Higher Levels Of Impulsivity Research Articles

The role of family conflict in mediating impulsivity to early substance exposure among preteens

ObjectivesPreadolescence substance exposure, which increases the risk of regular substance use, has been a public health concern. Although studies found that impulsivity is a predisposing factor of early substance exposure, the pathways through which impulsivity is associated with early substance exposure remain unclear. This study examined how family conflict mediates this association among U.S. preteens as family environment plays an essential role in pre-adolescent development. MethodsRespondents (N = 11,800, 9–10 years old) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Release 2.01 (July 2019) were included in this study. Generalized structural equation modeling was performed to investigate the mediation effects of family conflict on the associations between childhood impulsivity and early exposure to alcohol and tobacco use, controlling for covariates based on the Problem Behavior Theory. ResultsPre-adolescents with high impulsivity levels (≥90th percentile) were more likely to report early alcohol and tobacco exposure (total effect: ORs = 1.49 and 1.70, respectively), where 4.13% and 12.41% of the associations, respectively, were meditated by family conflict (indirect effect: ORs = 1.02 and 1.07; Sobel test ps = 0.022 and 0.005, respectively). ConclusionsFamily conflict mediates the associations between childhood impulsivity and early substance exposure among preteens, with higher impulsivity leading to more severe family conflicts that are, in turn, associated with a higher likelihood of early substance exposure. To prevent preteens with high impulsivity level from early use of substances, interventions may focus on reducing family conflicts such as parenting counseling that guides parents to strengthen conflict-resolution skills and create a stable home environment for preteens.

Food reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and weight change during and after a 3-month weight loss program.

BackgroundGreater sensitivity to food rewards and higher levels of impulsivity (and an interaction between these variables, termed “reinforcement pathology”) have been associated with obesity in cross-sectional studies. Less is known regarding how these constructs may impact attempts at weight loss or longer-term weight loss maintenance.MethodsWe provided 75 adults (69%Female, 84%White, age = 50.8y, BMI = 31.2kg/m2) with a 3-month Internet-based weight loss program and assessed weight, food reward sensitivity (via the Power of Food Scale [PFS]), and impulsivity (via Go No-Go [GNG] and Delay Discounting [DD] computer tasks) at baseline and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 12. No additional intervention was provided Months 3–12. Multi-level mixed-effect models were used to examine changes in PFS, GNG, and DD over time and associations between these measures and weight loss/regain.ResultsParticipants lost 6.0±1.1kg Months 0–3 and regained 2.4±1.1kg Months 3–12. Across time points, higher PFS scores were associated with higher weight, p = .007; however, there were no significant associations between GNG or DD and weight nor between the interactions of PFS and GNG or DD and weight, ps>.05. There were significant decreases from Months 0–3 in PFS, GNG, and DD, ps < .05; however, neither baseline values nor changes were significantly associated with weight change and there were no significant associations between the interactions of PFS and GNG or DD and weight change, ps>.05.ConclusionResults demonstrated an association between food reward sensitivity and weight. Further, decreases in both food reward sensitivity and impulsivity were observed during an initial weight loss program, but neither baseline levels nor improvements were associated with weight change. Taken together, results suggest that the constructs of food reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and reinforcement pathology may have limited clinical utility within behavioral weight management interventions. Future intervention studies should examine whether food-related impulsivity tasks lead to a similar pattern of results.

PTSD symptoms among trauma-exposed adults admitted to inpatient psychiatry for suicide-related concerns

Individuals admitted to inpatient psychiatry for suicide-related concerns are at increased risk of suicide post-discharge, necessitating an understanding of factors, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that are associated with suicide-related hospitalizations. In this study, we examined if individuals admitted for suicide-related concerns were more likely than those admitted for other reasons to have elevated PTSD symptoms or a probable PTSD diagnosis. We also examined the moderating role of impulsivity. Participants were 188 trauma-exposed adult psychiatric inpatients (M [SD]age = 33.6 y [11.7 y], 63.3% male, 46.3% white). We used the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 to assess trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, suicidal ideation severity, and impulsivity, respectively. We controlled for trauma load, number of psychiatric diagnoses, and comorbid depressive and substance use disorders. Patients admitted for suicide-related concerns (55.3%; n = 104), compared with those admitted for other reasons (44.7%; n = 84), had more severe PTSD symptoms, corresponding to medium-to-large effect sizes; associations were stronger at higher levels of impulsivity. Additionally, patients admitted for suicide-related concerns were nearly four times more likely than their counterparts to screen positive for a provisional PTSD diagnosis. Among the subset of individuals admitted for suicide-related concerns, greater PTSD symptoms were associated with more severe suicidal ideation. In sum, PTSD symptoms are elevated among psychiatric inpatients admitted for suicide-related concerns, and among this subgroup, greater PTSD symptom severity covaries with suicidal ideation severity. Screening for and treating PTSD, and attending to cooccurring impulsivity, in psychiatric inpatients may reduce suicide risk.

Food Addiction and Cognitive Functioning: What Happens in Adolescents?

This study aimed to examine cognitive factors associated to food addiction (FA) symptoms in a non-clinical sample of adolescents. A group of 25 adolescents (12–18 years; Mean age = 15.2 years) with a high level of FA symptoms (two and more) were compared to a control group without FA symptoms (n = 25), matched on sex and age, on four Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) neuropsychological tasks (MT: Multitasking Test; OTS: One Touch Stockings of Cambridge; SST: Stop Signal Task; RVP: Rapid Visual Information Processing). They were also compared on self-reported questionnaires assessing binge eating, depressive and anxiety symptoms, impulsivity levels, as well as executive functioning difficulties. Group comparisons did not show significant differences on neuropsychological tasks’ performances. However, effect sizes’ estimates showed small to medium effect sizes on three scores: adolescents with a high level of FA symptoms showed a higher probability of an error following an incorrect answer (OTS), a higher probability of false alarm, and a poorer target sensitivity (RVP). When referring to self-reported measurements, they reported significantly more executive functioning difficulties, more binge eating, depressive symptoms and higher impulsivity levels. Overall, results suggested that cognitive difficulties related to FA symptoms seem to manifest themselves more clearly when assessing daily activities with a self-reported questionnaire, which in turn are strongly related to overeating behaviors and psychological symptoms. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine the evolution of those variables, their relationships, and contribution in obesity onset. More precisely, the present findings highlighted the importance of affective difficulties related to this condition, as well as the need to take them into account in its assessment.

Effects of a high-fat diet on impulsive choice in rats

IntroductionObesity and binge eating disorder are associated with high levels of impulsivity, but the causal role of eating and palatable food in these associations is unclear. Studies in rodents show that a high-fat diet can increase one aspect of impulsivity (impulsive action); it is less clear, however, whether a dissociable aspect of impulsivity (impulsive choice) is similarly affected. Hence, the aim of this study was to ascertain whether chronic exposure to a high-fat diet would alter impulsive choice. MethodsMale rats were maintained on either a high-fat or control chow diet for two weeks ad libitum. They then underwent equi-caloric food restriction for the duration of the experiment, with each group maintained on their respective diet. To measure impulsive choice, rats were trained on a delay discounting task (DDT) in which they made discrete choices between a lever that delivered a small food reward immediately and a lever that delivered a large food reward accompanied by systematically increasing delays. Upon reaching stable performance on the DDT, rats were given acute systemic injections of amphetamine prior to testing in the DDT to determine whether increased monoamine transmission affected impulsive choice differently in the two diet groups. Lastly, subjects were tested on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement to assess motivation for a sucrose reward. ResultsThere was no significant effect of the high-fat diet on impulsive choice. Further, amphetamine decreased choice of the large, delayed reward (increased impulsive choice) to the same extent in both groups. Exposure to the high-fat diet did, however, increase motivation to obtain a sucrose reward. ConclusionsThese experiments reveal that, under conditions that do not promote weight gain, a chronic high-fat diet does not affect impulsive choice in a delay discounting task. The data are surprising in light of findings showing that this same diet alters impulsive action, and highlight the necessity of further research to elucidate relationships between palatable food consumption and impulsivity.

Trait Impulsivity Impedes Maturing Out of Problem Drinking Among Socially Anxious Undergraduates.

Alcohol use follows a developmental trajectory-steadily increasing and peaking in the early stages of emerging adulthood (e.g. first year of university) and declining thereafter. While most individuals 'mature out' of problem drinking as they move through emerging adulthood, some continue to drink heavily and experience serious problems. Tension reduction theory identifies social anxiety (SA) as a potential risk factor for problem drinking during emerging adulthood. However, mixed data suggest that the associations between SA and drinking behaviours are not straightforward. Cross-sectional studies demonstrate that socially anxious emerging adults are at risk for problem drinking, but only if they are also high in trait impulsivity. This study aimed to expand on previous work by examining trait impulsivity as moderator of the prospective associations between SA and maturing out of problem drinking in emerging adulthood. Undergraduates (N=302) completed online self-reports at regular intervals (6-months) over an 18-month period, resulting in four waves of data. Unconditional latent growth curve models indicated that alcohol problems (but not use) declined linearly over time. Next, conditional growth curve models revealed that SA was associated with impeded maturing out of alcohol problems, but this effect was only present in socially anxious participants with high levels of trait impulsivity. Our study advances growing literature on the crucial moderating role that impulsivity plays in the SA pathway to problem drinking. Clinical interventions for problem drinking among socially anxious students should both assess for and target concurrent impulsivity.

Relationship between impulsivity, comorbid anxiety and neurocognitive functions in bipolar disorder

Objective The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between anxiety and impulsivity and to reveal the correlation of these variables with clinical and sociodemographic features. It is also aimed to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and anxiety with neurocognitive functions in bipolar disorder. Methods The sample of the study comprises of 71 patients with bipolar disorder type I without any comorbidity (BD), 37 patients with anxiety disorder comorbidity with bipolar disorder type I (BDAD), 52 patients with anxiety disorder (AD) and 50 healthy controls (HC). Participants completed Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 1–2, Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), brief version of Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNES), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), Trail-Making Test A–B, Digit Span Test, Stroop Test. Results PDSS scores, trait anxiety level, hypomanic and mixed episode numbers explain 26% of attention impulsivity. Gender and ASI-3 social dimensions explain 16% of motor impulsivity. Trait anxiety explains non-planning and total impulsivity at 26 and 24%, respectively. When neurocognitive impairment’s effect was controlled, it was found AD and BDAD groups had higher impulsivity levels than the BD and HC groups. Conclusion Anxiety disorder comorbidity increases impulsivity in bipolar disorder. KEYPOINTS In the presence of anxiety disorder spectrum comorbidity, bipolar disorder patients will have increased impulsivity and the clinical course may be more severe. Trait anxiety levels and anxiety sensitivity may be predictive factors for impulsivity. In the presence of anxiety disorder spectrum comorbidity, it should be taken into consideration that these patients may be more impulsive and should be treated with more care in terms of evaluation of the disorder.

The Role of Borderline Personality Symptoms for Psychosocial and Health Related Functioning among Adolescents in a Community Sample

Borderline personality symptoms include emotional dysregulation, high levels of impulsivity leading to self-harm and suicidality, an unstable sense of self, fears of abandonment, extremely turbulent relationships, and psychic pain. They are considered to disrupt normative adolescent development however their unique contribution to different domains of functioning is important to understand among community adolescents. This study aimed to analyze the specificity of the relationship between borderline personality symptoms and psychosocial and health-related functioning during adolescence in a community sample. A community sample consisted of 379 adolescents aged 11–18. Borderline personality questionnaire, Youth self-report, Satisfaction with life scale, questions addressing academic performance, and social relationships were used to assess the different domains of functioning. Data from the present study revealed that there is a substantial part of adolescents from a community sample (19.71%) who endorse significant levels of borderline personality symptoms. Adolescents from this group as compared to peers face more difficulties in all spheres of functioning. Furthermore, borderline personality symptoms uniquely predicted social problems, academic achievement, health concerns, and life satisfaction of adolescents above and beyond internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Higher levels of borderline personality symptoms were associated with poorer psychosocial and health-related functioning among adolescents at the community level. Considering that adolescence is a sensitive period for the development of personality disorder, findings of this study add up to the empirical evidence that borderline personality pathology should be integrated as a target for prevention and early intervention.

Predictors of nicotine dependence among adolescent waterpipe and cigarette smokers: A 6-year longitudinal analysis

ObjectiveIdentifying the factors associated with nicotine dependence (ND) is essential to prevent initiation and continued use, and to promote cessation among youth. This study aims to document the predictors of the appearance of initial ND symptoms and full ND syndrome among adolescent waterpipe (WP) and cigarette smokers. MethodsA 6-year longitudinal study was conducted among 8th and 9th graders from 38 schools in Lebanon. The analysis sample included exclusive-WP (n = 228) and exclusive-cigarette smokers (n = 139). Weighted Cox proportional hazards models were used to characterizing predictors of initial ND symptoms and full ND syndrome. ResultsPredictors of experiencing initial ND symptoms among WP smokers included low maternal educational level, having a sibling who smoked WP, low physical activity, high body mass index (BMI), smoking initiation at a younger age. For cigarette smokers these were being male, younger, having lower BMI, having a sibling who smoked cigarettes, living in a crowded household, and smoking daily. Among WP smokers, predictors of developing full ND syndrome include being younger, believing that WP smokers have more friends, depression, high levels of impulsivity, and initiating smoking at a younger age. For cigarette smokers, predictors of full ND syndrome were being younger and initiating smoking at a younger age. ConclusionSmoking cessation and prevention interventions targeting youth should address modifiable, and tobacco use-specific factors that influence the development of ND among young WP and cigarette smokers. They also need to start at a younger age to target those most vulnerable to developing life-long addiction to tobacco products.

Children's sleep, impulsivity, and anger: shared genetic etiology and implications for developmental psychopathology.

Prior research has established links between poor sleep and problems in emotion regulation. Impulsivity and anger/frustration are core features of child psychopathology. Further, sleep problems are commonly associated with psychopathology. This study examined shared and unique genetic and environmental influences on sleep, impulsivity, and anger/frustration in the middle childhood period with potential ramifications for psychopathology. Families (29.9% monozygotic, 38.6% same-sex dizygotic, 31.5% opposite-sex dizygotic) from a longitudinal twin study participated (N=613 twins). Twins (Mage =8.37, SD=0.66; 49% female; 58% non-Latinx European American, 30% Latinx) wore actigraph watches for seven days to assess sleep. Primary caregivers (95.3% mothers) completed standardized questionnaires to assess twins' temperament (impulsivity, anger/frustration). Univariate ACE twin structural equation models indicated strong genetic influences (76%) on impulsivity, whereas the largest proportion of variance in anger/frustration was attributed to the shared environment (56%). Bivariate model fitting indicated that sleep-impulsivity and sleep-anger/frustration associations in children are genetic; thus, a mutual underlying genetic factor likely contributes to the commonality in these associations. Given evidence that sleep problems, impulsivity, and anger/frustration are mechanisms associated with psychopathology, our findings suggest a genetic commonality and the need to focus on shared and unique risk factors when understanding etiology. Early intervention and prevention efforts should target both sleep problems and high levels of impulsivity and anger/frustration in children, which may have implications for later psychopathology.

Alcohol and drug problems among Australian homicide offenders.

Most homicide studies focus upon 'acute' situational intoxication as opposed to 'chronic' substance misuse. The aims of the study were to: (1) determine the extent of homicide offenders' alcohol and drug use in the year preceding the homicide; (2) compare the individual characteristics of homicide offenders across levels of problematic substance use; and (3) compare homicide incident characteristics across levels of problematic substance use. Observational study using data collected through face-to-face interviews in custodial and community correctional settings across Australia. Participants were recruited through an opt-in process. The data consist of 302 individuals convicted of murder or manslaughter. We used the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Test to determine problematic alcohol or drug use. We also used a range of self-report measures to ascertain offender characteristics [socio-demographics, developmental experiences, criminal history, personality] and incident characteristics (who was killed, and situational intoxication). Of the sample, 38.8% displayed high levels of alcohol problems and 30.8% displayed high levels of drug problems. Those displaying high levels of alcohol and/or drug problems were more likely than those without high levels of alcohol and/or drug problems to report adverse developmental experiences, low education, financial difficulties, extensive criminal histories and high levels of trait anger, impulsivity and risk-seeking. In addition, offenders with problematic substance use were more likely to have killed non-family and to have used substances at the time of the homicide. High proportions of homicide offenders in Australia appear to have problematic substance use in the year preceding the homicide offence, and such use appears to be associated with a range of other challenging factors, including adverse childhoods, criminal involvement, low socio-economic factors and low self-regulation.

Socio-Demographics and Psychological Correlates of Anger Among Individuals Diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder In Jordan

Objective: Psychological disturbances such as anger, impulsivity and resilience among individuals with alcohol use disorder are considered barriers to successful treatment and contribute to poor prognosis and early relapse. The purpose of this study is to investigate the socio-demographic and psychological factors associated with anger among individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder in Jordan. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used to collect data using self-reported questionnaire from 54 hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder admitted for treatment over 4 months period. Data collected in relation to anger, impulsivity, and resilience. Results: The results showed that 64% of the patients in this study had severe clinical anger, 70% had moderate to high impulsivity level, and about 48% had high level of resilience. The findings also showed a significant positive correlation between patients’ anger and impulsivity (r = .36, p &lt;0.05), while a significant negative correlation was observed between patients’ anger and resilience (r = - 0.60, p &lt; .001). Conclusion: The link between anger, impulsivity and resilience is alarming mental health professionals toward the need for an integrated model of care during and after interventions to prevent relapse and sustain sobriety.

Self-destructive behavior in patients with psychotic disorders of the schizophrenia spectrum

The present study assesses the peculiarities and the pathways of self-destructive behavior (SDB) and self-injury acts (SI) in a group of inpatients who have schizophrenia spectrum psychotic disorders (SSPsD). They were 77 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and acute polymorphic psychotic disorder examined in this issue and divided into 2 groups according to the pathways types of SDB: the first group — patients with permanent peculiarities of SDB as comorbid disturbance (Gr1 PermSDB), the second group — patients with impulsive SDB manifestations as secondary behavior disturbance on background acute psychotic episode with imperative pseudo-hallucinations (Gr2 ImpSI) There was a weighty predominance of patients with schizophrenia and hallucinatory-paranoid syndrome in both groups. Patients with schizophrenia more frequently realized impulsive SI exactly with imperative pseudo-hallucinations as the cause of them. Significant difference in motivation of SDB and SI was found in different groups. In Gr1 PermSDB the main motivation was psychological problems associated with mental illness, social and interpersonal problems, while in Gr2 ImpSI the exclusive reason of SI was «command» to do it under influence of imperative pseudo-hallucinations. The psychometric results (the Plutchik’s impulsivity scale) revealed a much higher level of impulsivity in Gr1 PermSDB. Results confirmed that fundamentally diverse pathways for SDB manifestation and dynamic of it, also SI motivation exist in patients with SSPsD. It should be taken in the treatment tactic and rehabilitation course for such different patients. Key words: self-destructive behaviour, self-injury, psychotic disorders of the schizophrenia spectrum

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 in Community and Incarcerated Samples: Motor and Nonplanning Impulsivity Effects on Criminal Recidivism

Although the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess impulsivity, its factor structure remains controversial. Several authors have suggested that cultural factors may have an impact on its factor structure. It is also necessary to study the measurement invariance of the scale in different populations, especially in the case of incarcerated individuals, given their high level of impulsivity. This study had two objectives: (a) to evaluate the factor structure of the BIS-11 and its measurement invariance across community and incarcerated samples and (b) to evaluate the effect of impulsiveness on criminal recidivism. The results revealed a two-factor structure: Motor and Nonplanning Impulsivity. This solution was invariant across groups. In addition, increased Motor Impulsivity was related to higher criminal recidivism through an increase in aggression. These results corroborate the importance of implementing interventions to reduce impulsivity as a means of preventing recidivism.

ELSA 2014 Cohort: Risk Factors Associated With Heavy Episodic Drinking Trajectories in Argentinean College Students.

Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is highly prevalent in college students. In Argentina, there is a notable lack of longitudinal studies examining drinking trajectories. The present study identified HED trajectories in Argentinean college students during the first 3 years of college (seven waves) and examined the association between risk factors for alcohol use and HED trajectories. The sample was composed of 1,240 college students [63.1% women, aged 18–25 years (M = 19.1 ± 1.7)] who completed at least three waves (the first data collection and ≥2 follow-ups). For 3 years, participants completed seven surveys that measured HED frequency, age of drinking onset, drunkenness occurrence, trait impulsivity, family history of alcohol abuse, stressful life events, and perceived peer’s drinking. Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) were used to identify the pattern and number of HED trajectories and to explore which risk factors better distinguished between the trajectories, respectively. Six HED trajectories were identified: Heavy Stable Frequency, Moderate Stable Frequency, Moderate Decreasing Frequency, Stable Infrequent, Decreasing Infrequent, and No-HED. Younger age of drinking onset, alcohol intoxication, greater perception of peer drinking frequency and higher levels of impulsivity (i.e., sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and positive urgency) increased the probability of belonging to the trajectories with more frequent HED. These trajectories partially coincide with those identified in studies from other cultures. Unlike previous studies, we did not find a trajectory with increasing/ascending HED frequency. This may be related to contextual/cultural variables unique to Argentina, like differences in the age when the peak in alcohol consumption is reached or the legal minimum age to buy alcoholic beverages in this country, and the idiosyncratic elements that characterize college life in Argentina. This work represents a step forward in the identification of risk factors differentiating between different HED trajectories, and help understand changes in alcohol use during college, in an understudied population.

White Matter Abnormalities Based on TBSS and Its Correlation With Impulsivity Behavior of Methamphetamine Addicts.

BackgroundMethamphetamine (MA) abuse is one of the most rapidly growing illicit drug problems worldwide. Impulsivity has been considered as a core impairment underpinning addictive behavior. Studies have demonstrated that MA addicts have white matter abnormalities based on ROIs. There are few studies on whole brain, and the association between whole brain tracts and impulsivity in MA dependence remain unclear. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to detect four DTI measures, and these were correlated with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) to verify and expand the previous results.MethodsA total of 28 MA addicts and 22 healthy controls were recruited. MRI was performed to evaluate the brain structural changes, the BIS was used to evaluate impulsivity behavior, white matter differences were compared between MA addicts and healthy controls, and then determine correlation between diffusion parameters and BIS scores.ResultsMA addicts had significantly lower FA, and higher AD, RD, and MD in a wide range of white matter, which mainly included: corona radiata, internal capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus, external capsule, inferior fronto-occipital fascicules, posterior thalamic radiation, sagittal stratum, fornix and stria terminalis, cerebral peduncle, superior cerebellar peduncle, corpus callosum, and corticolspinal tract compared with controls. The MA group had significantly higher total score, attention and motor scores compared to healthy controls. Higher MD in the right corticospinal tract was significantly associated with higher total scores.ConclusionMA addicts exhibit a globally diminished white matter integrity. furthermore, they present with high levels of impulsivity, and this dysfunction is associated with MD in corticospinal tracts. Future studies on larger sample sizes, gender effects and longitudinal studies are needed.

Social Anxiety-Impulsivity Subgroups and Links to Later Emotional Adjustment in Adolescence: A Latent Transition Analysis

A growing body of research has acknowledged the heterogeneity of subclinical social anxiety, identifying a subgroup of individuals who exhibit high levels of impulsivity. In a sample of Swedish early adolescents ( N = 2,509, Mage = 13.64; 52.8% girls), we conducted latent transition analyses (LTA) to identify four classes of subclinical social anxiety-impulsivity across three time points. We identified a Low Social Anxiety-Low Impulsivity class, as well as a High Anxiety-High Impulsivity class for girls and boys, which had high levels of Time-4 internalizing problems. The latter class was less stable but larger for boys. There was also a more typical High Anxiety-Low Impulsivity class for both genders. Nevertheless, Low Anxiety-High Impulsivity girls and boys fared the worst in terms of both internalizing and externalizing problems later on. To our knowledge, this is the first study to adopt an LTA framework to investigate trajectories of early adolescent social anxiety-impulsivity over time.

Higher impulsivity and lower grey matter volume in the bilateral prefrontal cortex in long-term abstinent individuals with severe methamphetamine use disorder

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that grey matter volume (GMV) might be lower in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder and that dynamic alterations in selected brain regions might appear in individuals after short-term abstinence. However, the GMV of brains in these individuals after long-term abstinence is poorly understood. Moreover, individuals with severe methamphetamine use disorder have been considered to have high levels of impulsivity, but the biological mechanism is still unclear. MethodsIn this study, the impulsivity of all participants was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in conjunction with statistical parametric mapping on structural magnetic resonance images, the GMVs of the whole brain were compared among 32 drug-naïve healthy controls (HC) and 40 individuals with severe methamphetamine use disorder who had been abstinent for at least 20 months (SMUD-A). ResultsWe observed significantly higher BIS-11 impulsivity scores and lower GMV in the bilateral superior frontal cortex of SMUD-A individuals than in those of control subjects. The impulsivity score was negatively correlated with GMV in the right superior frontal cortex. ConclusionsThese findings offer novel evidence with respect to the impulsivity trait and brain GMV feature in long-term abstinent individuals with severe methamphetamine use disorder. Moreover, our findings suggest that lower GMV in the right superior frontal cortex might reflect a trait marker of higher impulsivity in this population.

The Role of Impulsivity in the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity and Substance Use in Male Military Veterans.

High rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid substance use disorder (SUD) are prevalent in military veterans. However, few studies have investigated impulsivity as a risk factor for engaging in substance use behavior for individuals who are experiencing PTSD symptoms. The present study evaluated impulsivity as a moderator of the association between PTSD symptoms and alcohol/drug use. Male military veterans (N = 106) completed self-report measures of alcohol use behavior, drug use behavior, and impulsivity. Participants also completed a structured diagnostic interview to assess for PTSD. The findings indicated that impulsivity moderated the relation between total PTSD symptoms and alcohol use, B = 0.01, p = .035, along with associations between alcohol use and two of the symptom clusters: PTSD reexperiencing symptoms, B = 0.01, p = .016; and PTSD avoidance/numbing symptoms, B = 0.01, p = .029. Veterans with high levels of impulsivity were at significantly higher risk of engaging in alcohol use than veterans with low-to-average levels. Impulsivity did not potentiate the relation between PTSD hyperarousal symptoms and alcohol use nor did it moderate the association between any of the PTSD variables and drug use. Impulsivity appears to serve as a significant risk factor for alcohol use, but not drug use, for male veterans experiencing PTSD symptoms. Future studies are necessary to replicate and expand upon these findings, particularly to facilitate the development of integrated evidence-based treatments that target both alcohol use and impulsivity within the context of PTSD.

Metacognition deficits and impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease patients with and without gambling behavior: A pilot study

IntroductionImpaired metacognition and impulsivity are critical factors in pathological gambling behavior subsistence. This study aims at jointly exploring metacognitive skills and impulsivity levels in subgroups of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients with different gambling status. Method48 PD participants were divided into three subgroups: PD Gamblers (PDG), PD patients with a previous history of gambling and PD controls. Impulsivity was assessed by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. After performing the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), patients filled in a self-report measure to assess their metacognitive strategies. ResultsFindings highlighted that PDG showed higher levels of impulsivity than PD controls as reflected by clinical scales and behavioral measure. Also, PDG displayed a worse performance at IGT although they stated to use an efficacious strategy, suggesting then an erroneous metacognitive representation. ConclusionsOverall findings proposed that high levels of impulsivity combined with an explicit metacognitive bias on self-efficacy could intervene in the persistence of pathological gambling behavior in PD patients.