliability of the ICES over two months demonstrated good reliability for both maternal and paternal versions (0.98). Divergent and convergent validity analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between childhood invalidation environment and distress tolerance (r = 0.175, P &lt; 0.01) as well as self-compassion (r = 0.142, P &lt; 0.01), which were inversely related to the ICES. Furthermore, there was a considerably positive correlation between the invalidating environment experienced during childhood and impulsivity, as evidenced by r = 0.196 and P &lt; 0.01.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study established the favorable psychometric properties of the Persian version of the ICES, indicating that this version is reliable and valid to assess the Invalidating Childhood Environment in the Iranian population. However, further investigations are warranted to reevaluate its validity and reliability.

Neural Correlates of Trait Impulsivity among Adult Healthy Individuals.

: Impulsivity can be observed in individuals with or without mental illness. The discovery of neural correlates responsible for trait impulsivity can therefore help to understand the severity of psychiatric symptoms, personality characteristics and social adjustment. In this study, we aimed to identify the gray matter substrates of trait impulsivity in healthy individuals. : Seventy-five healthy individuals were enrolled. At baseline, trait impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and all participants underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were also assessed. Mean cortical thickness (CT) and the local gyrification index (LGI) were calculated to perform whole-brain vertex-wise correlation analysis, which were performed to investigate the relationship between BIS scores and CT or LGI in each brain region. We also revealed the relationship between brain regions and psychological measurements. : Total BIS scores were significantly and negatively correlated with mean CT values in the left lateral occipital cortex (OC) and LGIs in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Correlation analyses revealed that the lateral OC's mean CT values were negatively correlated with BAI scores and positively correlated with WHOQOL-BREF scores, while LGI in the IFG was positively correlated with CD-RISC scores. : Our study showed that trait impulsivity might be associated with the lateral OC and IFG in healthy individuals. Understanding the neural correlates of trait impulsivity could provide ways to expect high impulsivity, anxiety, and poor resilience in healthy adults.

The interplay of childhood trauma, oxytocin, and impulsivity in predicting the onset of methamphetamine use

BackgroundChildhood trauma is associated with substance use disorders, including methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Oxytocin, involved in social bonding, stress regulation, and reward processing, may influence addiction vulnerability and impulsivity in individuals with a history of childhood trauma. ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships among childhood trauma, oxytocin levels, impulsivity, and the age of first methamphetamine use in individuals with MUD. Participants and settingThe study included 298 male participants (148 individuals with MUD and 150 healthy controls) from both probation offices and psychiatric clinics. MethodsChildhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), impulsivity with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and plasma oxytocin levels were obtained. ResultsIndividuals with MUD exhibited higher levels of childhood trauma, impulsivity, and lower plasma oxytocin levels compared to healthy controls. Childhood trauma was associated with a younger age of first methamphetamine use, higher impulsivity, and lower oxytocin levels among individuals with MUD. Plasma oxytocin levels partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and both the age of first methamphetamine use and impulsivity. Serial mediation analysis demonstrated that oxytocin levels and impulsivity sequentially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and the age of first methamphetamine use. ConclusionsThe findings reveal the complex interplay among childhood trauma, oxytocin, impulsivity, and methamphetamine use, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in prevention and intervention strategies for MUD. Future research should explore oxytocin and impulsivity-focused interventions to mitigate the effects of childhood trauma and reduce MUD development risk.

High Subset Homogeneity Impairs Structural Validity of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale

Abstract: Problems in providing evidence of structural validity of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) are addressed. As the German translation of a short version of the scale (BIS-15) included pairs of items with highly similar item statements, like the original English version, we hypothesized high subset homogeneity (HSH) as the source of these problems. HSH denotes a situation in which a subset of items shows a larger degree of homogeneity than the remainder of the items of the scale. In a sample of 287 university students, we investigated BIS data by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models including BIS factors only and models additionally including HSH factors. Whereas the models without HSH factors yielded model misfit, good model fit was observed for the models with HSH factors. These results suggested that BIS items basically showed structural validity, but this validity was impaired by HSH.

Indirect effect of impulsivity on suicide risk through self-esteem and depressive symptoms in a population with treatment-resistant depression: A FACE-DR study

IntroductionSuicide is a major health issue. Its prevalence is particularly high in subjects presenting major depression disorder (MDD), making this a key suicide-related risk factor. Suicide attempts in severe forms of MDD were assumed to be linked to impulsivity and loss of control. Nevertheless, we failed to find data specifically investigating the link between impulsivity and suicide risk in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This study seeks to review this relationship. MethodPatients were recruited for a prospective cohort. Suicide risk and impulsivity were assessed using the International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version 10, respectively, while the severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, anxiety with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and childhood maltreatment using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Results220 TRD patients were enrolled in the study. The impulsivity score was correlated with self-esteem, marital status, professional status and anxiety. There was no direct link to suicide risk. However, impulsivity was associated with self-esteem (coefficient: −0.24; p value 0.043) and depressive symptom severity (coefficient: 0.; p value 0.045). The suicide risk was significantly correlated with depressive symptom severity (coefficient = 0.38, p < 0.001) and self-esteem (coefficient = −0.34, p = 0.01). Considering these correlations, we postulated that the effect of impulsivity on suicide risk could be mediated by self-esteem in terms of depressive symptom severity and we finally found a relevant mediation model within impulsivity having an indirect effect on suicide risk by impacting self-esteem and depressive symptoms with anxiety also playing a significant role as a covariable. ConclusionWe found that impulsivity could play an indirect role with the involvement of self-esteem and depressive symptoms and the contributing role of anxiety.

Changes in aspartate metabolism in the medial-prefrontal cortex of nicotine addicts based on J-edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

This study aims to explore the changes of the aspartate (Asp) level in the medial-prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of subjects with nicotine addiction (nicotine addicts [NAs]) using the J-edited 1 H MR spectroscopy (MRS), which may provide a positive imaging evidence for intervention of NA. From March to August 2022, 45 males aged 40-60 years old were recruited from Henan Province, including 21 in NA and 24 in nonsmoker groups. All subjects underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and J-edited MRS scans on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. The Asp level in mPFC was quantified with reference to the total creatine (Asp/Cr) and water (Aspwater-corr , with correction of the brain tissue composition) signals, respectively. Two-tailed independent samples t-test was used to analyze the differences in levels of Asp and other coquantified metabolites (including total N-acetylaspartate [tNAA], total cholinine [tCho], total creatine [tCr], and myo-Inositol [mI]) between the two groups. Finally, the correlations of the Asp level with clinical characteristic assessment scales were performed using the Spearman criteria. Compared with the control group (n = 22), NAs (n = 18) had higher levels of Asp (Asp/Cr: p = .005; Aspwater-corr : p = .004) in the mPFC, and the level of Asp was positively correlated with the daily smoking amount (Asp/Cr: p < .001; Aspwater-corr : p = .004). No significant correlation was found between the level of Asp and the years of nicotine use, Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Russell Reason for Smoking Questionnaire (RRSQ), or Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) score. The elevated Asp level was observed in mPFC of NAs in contrast to nonsmokers, and the Asp level was positively correlated with the amount of daily smoking, which suggests that nicotine addiction may result in elevated Asp metabolism in the human brain.

Reliability and validity of proxy reports of impulsivity and aggression: An evidence-based assessment approach to psychological autopsy methods

IntroductionPsychological autopsy methods often include measures of impulsivity and aggression. The aim is to assess their reliability and validity in a Spanish sample. MethodsCross-sectional web-based survey was fulfilled by 184 proband and proxy pairs. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, impulsivity through Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), aggression through Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), and history of suicide ideation. Proxies filled out BIS-11, BPAQ and suicide ideation with the responses they would expect from the probands. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between proband and proxies. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the predictive validity of proxy reports in predicting probands’ suicide ideation. ResultsBivariate analysis showed differences in BPAQ (Median 68 vs. 62; p=0.001), but not in BIS-11 (p>.050). BIS-11 showed good concordance (ICC=0.754; CI 95% 0.671–0.816) and BPAQ acceptable (ICC=0.592; CI 95% 0.442–0.699). In the probands regression model BPAQ predicted suicide ideation (OR 1.038; CI 95% 1.016–1.061) but not BIS-11 (OR 0.991; CI 95% 0.958–1.025). In the proxy-report model BPAQ also predicted probands’ suicide ideation (OR 1.036; CI 95% 1.014–1.058) but not BIS-11 (OR 0.973; CI 95% 0.942–1.004). ConclusionUsed as proxy-reported assessment tools, BIS-11 showed better reliability than the BPAQ. However, both showed validity in Spanish population and could be included in psychological autopsy protocols.

14 The Impact of Visual Attention and Impulsivity on Disinhibited Eating Behaviors in Older Adults

Objective:Although the relationship between visual attention, impulsivity, and cognitively restrained eating patterns has been established in previous research, less is known about the relationship of cognitive processes and disinhibited eating patterns in older adults. Research postulates that disinhibited eating behaviors may be associated with stress, limited emotional capacity, anxiety, and impulsivity. The current study investigated impulsivity as a potential mediator of the relationship between visual attention and disinhibited eating in older veterans.Participants and Methods:This study included 101 Veterans who were screened as part of a larger study assessing the impact of multi-modal activity-based interventions on brain health in older adulthood. The sample included largely White (76%), male (94%) Veterans aged 54 to 88 (M = 70.1, SD 8.9). The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire was used to assess daily disinhibited eating patterns, and attentional impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Visual attention was evaluated using the Stroop Color Word Test (Color Trial). Mediation analyses were conducted using the SPSS PROCESS Macro. The outcome variable for analysis was disinhibited eating. The predictor variable was visual attention. The mediator variable was impulsivity. Body mass index (BMI) was included as a covariate as it was significantly associated with the predictor and outcome variables.Results:The indirect effect of visual attention on disinhibited eating was found to be statistically significant (effect = 0.06, 95%: 0.02, 0.12)Conclusions:Attentional impulsivity appears to mediate the relationship between visual attention and disinhibited eating behaviors. This finding extends the current literature about the relationship between visual attention, impulsivity, and other eating patterns (e.g., cognitively restrained eating) in older adults. Exploring this relationship helps us better understand the impact of eating habits through the aging process. Caregivers and older adults should be informed about the impact of increased impulsivity on disinhibited eating behaviors, especially in those with limited visual attention processes. Further understanding of the neurobiological impact of eating behaviors on cognition in older adulthood may assist in developing awareness about the importance of healthy eating patterns when considering brain health in the aging process.

Emotion Regulation Training on Irritability, Alexithymia, and Interpersonal Problems of Adolescents With Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Background: Difficulty regulating emotion has been identified as a trans-diagnostic factor common to various psychiatric diagnoses and behavior problems. This study aims to implement emotion regulation training techniques on adolescents with a disruptive mood disorder, emphasizing the irritability, alexithymia, and interpersonal issues in adolescents with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Methods: This quasi-experimental research used a pre-test and post-test design on 30 disruptive mood disorders in Tehran City, Iran, from 2022 to 2023. The participants were selected via simple purposive sampling. They were randomly assigned to two 15-member groups (experimental and control). The intervention group received self-regulation training over two months through eight 90-min group therapy sessions, whereas the control group received no treatment. The data were collected using the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20), and the inventory of interpersonal problems short-version. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software, version 25, and the multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: As indicated by the results, a significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of irritability (F=26.45, P=0.001, η=0.695), alexithymia (F=38.91, P=0.001, η=0.781), and interpersonal problems (F=31.27, P=0.001, η=0.734). Moreover, according to the alexithymia’s largest effect size (0.781), emotion regulation training had more effect on alexithymia. Conclusion: Based on the results, emotion regulation training can be implemented effectively in clinics and psychological treatment centers. Also, because of using emotion regulation training, it is possible to improve these people’s psychological characteristics and social relations. It is also suggested that relevant organizations train specialists and school counselors accordingly.