Lack Of Premeditation Research Articles

MPulse Mobile Sensing Model for Passive Detection of Impulsive Behavior: Exploratory Prediction Study.

BackgroundMobile health technology has demonstrated the ability of smartphone apps and sensors to collect data pertaining to patient activity, behavior, and cognition. It also offers the opportunity to understand how everyday passive mobile metrics such as battery life and screen time relate to mental health outcomes through continuous sensing. Impulsivity is an underlying factor in numerous physical and mental health problems. However, few studies have been designed to help us understand how mobile sensors and self-report data can improve our understanding of impulsive behavior.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of using mobile sensor data to detect and monitor self-reported state impulsivity and impulsive behavior passively via a cross-platform mobile sensing application.MethodsWe enrolled 26 participants who were part of a larger study of impulsivity to take part in a real-world, continuous mobile sensing study over 21 days on both Apple operating system (iOS) and Android platforms. The mobile sensing system (mPulse) collected data from call logs, battery charging, and screen checking. To validate the model, we used mobile sensing features to predict common self-reported impulsivity traits, objective mobile behavioral and cognitive measures, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of state impulsivity and constructs related to impulsive behavior (ie, risk-taking, attention, and affect).ResultsOverall, the findings suggested that passive measures of mobile phone use such as call logs, battery charging, and screen checking can predict different facets of trait and state impulsivity and impulsive behavior. For impulsivity traits, the models significantly explained variance in sensation seeking, planning, and lack of perseverance traits but failed to explain motor, urgency, lack of premeditation, and attention traits. Passive sensing features from call logs, battery charging, and screen checking were particularly useful in explaining and predicting trait-based sensation seeking. On a daily level, the model successfully predicted objective behavioral measures such as present bias in delay discounting tasks, commission and omission errors in a cognitive attention task, and total gains in a risk-taking task. Our models also predicted daily EMA questions on positivity, stress, productivity, healthiness, and emotion and affect. Perhaps most intriguingly, the model failed to predict daily EMA designed to measure previous-day impulsivity using face-valid questions.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated the potential for developing trait and state impulsivity phenotypes and detecting impulsive behavior from everyday mobile phone sensors. Limitations of the current research and suggestions for building more precise passive sensing models are discussed.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03006653; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03006653

Impulsivity, Lack of Premeditation, and Debts in Online Gambling Disorder.

Background and Objectives: Gambling disorder (GD) is a recurrent and persistent problematic gambling behavior that impairs multiple areas of an individual's life. GD can persist through two modes: online or offline. This study aims to compare sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics between treatment-seeking online and offline gamblers and analyze the effect of the gambling mode (online or offline) on anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and debts.Methods: Seventy-nine treatment-seeking gamblers (96.2% males), who were simultaneously receiving treatment at a specialized Pathological Gambling and Behavioral Addictions Unit, participated in this study. The sample was divided into two subsamples: online (n = 29, 100% males) and offline (n = 50, 94% males); the characteristics of these two groups were compared and analyzed using Chi-Square test (χ2), t-Test or Mann–Whitney U-test (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effects of gambling mode on significant variables (lack of premeditation and debts).Results: The online sample with a mean age of 29.4 years mainly chose to engage in sports betting (45%, p < 0.05) and showed a higher lack of premeditation levels (25.8 points, p < 0.05) than the offline sample. In addition, the online sample was younger with respect to their onset to gambling (20.2 years, p < 0.05) and the beginning of their gambling problems (25 years, p < 0.05) compared to the offline sample. Online gambling increased the levels of lack of premeditation by an average of 5.43 points compared to offline gambling (p < 0.05). Accumulated debts of the online sample were lower (€11,000) than those of the offline sample (€12,000). However, the interaction between age and gambling mode revealed that online gamblers increased their debt amounts with age at an average increase of €2,726.33 per year compared to offline gamblers (p < 0.05). No significant influence of gambling mode was found on GD severity, anxiety, and depression levels.Conclusions: Gambling mode has a significant relationship with lack of premeditation—a component of impulsivity—and accumulation of debts in treatment-seeking people with GD; however, no relationship was found with the rest of the variables analyzed. Future research with larger samples is needed to confirm these findings.

A test of the pathway model of problematic smartphone use.

Background and aims Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been described as a growing public health issue. In the current study, we aimed to provide a unique and comprehensive test of the pathway model of PSU. This model posits three distinct developmental pathways leading to PSU: (1) the excessive reassurance pathway, (2) the impulsive pathway and (3) the extraversion pathway. Methods Undergraduate students ( n = 795, 69.8% female, mean age = 23.80 years, sd = 3.02) completed online self-report measures of PSU (addictive use, antisocial use and dangerous use) and the psychological features (personality traits and psychopathological symptoms) underlying the three pathways. ResultsBayesian analyses revealed that addictive use is mainly driven by the excessive reassurance pathway and the impulsive pathway, for which candidate etiopathological factors include heightened negative urgency, a hyperactive behavioural inhibition system and symptoms of social anxiety. Dangerous and antisocial use are mainly driven by the impulsive pathway and the extraversion pathway, for which candidate etiopathological factors include specific impulsivity components (lack of premeditation and sensation seeking) and primary psychopathy (inclination to lie, lack of remorse, callousness and manipulativeness).Discussion and conclusionsThe present study constitutes the first comprehensive test of the pathway model of PSU. We provide robust and original results regarding the psychological dimensions associated with each of the postulated pathways of PSU, which should be taken into account when considering regulation of smartphone use or tailoring prevention protocols to reduce problematic usage patterns.

Facets of Impulsivity in Relation to Diet Quality and Physical Activity in Adolescence.

Although the construct of impulsivity has generally been found to be associated with obesity and health behaviors in adults, research among adolescents is more limited and studies have yet to elucidate which facets of impulsivity may be most salient with regard to different eating and physical activity behaviors. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study assessed facets of impulsivity, measured by the UPPS-P questionnaire, in relation to health behaviors among adolescents. A sample of 2797 high school students from Los Angeles, California completed self-report measures during the ninth grade. The UPPS-P subscales (i.e., (lack of) premeditation, sensation seeking, (lack of) perseverance, negative urgency, positive urgency) were examined as predictors of unhealthy diet quality (i.e., frequency of consumption of high-fat foods and sweet food and drinks, measured by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Quick Food Scan) and frequency of vigorous physical activity (measured by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System). Greater sensation seeking, positive urgency, and negative urgency was associated with greater unhealthy diet quality (ps < 0.001). Greater negative urgency and lack of perseverance was associated with less frequent vigorous physical activity, whereas greater sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and positive urgency was associated with more frequent vigorous physical activity (ps < 0.05). While negative urgency (i.e., impulsivity in the context of negative emotions) was consistently associated with poor health behaviors, other facets of impulsivity may potentiate vigorous physical activity in youth. Together these findings underscore the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of impulsivity in relation to adolescents’ health behaviors and highlight areas for future longitudinal research.

Buying-Shopping Disorder among Women: The Role of Vulnerability to Marketing, Buying Motives, Impulsivity, and Self-Esteem

Introduction: The influence of marketing on addictive behaviours has been studied among tobacco and alcohol users. Although the fashion industry is highly influenced by marketing, research has poorly studied vulnerability to fashion marketing as a factor related to buying-shopping disorder (BSD) while considering psychological characteristics (buying motives, impulsivity, and self-esteem). Objective: The objective of the present work is to investigate the relationship between vulnerability to marketing and BSD. Methods: Women (n = 242) were exclusively recruited through social networking. They completed an online survey exploring the severity of BSD using the Compulsive Buying Scale (CBS) and the psychological factors associated with BSD (impulsivity, self-esteem, and buying motives) and an experimental task designed to investigate the intention to purchase in several situations, where marketing modalities such as price, brand, and packaging fluctuate. Results: Among the 242 participants in the study, 34 were identified as compulsive buyers (14%). Income level was considered, and compulsive buyers displayed a higher level of vulnerability to marketing, except for the packaging modality. High levels of positive urgency, lack of premeditation, and coping motivation were found to be significant predictors of the CBS score, but vulnerability to marketing was not. Discussion and Conclusions: Compulsive buyers seem to be more sensitive to marketing strategies, although vulnerability to marketing was not identified as a predictor of the severity of BSD. Given the enormous literature on the role of marketing in other addictive behaviours, further studies are needed to better understand the role of marketing in BSD to develop appropriate public health policies.

Multidimensional elements of impulsivity as shared and unique risk factors for food addiction and alcohol misuse

Food addiction (FA) and alcohol misuse tend to co-occur, which suggests shared factors in the etiology and persistence of these health behaviors. One shared factor that has been linked to both is impulsivity, a multidimensional construct reflecting multiple facets of self-regulatory capacity. However, co-occurrence also raises issues of possible confounding if both domains are not considered concurrently, and the intersection between FA, alcohol misuse, and impulsivity has not been well characterized empirically. Therefore, the current study examined the intersection of FA, alcohol consequences, and multiple indicators of impulsivity. Participants were emerging adults reporting regular heavy episodic drinking recruited from Hamilton, Ontario (N = 730; ages 19.5–23). Participants completed measures of FA, alcohol problems, impulsive personality traits (i.e., Barratt Impulsiveness Scales, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scales), impulsive choice (i.e., delay discounting), impulsive action (i.e., Go/NoGo task). Findings revealed a significant association between FA and alcohol-related consequences and both shared similar associations with specific impulsive personality traits (Positive and Negative Urgency, Lack of Premeditation, Motor and Attentional Impulsivity). However, alcohol-related consequences were uniquely associated with other impulsive personality traits (Lack of Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Non-planning impulsivity) and impulsive choice, and FA was uniquely associated with impulsive action. Beyond alcohol-related consequences, FA was associated with additional variance in measures of impulsive personality traits (Positive and Negative Urgency, Lack of Premeditation, Motor Impulsivity, and Attentional Impulsivity) and impulsive action, but not impulsive choice. Overall, the current study reveals several common self-regulatory processes associated with both adverse drinking consequences and FA, and that the risk of inadvertent confounding appears to be limited.

Trait impulsivity and health risk behaviors: A latent profile analysis

Substance use and risky sexual behavior are negative health outcomes associated with the heterogeneous construct of impulsivity and emerging adulthood. The present study appears to be the first to examine how different facets of impulsive personality may be used to depict various profiles that differentially predict engagement in substance use and risky sexual behavior. Specifically, this study extends previous research by providing a comprehensive examination of impulsivity profiles in relation to various health risk outcomes via negative urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking, and positive urgency. Participants (N = 599) completed the Short Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency Scale (SUPPS-P), the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), and the Student Sexual Risks Scale (SSRS). Impulsivity profiles were examined using latent profile analysis in which varying degrees of the SUPPS-P facets were grouped together based on participant response patterns. Results of latent profile analyses indicated an optimal 5-profile solution (low total impulsivity, moderate total impulsivity, high lack of premeditation/lack of perseverance facets, moderate positive urgency/negative urgency/sensation seeking facets, high positive urgency/negative urgency/sensation seeking facets).

A randomized-controlled pilot trial of an online compassionate mind training intervention to help people with chronic pain avoid analgesic misuse.

Problematic use of prescribed and over-the-counter analgesics is widespread and increasing among people with chronic pain, but the availability of preventative and treatment services is limited. We evaluated a 21-day online intervention based on compassionate mind training in a prospective, randomized-controlled trial. The participants were 73 adults with concerns about their use of analgesics for chronic pain conditions. Participants completed measures of analgesic use, misuse and dependence, plus self-criticism and self-reassurance (self-inadequacy, self-reassurance, and self-hate), cognitive impulsivity (negative urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, sensation-seeking, and positive urgency) and behavioral impulsivity (delay discounting) at baseline, postintervention, and 1-week postintervention follow-up. Following baseline assessment, participants were randomized to compassionate mind training (CMT; n = 38) or relaxation music (n = 35), both delivered online. No adverse events or safety issues were reported and high participant retention and exercise completion rates showed that the intervention was acceptable to participants. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that by comparison with relaxation music, the CMT group had reduced prescription analgesic use, F = 6.123, p = .015, analgesic dependence, F = 14.322, p < .001, self-hate, F = 12.218, p < .001, negative urgency, F = 7.323, p = .006, and lack of perseverance, F = 7.453, p = .001, from baseline to postintervention, and those improvements were maintained at follow-up. The results show that exercises based on CMT principles and techniques and delivered online can reduce analgesic use, risk of analgesic dependence, and some aspects of self-criticism and impulsivity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Impulsivity and Mindfulness among Inpatients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Background: Impulsivity is both a risk factor for and a consequence of alcohol use disorder (AUD), for which mindfulness-based approaches have been proven to be effective. However, the specific relationship between mindfulness and impulsivity has been little explored in the literature, especially in people with AUD. This study aims to investigate the relationship between different facets of dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity among people with AUD in an inpatient setting in Brazil. Methods: Participants (n = 165) completed the following self-report measures: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), and the Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (SUPPS-P). Multiple imputation techniques and linear models were employed to assess the relationships between dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity. Results: In complete case analysis, the UPPS-P facet “lack of premeditation” was inversely related to the FFMQ facet “non-reactivity” (B = −0.17; p = 0.01); and “positive urgency” was inversely related to “act with awareness” (B = −0.27, p = 0.02) and “non-reactivity” (B = −0.17, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Relationships of varying magnitudes between dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity domains among people with AUD were found, suggesting that higher mindfulness skills are related to less impulsive traits. Our results encourage further longitudinal studies evaluating the potential of specific mindfulness components to decrease impulsivity among AUD inpatients, including its underlying mechanisms.

Early Life Trauma, Suicide Ideation, and Suicide Attempts: The Role of Rumination and Impulsivity

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young adults in the United States. One of the many risk factors for suicide includes exposure to early life trauma. The present study examined whether rumination and impulsivity play a role in the relationship between early life trauma and increased risk for suicidal behavior (i.e., suicide ideation and suicide attempts) among 426 young adults. Early life trauma was associated with brooding, reflective rumination, and impulsivity in the form of negative urgency. Current or recent suicide ideators self-reported greater early life trauma, ruminative thinking, and impulsivity than non-ideators and non-attempters. Further, a multinomial logistic regression found that early life trauma, reflection, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance were associated with higher odds of reporting suicide ideation in the previous 6 months. We also found indirect relationships between early life trauma and suicide ideation through brooding or reflection and lack of perseverance in serial mediation analyses. These findings suggest that early life trauma may increase risk of suicide ideation to the degree that it leads to ruminative thinking and lack of follow-through with difficult tasks. How early life trauma might increase risk for ruminative thinking, impulsivity, and subsequent suicidal behavior is discussed.

Reliability and validity of a short Japanese version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale

ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the S-UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale. This is expected to facilitate comparisons of findings between international and Japanese samples in studies of impulsivity. MethodsTwo surveys were conducted. In the first survey, 632 participants, aged 20–44 years old, completed a translated version of the Japanese S-UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the Motor Impulsiveness Scale, a short form of the Big-Five scale, the short Grit scale, and the brief version of the self-control scale. Two weeks later, the second survey containing the S-UPPS-P and the motor impulsiveness scale were completed by 450 participants who had completed the first survey to examine test-retest reliability. ResultsIn the first survey, an exploratory factor analysis was performed on the S-UPPS-P responses. A four-factor solution was the most suitable solution, with the factors of “Lack of Perseverance,” “Lack of Premeditation,” “Sensation Seeking,” and “Negative-Positive Urgency.” Then, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed. The conformity index of the original five-factor model was slightly better than that of the four-factor model. We also compared the five-factor model’s conformity index with three other models that had been examined in the original and other foreign language versions of the S-UPPS-P. The five-interrelated factor model had the best model fit. The reliability of the five scales was confirmed. The scales exhibited internal consistency with α coefficients ranging from 0.65 to 0.79, in addition to the test-retest reliability ranging from 0.74 to 0.80. The convergent validity of each S-UPPS-P scale was supported by high relationships with the four personality scales, with the highest correlation coefficients ranging from 0.37 to −0.67. ConclusionThe reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the S-UPPS-P were confirmed, despite the minor limitations of the exploratory factor analysis providing a four-factor solution instead of a five-factor solution, and the α reliability coefficients of two scales being acceptable but rather low. Thus, comparisons of findings between international and Japanese studies on impulsivity could be facilitated.

Impulsivity facets and cognitive distortions associated with problem gambling: Differences between ADHD and non-ADHD gamblers

ObjectiveTo compare the association between (1) impulsivity facets or cognitive distortions, and (2) problem gambling between male gamblers with versus without self-reported Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). MethodIn 287 male gamblers recruited online, we assessed problem gambling (South Oaks Gambling Screen; cut-off≥3), Adult ADHD Self-report Scale-V1.1 (ADHD), impulsivity facets (UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale-short version) and gambling-related cognitions (Gambling-Related Cognitions Scale). ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported ADHD was 21.6%. In both ADHD and non-ADHD groups, problem gambling was associated with negative urgency, positive urgency and the same cognitive distortions. Sensation seeking and lack of premeditation were associated with problem gambling, but only in non-ADHD gamblers (significant interaction effect). ConclusionDifferent impulsivity facets, but not different cognitive distortions, are associated with problem gambling in male gamblers with or without ADHD. Emotion dysregulation (positive and negative urgency) and cognitive distortions are involved in both groups, but sensation seeking and lack of premeditation may be specific to non-ADHD problem gamblers.

The relationship of the UPPS model of impulsivity on bulimic symptoms and non-suicidal self-injury in transgender youth

ObjectiveThis brief report examined the relationship of negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly in response to negative emotional states), (lack of) perseverance, (lack of) premeditation, and sensation seeking in association with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and symptoms of bulimia nervosa (BN) in a sample of treatment-seeking transgender (TG) youth. MethodEighty-six TG youth with a mean age of 17 (sd = 3.2) agreed to participate in the study. The majority of our sample identified as TG male (n = 60) with 20 participants identifying as TG female and 6 identifying as non-binary. The racial ethnic breakdown of our sample was 8.2% Black, 8.2% Multi-racial, 1.2% Native American, and 82.4% White. Over ¼ of our sample endorsed at least one episode of objective binge eating in the last 28 days and 62% endorsed a history of NSSI. ResultsNegative urgency was significantly associated with the odds of NSSI, objective binge eating, and general eating disorder symptoms. Lack of premeditation was significantly related to the odds of NSSI only. No other factors were significantly associated with NSSI or symptoms of BN. ConclusionsNegative urgency appears to be an important personality construct in understanding increased risk for NSSI and BN symptoms in transgender youth.

Influence of childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms on impulsivity: focusing on differences according to the dimensions of impulsivity

ABSTRACT Background Impulsivity, a trait and multidimensional construct, is associated with a wide range of impulsive behaviours. Although it is well documented that childhood trauma (CT) affects impulsivity, few studies examine whether its effects depend on particular dimensions of impulsivity and the role post-traumatic stress symptoms play in the relationship between childhood trauma and different dimensions of impulsivity. Objective This research aims to explore the relationships between CT, PTSD, and impulsivity in a heterogeneous clinical sample. We also sought to examine whether the influence of CT on impulsivity differs across the dimensions of impulsivity. Method We investigated the relationships between CT, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and five dimensions of impulsivity using a sample of 162 non-psychotic psychiatric patients without neurocognitive diagnoses. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES), and the UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale (UPPS-P). Results The results of structural equation modelling showed that CT is associated with PTSD symptoms, in addition to four of the five dimensions of impulsivity in the UPPS-P:positive urgency, negative urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance. The indirect effect of CT through PTSD symptoms was significant only for the two types of urgency. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that interventions that aim to alleviate impulsive behaviour derived from high urgency should pay particular attention to the presence of CT and PTSD symptoms.

Cognitive effort investment and opportunity costs in strategic decision-making: An individual differences examination

People are often more likely to persist with a strategy when more resources have been invested in this course of action, a phenomenon known as the ‘sunk cost’ effect. This effect has been difficult to demonstrate in the domain of real (non-hypothetical) effort investment, and this may be due in part to individual differences in the decision processes. We designed a decision-making task, where a cognitive effort investment is required to enact a strategy, to examine the extent to which individual differences in Need for Cognition (NFC), Lack of Premeditation, and subjective effort perception bear upon decisions to persist with a suboptimal strategy under varying levels of effort investment and opportunity cost—i.e. the difference in utility between persisting with versus switching strategies. We found that NFC and (Lack of) Premeditation predicted the extent to which strategy switch decisions were driven by opportunity costs. While we did not find an overall effect of past behavioral investment effect, self-reported effort (Temporal Demand) appeared to predict susceptibility to sunk cost. We also found a decrease in decision times with increasing sunk costs, but this effect did not appear to differ as a function of the individual differences examined.

Conceptualizing the UPPS-P model of impulsive personality through network analysis: Key dimensions and general robustness across young adulthood.

Within the UPPS-P model of impulsive personality, negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking dimensions have been linked to unique etiological mechanisms and outcomes. Yet, additional research is needed exploring direct relations among dimensions to determine how these relations may contribute to the nature of impulsive personality and its correlates. The current study used network analysis to clarify relations among UPPS-P dimensions and assess global robustness of these relations across young adulthood. Participants included a longitudinal sample of 525 college students (48% male, 18-26years) who completed the UPPS-P once per year for three consecutive years. Network structure was globally robust with particularly strong relations emerging between positive and negative urgency, as well as between lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance, across waves. Lack of premeditation consistently emerged as a central dimension. Additional analyses suggested lack of premeditation and sensation seeking as most robustly related with retrospectively reported frequency of alcohol use. Results suggested general robustness in the relations among impulsive personality dimensions, with relations involving lack of premeditation being particularly important for characterizing impulsive personality's nature. Sensation seeking and lack of premeditation may warrant particular focus when linking impulsive personality with frequency of alcohol use.

The role of emotional and instrumental support from parents on facets of emerging adult impulsivity

Supportive systems during emerging adulthood play an important role in assisting emerging adults with emotion regulation and decision-making processes. The current study examined the influence of parent (i.e., maternal and paternal) emotional and instrumental support on different facets of impulsivity (i.e., positive urgency, negative urgency, sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance) in the context of gender differences. Results of path analysis suggested maternal instrumental support related to improved cognitive control systems (i.e., negatively related to lack of perseverance and premeditation) in women and improved socioemotional systems (i.e., negatively related to positive and negative urgency) in men. Paternal instrumental support related to improved cognitive control systems (i.e., negatively related to lack of perseverance and lack of premeditation) in emerging adult men. Instrumental support, rather than emotional support, of emerging adult children may be particularly important to facilitating cognitive control and socioemotional development.

Discrimination of Dark Triad traits using the UPPS-P model of impulsivity

The Dark Triad personality traits–Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy–were originally defined as separate concepts sharing socially aversive qualities. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that these personality concepts, in particular Machiavellianism and psychopathy, cannot be discriminated. In the present study, we attempt to examine whether Dark Triad traits are discriminated by the Urgency, (lack of) Premeditation, (lack of) Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) model, a multidimensional model of impulsivity. We tested whether each dimension of the UPPS-P measure of impulsivity showed different associations with each Dark Triad trait. The results showed that psychopathy was positively related to all UPPS-P impulsivity dimensions while Machiavellianism was negatively related to Lack of Perseverance and Lack of Premeditation. Furthermore, narcissism was negatively associated with Lack of Perseverance and positively associated with Sensation Seeking. Thus, the present study demonstrated that Dark Triad traits can be distinguished by the UPPS-P impulsivity model. Future research investigating the relationship between Dark Triad traits and impulsivity is discussed.

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.

Executive Functions and Impulsivity Are Genetically Distinct and Independently Predict Psychopathology: Results From Two Adult Twin Studies

Laboratory executive function (EF) constructs, such as response inhibition, are often conceptually linked with self-report measures of impulsivity, yet their empirical correlations are low. We examined, in two twin studies (Ns=749 and 761 individuals with EF data), the phenotypic and genetic overlap of three EF latent variables (a Common EF factor predicting response inhibition, working memory updating, and mental set shifting tasks, and Updating- and Shifting-specific factors) with five impulsivity dimensions (negative and positive urgency, lack of premeditation and perseverance, and sensation seeking). In both samples, impulsivity dimensions only modestly correlated phenotypically (rs= -.20-.11) and genetically (rAs= -.44-.04) with Common EF. In both samples, Common EF and multiple impulsivity dimensions, particularly negative urgency, independently predicted Externalizing psychopathology, and multiple impulsivity dimensions, but not Common EF, predicted Internalizing psychopathology. These results suggest that EFs and self-reported impulsivity tap different aspects of control that are both relevant for psychopathology.