Dickman Impulsivity Inventory Research Articles

Comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

Background: This study evaluated the associations between inattention, impulsivity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) across the menstrual cycle. Methods: This study enrolled 58 women with PMDD and 50 controls. Symptoms were assessed using the Attention and Performance Self-Assessment Scale and the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory during the pre-ovulatory (PO), mid-luteal (ML), and late luteal (LL) phases of the menstrual cycle. Results: The chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between ADHD and PMDD. Women with PMDD experienced a greater increase in scores of prospective everyday memory problems and difficulties maintaining focused attention from the PO phase to LL phase than the controls; in addition, they had higher scores in dysfunctional impulsivity during the LL phase than the controls. Among women in the PMDD group, those with ADHD had higher scores in prospective everyday memory problems and dysfunctional impulsivity during the PO and ML phases than those without ADHD. Women in the PMDD group without ADHD had a greater increase in scores of prospective everyday memory problems, difficulties maintaining focused attention, and dysfunctional impulsivity from the PO phase to the LL phase than the controls. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that women with PMDD were more likely to have comorbid ADHD and higher levels of inattention across the menstrual cycle. PMDD was associated with increased impulsivity during the LL phase, independent of ADHD, but it was not associated with a persistent elevation of impulsivity. Furthermore, PMDD women with comorbid ADHD experienced higher inattention and impulsivity during the PO and ML phases than those without it. Thus, ADHD comorbidity should be assessed when assessing or intervening in the symptoms of inattention and impulsivity in women with PMDD.

Current situation and influencing factors for suicidal intent in patients with intentional acute pesticide poisoning.

Since pesticides have been widely used in agricultural production, acute pesticide poisoning (APP) has gradually become a worldwide public health problem. Recently, the number of APP cases has been high in China, and the intentional self-administration of pesticides is the main cause of APP. However, there is a lack of relevant studies on the factors influencing suicidal intent in patients with intentional APP. This study aimed to explore the current situation and influencing factors for suicidal intent among patients with intentional APP. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled a total of 225 patients with intentional APP admitted to the emergency department of our Grade A comprehensive hospital in Shandong Province between June 2019 and January 2021. Patients were investigated using a health status interview questionnaire, Beck Suicidal Intent Scale, Duke Social Support Index, psychological stress scale, Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, Trait Anxiety Inventory, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Descriptive statistics, single-factor analysis, and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Suicidal intent scores were collected and averaged (14.23 ± 6.22). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that marital status, residential area, impulsivity, hopelessness, depression, psychological strain, and social support impact suicidal intent. Patients with intentional APP have high suicidal intent. Therefore, different interventions should be tailored to different patients.

Attention, response inhibition, impulsivity, and decision-making within luteal phase in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Cognitive impairment is a key feature of depressive disorder. Various forms of cognitive function have yet to be investigated in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) during early luteal (EL) and late luteal (LL) phases. Therefore, we evaluated response inhibition and attention in PMDD in these two phases. We also examined the associations between cognitive functions, impulsivity, decision-making style, and irritability. There is a total of 63 female participants with PMDD and 53 controls, as determined through psychiatric diagnostic interviewing and a weekly symptoms checklist. The participants completed a Go/No-go task, Dickman's impulsivity inventory, Preference for Intuition and Deliberation scale, and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory: Chinese Version-Short Form at the EL and LL phases. The women with PMDD had poorer attention in the Go trials at the LL phase and poorer response inhibition in the No-go trials at the EL and LL phases. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed an LL exacerbation of deficit in attention among PMDD group. In addition, impulsivity negatively correlated with response inhibition at the LL phase. Preference for deliberation correlated with attention at the LL phase. Women with PMDD experienced LL declined attention and impaired response inhibition across the luteal phase. Response inhibition is linked to impulsivity. The deficit in attention links preference for deliberation among women with PMDD. These results reveal the different courses in different domains of cognitive impairment in PMDD. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism underlying cognitive dysfunction in PMDD.

Bihejvioralna inhibicija, bihejvioralna aktivacija i impulsivnost u Mračnoj trijadi

Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory postulates that the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) is responsible for regulating anxiety and fear in response to external stimuli, while the behavioral activation system (BAS) is responsible for processing positive cues such as rewards. Dickman's model distinguishes dysfunctional impulsivity (DI), characterized by non-reflective decision-making, from functional impulsivity (FI), which reflects the propensity of making quick decisions when advantageous. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of the BIS/BAS and DI/FI to explain the variance in the Dark Triad traits. The sample included 318 convenient-recruited participants (Mage = 28.67, SDage = 8.95; 75.2% females) who completed the BIS/BAS scales (BIS, BAS Fun Seeking, BAS Reward Responsiveness, and BAS Drive), Dickman's Impulsivity Inventory and Short Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy). BAS Reward Responsiveness and BAS Drive were significant predictors of Machiavellianism, which indicated that individuals high on this trait could be sensitive to positive reinforcement. BIS, BAS Fun Seeking, and DI were significant predictors of psychopathy, while BIS, all BAS scales, and FI were significant predictors of narcissism. These results suggest that poor inhibition, low impulse control, and a strong tendency to approach pleasure-oriented activities are the factors that significantly contribute to explaining the surface of psychopathy, and they could be seen as particularly important for maladaptive behavior. On the other hand, individuals with high narcissism may be sensitive to positive reinforcement, goal-oriented, and exhibit functional impulsivity, which allows them to capitalize on opportunities.

Smartphone Abuse Amongst Adolescents: The Role of Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking.

Adolescence is the stage of development where the reward and emotional regulation systems are yet to be adjusted and where most excessive behaviors start, like smartphone abuse. In addition, in this evolutionary period adolescents are more susceptible to behavioral changes through specific interventions or educational programs. Thus, it is fundamental to analyze the personality profile of those adolescents showing excessive mobile phone usage to properly approach later prevention strategies. Impulsivity is one of the most repeated variables associated with teenage addictions, although it has been observed that not all impulsive behaviors need to be detrimental. The aim of this study is to analyze how impulsivity affects smartphone addiction directly, but also indirectly, by assessing its association with sensation seeking variables (thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility) which are in turn decisive when using these technologies improperly. The sample was made up of 614 adolescents aged 13–18 attending secondary education from Burgos, Spain. Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, Sensation Seeking Scale, and Ad-hoc questionnaire on adolescent self-perception as to smartphone use were applied. Results show that 41.4% of participants admit to abusing smartphones sometimes, while 18.3% admit to abusing them more frequently and 24% to, at least ever, having defined themselves as smartphone addicts. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that gender (female), dysfunctional impulsivity and sensation seeking (disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking) evidence 15.7% of variance in smartphone abuse. In addition, sensation seeking (thrill and adventure seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility) were found to mediate the relationship between dysfunctional impulsivity and smartphone abuse. Therefore, dysfunctional impulsivity was directly connected with teenage smartphone abuse, but also had an indirect stronger association through thrill and adventure seeking, disinhibition and boredom susceptibility.

The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory: Validation and measurement invariance among Portuguese young adults.

The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII) measures impulsive personality related to both negative and positive behaviors and characteristics. The main aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the DII among a Southern-European sample of Portuguese young adults. Our convenience sample (N = 429, M = 22.11 years, SD = 3.35, range = 18–42), composed of women (n = 237, M = 22.08 years, SD = 3.35, age range = 18–42) and men (n = 192, M = 22.14 years, SD = 3.34, range = 18–35), was collected from a university context. The two-factor latent structure of the DII composed of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity was supported, although three items had to be removed due to low standardized loadings, and strong cross-gender measurement invariance was established. Our analyses of the DII also provided evidence of criterion-related validity, known-groups validity, and internal consistency/reliability. Our findings support the use of the DII among Portuguese young adults.

Adaptation and validation of a German version of the Dickman impulsivity inventory for the assessment of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity

Impulsive behavior tends to have a negative connotation in the sense that it is usually associated with detrimental or dysfunctional outcomes. However, under certain circumstances, impulsive behaviors may also have beneficial or functional outcomes. Dickman’s Impulsivity Inventory (DII) measures these two distinct aspects of impulsivity, namely, dysfunctional impulsivity (the tendency to act with less forethought than do most people which leads to difficulties) and functional impulsivity (the tendency to act with little forethought when the situation is optimal). In the present study, we translated the DII into German and validated the German version in a sample of 543 adults. The original 23-item model was considered unsuitable for the German version as suggested by fit indices of a confirmatory factor analysis. Exploratory factor analyses rather supported a 16-item version. Further psychometric analyses and inferential statistical analyses on the final German DII indicated its appropriateness for use in German-speaking populations and support a two-factor solution of the DII. Finally, exploratory analyses on the German DII suggest differential relationships between dysfunctional and functional impulsivity and self-reported lifestyle-related variables (smoking, alcohol usage, and sports behavior).

Characteristics and Risk Factors for Suicide in People with Schizophrenia in Comparison to Those without Schizophrenia

BackgroundLittle research has been conducted that compares suicide cases with and without schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to identify demographic, personal, social, relational, and psychological characteristics among suicides identified posthumously with schizophrenia compared to those without. MethodsThe DSM-IV was used to independently assess the presence of schizophrenia among suicide cases by two psychiatrists. Data on risk factors was collected through a psychological autopsy method, which included structured interviews of two informants for each suicide case (a family member and a close friend). Interview questions included demographic characteristics, suicide risk factors, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, Dickman's Impulsivity Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Duke Social Support Inventory. ResultsThe prevalence of schizophrenia was 9.69% among suicide cases in this sample. The schizophrenia suicide group was more likely to be female, older, in poorer physical health, suffer from chronic disease, suffer other psychological disorders, and have a family history of psychological disorders compared to those not diagnosed schizophrenia. Other important risk factors included more frequent past suicide attempts, increased levels of depression and anxiety, lower levels of impulsivity, lower help seeking from friends, and lower social interaction social support. ConclusionsThere is a notable link between schizophrenia and suicide in China. Identification of social, personal, relational, and psychological risk factors could beneficially guide attempts to improve future preventive measures against suicide among those with schizophrenia in China.

Functional and dysfunctional impulsivities changes after subthalamic nucleus-deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease

ObjectivesWe investigated changes of impulsivity after deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, distinguishing functional from dysfunctional impulsivity and their contributing factors. MethodsData of 33 PD patients treated by STN-DBS were studied before and 6 months after surgery: motor impairment, medication (dose and dopaminergic agonists), cognition, mood and occurrence of impulse control disorders. Impulsivity was assessed by the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, which distinguishes functional impulsivity (FI), reflecting the potential for reasoning and rapid action when the situation requires it, and dysfunctional impulsivity (DI), reflecting the lack of prior reasoning, even when the situation demands it. The location of DBS leads was studied on postoperative MRI using a deformable histological atlas and by compartmentalization of the STN. ResultsAfter STN-DBS, DI was significantly increased (mean pre- and postoperative DI scores 1.9±1.6 and 3.5±2.4, P<0.001) although FI was not modified (mean pre- and postoperative FI scores 6.2±2.7 and 5.8±2.6). Factors associated with a DI score's increase≥2 (multivariable logistic regression model) were: low preoperative Frontal Assessment Battery score and location of the left active contact in the ventral part of the STN. ConclusionOur study suggests that STN-DBS may have a different impact on both dimensions of impulsivity, worsening pathological impulsivity without altering physiological impulsivity. The increase in dysfunctional impulsivity may be favoured by the location of the electrode in the ventral part of the STN.

Personal Impulsivity Mediates the Effects of Neuromodulation in Economic Intertemporal Choices: A Pilot Study

Involvement of the prefrontal cortex in intertemporal choices has been long recognized. Using neurostimulation techniques, recent studies have indicated that the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) influences performance on intertemporal choice tasks. Present pilot study aimed to explore further the DLPFC’s role in intertemporal choices by assessing the influence of individual levels of impulsivity on modulating stimulation’s effects. Thirteen subjects participated in a within-subjects experiment. During three sessions, participants received 20 minutes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; either sham, anodal, or cathodal) and were administered Intertemporal Choice Task. Then, they completed Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Dickman Impulsivity Inventory. Using a repeated-measure generalized linear model, we explored effects of stimulation on intertemporal choice (either immediate or delayed reward) on impulsive responses, defined as quick answers. Individual level of impulsivity was included in the model as a covariate. According to results, participants made a greater number of impulsive choices favoring immediate rewards after cathodal stimulation of the left DLPFC. Additionally, moderating role of individual impulsivity emerged. This study provides support for the involvement of the left DLPFC in intertemporal choices. We contend that the role of individual differences should be further explored to obtain a better understanding of intertemporal choice behavior.

Preliminarne psihometrijske karakteristike srpskih adaptacija skala za samoprocenu poremećaja pažnje i hiperaktivnosti kod odraslih - ASRS-v1.1 i ASRS-5

The aim of the research is to explore the psychometric characteristics of the Serbian adaptation of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist and Screener, as well as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5). In addition to these scales, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII) and the questions about frequency of risky behaviours (use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, overeating, and physical aggression) were administrated on the sample of 226 adults from the general population (43.8% males). The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure of the ASRS-5. The three-factor structure had the best fit indices for the ASRS-v1.1 Symptom Checklist (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity factors), while the two-factor structure was the best for the ASRS-v1.1 Screener (inattention and hyperactivity factors). However, there was a large profile similarity between factors, which calls into question their discriminant validity. All scales correlated significantly with dysfunctional impulsivity and aspects of psychological distress, with ASRS-5 having the largest number of correlations with risky behaviours. There were no sex differences, and correlations with age were negative. It can be concluded that, although all scales show satisfactory psychometric characteristics, ASRS-5 is the preferred one, given its clear one-dimensional structure and somewhat better validity.

704 Infidelity, impulsivity, attachment and distorted cognitions

The study explores the most common reasons for infidelity. Do these motivations vary according to the attachment style? Is there a link between infidelity and a dysfunctional subtype of impulsivity? Are there some distorted cognitions that can be associated with increased infidelity? The final database included 316 valid online answers. Infidelity was evaluated by rating: 11 specific reasons, 3 infidelity scenarios, 10 quotes about monogamy. Dickman Impulsivity Inventory was used for evaluating dysfunctional impulsivity level. Bartholomew-Horowitz scale was used for the attachment style. Dysfunctional cognitions were expressed in 13 true-false statements. Rusbult Investment Model Scale was used to explore the link between couple stability and relationship investment. 45% of men and 26% of women admit they committed an infidelity while in an exclusive relationship lasting longer than 6 months. Reasons for infidelity were grouped under 4 main categories: A) Erotic Impulse B) Feeling ‘unloved’ or perceiving that ‘the right partner’ is missing C) Communication, validation & mutual respect deficiencies D) Revenge after a conflict or following partner’s infidelity. For women Reason C) was most common. For men reason A). Still there are significant variations with age. For example 67% of men under 30, mention reason B) as infidelity base. Infidelity does not seem to obviously linked with dysfunctional impulsivity score. Still some specific impulsivity characteristics were less frequent in loyal partners. Unsecure attachment style was present in 33% of loyal partners, versus 46% of people that were not loyal. Five distorted cognitions were more frequent in people that decided to be unfaithful. Loyal partners rated infidelity scenarios more frequently as clearly inappropriate. The link between couple stability and global relationship investment was reconfirmed.

Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Brazilian Version of the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (Br-DII).

Impulsivity has mainly been described as a negative or dysfunctional characteristic associated with several disorders. However, impulsivity is not only related to dysfunctional outcomes and may explain individual differences in optimal human functioning as well. The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII) is a self-report instrument measuring both the dysfunctional and the functional aspects of impulsivity. In this study, we performed the translation and cultural adaptation of the DII to the Brazilian context and analyzed its psychometric properties. Translation and cultural adaptation followed a rigorous process, which relied on an expert panel in the cross-cultural adaptation of psychological instruments. Data from 405 undergraduate students were obtained for the Brazilian version of the DII (Br-DII). The 23 items of the Br-DII was considered unsuitable according to model fit indices of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (both for Oblique and Orthogonal models). Exploratory Factor Analysis showed an 18 items version of the Br-DII to be suitable (CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.90, and RMSEA = 0.057). The DII’s 18 items version also showed adequate Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, and convergent and discriminant validity with the BIS-11. Therefore, the Br-DII demonstrated reliability and validity in the measurement of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity.

Comorbidity of Internet gaming disorder and alcohol use disorder: A focus on clinical characteristics and gaming patterns.

Although Internet gaming disorder (IGD), which has been considered as a behavioral addiction in DSM-5, shares core features with alcohol use disorder (AUD), there has been minimal research on the clinical implications of the comorbidity between IGD and AUD. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical psychopathologies and Internet game usage patterns of IGD, AUD, and their comorbid status. Participants (n = 1819) completed a cross-sectional web-based survey. The survey questionnaire included socio-demographic data, the IGD scale according to DSM-5 criteria, the Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for AUD, the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII)-short version for impulsivity, the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) for self-control, the subscales of the Symptom Check-List 90 Items-Revised (SCL-90-R) for depression and anxiety, and the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System Scale, and the Internet game usage patterns. The comorbidity group had substantially more severe clinical features such as impulsivity, impaired self-control, and mood symptoms than either IGD or AUD only. Especially the depression scale for the comorbidity group (26.0) is considerably higher than 13.0 for IGD and 16.0 for AUD alone. Furthermore, the comorbidity group spent twice as much money on Internet gaming as IGD alone (all p < .05). The findings of this study indicate that the comorbidity between IGD with AUD showed more severe psychopathological impairments, and the respective persons spent more money on gaming than either IGD or AUD alone. These particular characteristics may serve as feasible therapeutic targets in clinical settings. (Am J Addict 2017;26:326-334).

Classifying eating disorders based on "healthy" and "unhealthy" perfectionism and impulsivity.

Perfectionism and impulsivity are associated with eating disorders (EDs). The current study examines whether clinically relevant subgroups of women with EDs can be identified based on "healthy" and "unhealthy" perfectionism and impulsivity. Latent profile analyses (LPA) were performed on data of 844 patients (DSM-IV diagnosis: 381 anorexia nervosa, 146 bulimia nervosa, 56 binge-eating disorder, 261 ED not otherwise specified). "Healthy" and "unhealthy" forms of perfectionism and impulsivity were assessed by the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, respectively. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire was completed to assess ED psychopathology. Furthermore, in 229 patients additional ED symptoms, depression, self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and personality features were assessed. The LPA revealed four profiles; 1. "Healthy Impulsivity" (HI; n = 191), 2. "Unhealthy Impulsivity" (UI; n = 238), 3. "Healthy and Unhealthy Perfectionism" (HP + UP; n = 153), 4. "Healthy Perfectionism" (HP; n = 262). Patients belonging to the "HP + UP" and the "UI" classes reported higher levels of ED psychopathology. More severe comorbid symptoms (depressive, obsessive-compulsive and self-esteem) were found in the patients belonging to the "HP + UP" class. Patients from the "HP + UP" and "HP" classes had higher scores for the personality features Harm Avoidance, Persistence and Cooperativeness. Women with EDs could be meaningfully grouped according to perfectionism and impulsivity. These findings can be used to improve treatment matching and intervention strategies. The use of dimensional features, like perfectionism and impulsivity, in ED research, may enable the identification of fundamental underlying mechanisms and provide more insight into potential mechanisms that may drive or maintain disordered eating. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:673-680).

The influence of menstrual cycle and impulsivity on risk-taking behavior

The present study aims at exploring how both menstrual cycle phase and impulsivity affect risk behavior. Sixty-eight normally cycling women, who were previously assigned to “fertile” and “non-fertile” condition depending on their menstrual cycle phase at time of participation, were asked to complete the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII) and to play a computerized version of the IOWA Gambling Task (IGT). Results indicate a significant interaction between the menstrual cycle phase and the dysfunctional impulsivity level on the total amount of IGT gains, with low dysfunctional impulsivity women during their “fertile” phase winning the largest amount of money. Implications of the results are discussed within the evolutionary theoretical perspective.

Impulsivity and speed–accuracy strategies in discrimination learning

The main purpose of the present study was twofold: (1) to analyse the effect of individual differences in speed–accuracy trade-off (SAT) on discrimination learning and (2) to analyse the relation of SAT to intelligence and self-reported measures of impulsivity in order to establish whether SAT is a function of intelligence or cognitive style. Towards that end, the Category Learning Test-Tokens discrimination learning task and a battery of abilities (primary mental abilities, PMA) and questionnaire measures of impulsivity (Barratt's Impulsivity Scale, Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire, Dickman's Impulsivity Inventory and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised-67) were administered to a sample of 127 undergraduate university students. The main findings of the study were as follows: (1) preference for speed over accuracy impaired performance in discrimination learning; (2) cluster analysis enabled the identification of three SAT performance patterns: fast-inaccurate, slow-inaccurate and slow-accurate; (3) the low discrimination performance of the slow-inaccurate group may be attributed to intelligence, whereas the low performance of the fast-inaccurate group may rather be attributed to an impulsive cognitive style; and (4) no evidence of correlation between SAT and self-reported measures of impulsivity was found. The results reveal that SAT differences underlie performance in discrimination learning and that these differences are a function of both intelligence and cognitive style.

Executive functions, impulsivity, and inhibitory control in adolescents: A structural equation model.

Background. Adolescence represents a critical period for brain development, addressed by neurodevelopmental models to frontal, subcortical-limbic, and striatal activation, a pattern associated with rise of impulsivity and deficits in inhibitory control. The present study aimed at studying the association between self-report measures of impulsivity and inhibitory control with executive function in adolescents, employing structural equation modeling. Method. Tests were administered to 434 high school students. Acting without thinking was measured through the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, reward sensitivity through the Behavioral Activation System, and sensation seeking through the Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personali- ty Questionnaire. Inhibitory control was assessed through the Behavioral Inhibition System. The performance at the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task indicated executive function. Three models were specified using Sample Covariance Matrix, and the estimated parameters using Maximum Likelihood. Results. In the final model, impulsivity and inhibitory control predicted executive function, but sensation seeking did not. The fit of the model to data was excellent. Conclusions. The hypothesis that inhibitory control and impulsivity are predictors of executive function was supported. Our results appear informative of the validity of self-report measures to examine the relation between impulsivity traits rather than others to regulatory function of cognition and behavior.

Characteristics of schizophrenia suicides compared with suicides by other diagnosed psychiatric disorders and those without a psychiatric disorder

There has been much literature on schizophrenia, but very little is known about the characteristics of suicides with schizophrenia in comparison with the suicides with other diagnosed psychiatric disorders and without psychiatric disorders. Thirty-eight suicides with schizophrenia, 150 suicides with other psychiatric disorder, and 204 suicides without a psychiatric disorder were entered in current study. Psychological autopsy (PA) was applied to collect information of the suicides. Social demographic factors and clinical characteristics of the suicides were measured. The well validated standard scales were applied: Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Landerman's Social Support Scale (DSSI), Dickman's Impulsivity Inventory (DII), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Suicide intents were appraised by the Beck Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). The SCID based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) was applied to assess the psychiatric status of individuals. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, method of suicide and suicide intents of suicides were compared among the three groups (schizophrenia group, other psychiatric disorders group, and none psychiatric disorders group). There were 9.7% of suicides who suffered schizophrenia. The current study found that being female was the risk factor for suicides with schizophrenia in rural China, which was opposite to the previous studies. The suicides with psychiatric disorder scored higher on hopelessness, anxiety, and depression, but lower on social support and impulsivity than suicides without psychiatric disorder. The suicides with psychiatric disorder were less impulsive than none psychiatric disorders group, too. The schizophrenia group did not show more violence than other psychiatric disorders group. This research compared the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, method of suicide and suicide intents among the suicides with schizophrenia, with other diagnosed psychiatric disorder and without psychiatric disorders. The result indicated that each groups showed their unique characteristics, which gave us new viewpoints to control and prevent the prevalence of suicides according to their different characteristics.

Does Alcohol Craving Mediate the Impulsivity–Aggression Relationship in Recently Detoxified Alcohol-Dependent Patients?

Background: The relationship between the use of alcohol and aggression is complex and represents major public health issues. Delving into the nature of this association is vital, since various underlying factors may contribute to the expression of aggression. Objective: This study examined trait aggression by assessing correlates and, subsequently, the unique contribution of alcohol craving, and dysfunctional impulsivity, by means of correlational and mediational analyses. Methods: Forty inpatient detoxified alcohol-dependent patients were recruited. These participants completed the Desire for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ), Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII), and the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Results: The findings indicated that aggression, dysfunctional impulsivity, and alcohol craving were all positively intercorrelated. The association between dysfunctional impulsivity and aggression was robust. The mediational analyses yielded that craving partially mediated this relationship, although not very substantial. Conclusion: It was shown that impulsivity, as a personality characteristic, is strongly associated with aggressive behaviors, whereby the impact of craving on the relationship between impulsivity and trait aggression in alcohol-dependent inpatients was weak. Scientific Significance: Since it has been posited that factors such as impulsivity and craving may contribute to the lucid association between substance use and aggression, these findings mirror previous research on stimulant users and, subsequently, substantiates that craving exerts only a minor weight on the strong impulsivity–aggression relationship.