Rash Impulsiveness Research Articles

The role of decision-making and impulsivity in beverage consumption

Soft drink and alcohol consumption have become significant public health issues. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of decision-making processes in the relationship between trait impulsivity and calorie dense beverage consumption. Participants comprised a community sample of 300 adults (aged 19–75). They completed self-report measures assessing impulsivity (SUPPS-P), reward sensitivity (RST-PQ), and participated in decision-making tasks related to risk propensity (BART), short-term strategy preference (IGT), and delay discounting rate. Beverage consumption was calculated using the BEVQ-15. Impulsivity was conceptualised within the framework of the two-factor model as consisting of rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity. Both facets of impulsivity were positively associated with both alcohol and soft drink consumption, and each independently predicted consumption of these beverages. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity on soft drink consumption. Importantly, there were significant indirect effects of both rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity on soft drink consumption via delay discounting. The results support the logic of the two-factor model of impulsivity in the prediction of consumption of unhealthy beverages. Furthermore, the mediating role of delay discounting supports the hypothesis that personality traits can pass through to behaviour via decision-making processes. Further research should extend these findings to other consumption domains in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

Cluster-b personality disorder traits and impulsivity: Indirect associations with alcohol use severity through positive alcohol expectancies.

Prior theory and research suggest that both Cluster-B personality pathology and trait impulsivity are indirectly associated with alcohol use through positive alcohol expectancies. Yet, no prior study has investigated whether features of each of the Cluster-B personality disorders (PDs) (i.e., antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic) and rash impulsiveness are indirectly associated with alcohol use severity through positive alcohol expectancies. In a cross-sectional design, social drinkers (N = 200; 51% female; Mage = 26 years) completed self-report measures of trait (rash) impulsivity, Cluster-B personality disorder (PD) traits, positive alcohol expectancies, and alcohol use severity. Simple and serial mediation analyses were used to test positive alcohol expectancies and the association between trait impulsivity and alcohol expectancies as potential mediators of personality disorder trait relations with alcohol use severity. Simple mediation analyses evidenced that trait impulsivity and traits specific to each of the Cluster-B (PDs) were indirectly associated with alcohol use severity through positive alcohol expectancies. Serial mediation analyses further evidenced that the Cluster-B (PD) traits were indirectly associated with alcohol use severity via positive alcohol expectancies both uniquely from and together with trait impulsivity. Current findings are novel and suggest that positive alcohol expectancies may be important to connecting the rashly impulsive aspects of Cluster-B (PDs) with greater alcohol use severity. However, current findings also suggest that features of the Cluster-B (PDs) probably increase risk for alcohol use disorder due to other reasons (e.g., other aspects of personality or forms of impulsivity). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Reward Drive Moderates the Effect of Depression-Related Cognitive Mechanisms on Risk of Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Patients With Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

Depression, a prognostic factor for prescription opioid misuse commonly occurs in people with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). However, the mechanisms linking depression and prescription opioid misuse remain unclear. This study examined the potential mediating role of pain catastrophizing in the association between depressive symptoms and prescription opioid misuse risk, and impulsivity traits as possible moderators of these relationships. Individuals (N = 198; 77% women) with CNCP using prescription opioids participated in a cross-sectional online survey with validated measures of depression, pain catastrophizing, rash impulsiveness, reward drive, anxiety, pain severity and prescription opioid misuse. Meditation analyses with percentile-based bootstrapping examined pathways to prescription opioid use, controlling for age, sex, pain severity, and anxiety symptoms. Partial moderated mediation of the indirect effect of depressive symptoms on prescription opioid misuse risk through pain catastrophizing by rash impulsiveness and reward drive were estimated. Pain catastrophizing mediated depressive symptoms and prescription opioid misuse risk. Indirect effects were stronger when moderate to high levels of reward drive were included in the model. Findings suggest the risk of prescription opioid misuse in those experiencing depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing is particularly higher for those higher in reward drive. Treatments targeting these mechanisms may reduce opioid misuse risk. PerspectiveThis article identifies reward drive as a potentially important factor increasing the effects of depression-related cognitive mechanisms on risk of prescription opioid misuse in those with CNCP. These findings could assist in personalizing clinical CNCP management to reduce the risks associated with opioid misuse.

Reduction of symptom after a combined behavioral intervention for reward sensitivity and rash impulsiveness in internet gaming disorder: A comparative study

Impulsivity is both a core symptom and a key psychological mechanism in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), and therefore interventions for impulsivity in IGD have both theoretical and practical value. However, previous related interventions only tended to focus on a single factor of impulsivity and achieved inconsistent results. In this study, based on the theory of two-factor model of impulsivity (reward sensitivity and rash impulsiveness), four groups of IGD subjects were recruited to investigate whether there were different effects of single rash impulsiveness or reward sensitivity intervention versus a combined intervention. By comparing the different factors of impulsivity of the four groups before and after a 15-day intervention, the results showed that: (1) compared with the control group, subjects in the Go/No-go training group only had a significantly lower level of rash impulsiveness, subjects in the Stimulus-Response Compatibility (SRC) training group only had a significantly lower level of reward sensitivity, and subjects in the combined training group had significantly lower levels of both impulsivity; (2) among the three intervention groups, only the subjects in the combined training group had significantly lower IGD scores in the follow-up measure. This study indicated that the behavioral training of Go/No-go and SRC were effective in improving rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity in IGD, respectively, but the intervention effect of the combined training was better than that of the single training.

The role of rash impulsivity and sensitivity to reward in soft drink consumption

Soft drink consumption has become a major public health issue. The present study aimed to examine the role of rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity in soft drink consumption using the two-factor model of impulsivity. Participants were a community sample of 229 adults (19–77 years). They completed self-report measures of impulsivity (SUPPS–P), reward sensitivity (RST-PQ) and beverage consumption (BEVQ-15). A principal component analysis was used to produce purer measures of rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity. Both rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity were positively associated with soft drink consumption, and each independently predicted soft drink consumption. Importantly, there was a significant interaction between the two, whereby rash impulsivity moderated the effect of reward sensitivity on soft drink consumption. The results support the logic of the two-factor model of impulsivity in the prediction of soft drink consumption. Further research should extend these findings to other consumption domains in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

Impulsivity and compulsivity as parallel mediators of emotion dysregulation in eating‐related addictive‐like behaviors, alcohol use, and compulsive exercise

IntroductionTransdiagnostically relevant psychological traits associated with psychiatric disorders are increasingly being researched, notably in substance use and addictive behaviors. We investigated whether emotion dysregulation mediated by impulsivity and/or compulsivity could explain variance in binge eating, food addiction, self‐starvation, and compulsive exercise, as well as alcohol use (addictive‐like behaviors relevant to the obesity and eating disorder fields).MethodA general population sample of adults (N = 500, mean age = 32.5 years), females (n = 376) and males (n = 124), completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale‐16, the Trait Rash Impulsivity Scale, the Obsessive‐Compulsive Inventory—Revised, the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, the Self‐Starvation Scale, the Exercise Dependence Scale, the Yale Food Addiction Scale, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test online. Besides gender comparisons and intercorrelations between measures, we used predefined multiple mediation models with emotion dysregulation as independent variable, impulsivity and compulsivity as parallel mediators, to investigate whether these factors contributed explanatory power to each addictive‐like behavior as outcome, also using age and body mass index as covariates.ResultsFemales scored higher than males on emotion dysregulation and the eating‐related addictive‐like behaviors food addiction, self‐starvation, and binge eating. Intercorrelations between measures showed that emotion dysregulation and compulsivity were associated with all outcome variables, impulsivity with all except compulsive exercise, and the eating‐related behaviors intercorrelated strongly. Mediation models showed full or partial mediation of emotion dysregulation for all behaviors, especially via compulsivity, suggesting a behavior‐specific pattern. Mediation models were not affected by age or gender.DiscussionAddictive‐like behaviors seemed to be maintained by trait levels of emotion dysregulation, albeit channeled via trait levels of compulsivity and/or impulsivity. The role of emotion dysregulation may help us to understand why addictive‐like behaviors can be difficult to change in both clinical and nonclinical groups, and may be informative for treatment‐planning in patients where these behaviors are present. Our findings support adopting a more dimensional approach to psychiatric classification by focusing psychological facets such as those studied.

Alexithymia, rash impulsiveness, and reward sensitivity in relation to symptoms of exercise dependence in physically active young adults

ABSTRACT Objective Exercise dependence refers to excessive exercise accompanied by addiction-like symptoms such as craving, tolerance, withdrawal, impaired control, and disruption of life domains. The present study investigated whether personality traits linked to substance and behavioural addictions show similar associations with symptoms of exercise dependence. Method Alexithymia and two forms of impulsivity, rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity, were assessed in relation to exercise dependence symptoms in a sample of 99 physically active young adult men and women. Results All three traits showed significant positive correlations with exercise dependence symptoms and were significant predictors of such symptoms in a hierarchical regression model. Alexithymia was the strongest predictor and fully mediated the contribution of rash impulsiveness according to bootstrapped mediation analysis. Conclusions Findings suggest similar associations of addiction-linked traits with symptoms of exercise dependence and are discussed in terms of potential mechanisms. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Exercise can become compulsive for some, with exercise dependence defined by addiction-like symptoms. (2) Alexithymia has been implicated as a risk factor for substance and behavioural addictions. (3) Two forms of impulsivity, rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity, have been implicated as risk factors for substance and behavioural addictions. What this topic adds: (1) In physically active young adults, alexithymia was positively associated with symptoms of exercise dependence. (2) In physically active young adults, rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity were positively associated with symptoms of exercise dependence. (3) Alexithymia fully explained the association of rash impulsiveness with exercise dependence symptoms.

The role of rash-impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and reward drive in comorbid disordered eating and substance use disorders

Purpose Substance use disorder (SUD) frequently co-occurs with other psychological conditions, such as eating disorders (EDs). Psychological factors such as emotional dysregulation, rash impulsivity (RI) and reward sensitivity (RS) play a role in the etiology of each disorder, yet little is known about the combined effects of these on comorbid SUDs and EDs or disordered eating behaviours (DEBs). This study aims to examine the role of these psychological factors in comorbid DEBs and SUDs among individuals in treatment for SUDs. The role of gender is tested as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional self-report survey was completed by 131 participants attending Australian residential substance use treatment centres. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of emotional dysregulation, RI and RS on comorbid DEB and SUD. Further, moderation analyses were used to examine the moderating effect for gender on the relationship between these three personality variables and comorbidity. Findings The most commonly reported primary substance of use was alcohol (43.5%), followed by amphetamines (38.6%). Findings showed that emotional dysregulation and RI were significantly related to an increase in comorbidity likelihood; however, RS was not. Gender moderated the relationship between comorbidity and RI only. Originality/value The significant positive relationship found between RI and comorbidity for females only was a novel finding for the current study. Further research is needed to develop an understanding of the etiology of comorbidity.

From BIS to binge: The role of negative affect in the pathway between personality and binge eating

Recent research has highlighted the utility of using revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) to further understand the individual differences that influence binge eating behaviours. The current study draws on both RST and theoretical models that implicate negative affect in binge eating, with the aim of identifying indirect pathways between individual differences in RST systems and binge eating as mediated through negative affect. Undergraduate students (n = 229, M = 22.67 years of age, SD = 8.95, 76% female) completed self-report measures of revised reinforcement sensitivities, negative affect and binge eating symptoms. Bootstrapped tests of indirect effects showed that negative affect mediated the pathway between the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and binge eating symptoms. Additionally, negative affect mediated the pathway between rash impulsivity and binge eating symptoms. This study supports and extends previous research by highlighting the experience of negative affect as a possible mechanism through which heightened BIS and rash impulsivity leads to binge eating.

The essential role of theory in minimizing harm from emerging technologies. Lost in committee?. •.

A coherent framework for addressing risk arising from new technologies is needed. In proposing a framework of broad application and future focus, where empirical evidence is scarce, reliance on strong theory becomes all the more important. Some technologies are more prone to excessive engagement than others (i.e. more addictive). Some users are also more susceptible to excessive engagement than others. Impulsivity theory emphasises the importance of reinforcement magnitude in determining the risk associated with a new technology, and that an individual's sensitivity to reinforcement (reward drive) and capacity to inhibit previously reinforced behaviour (rash impulsiveness) determines their susceptibility to problematic engagement. Online gaming provides a good example of how such theory can be applied to facilitate intervention efforts and develop policy.

Rash impulsivity, reward seeking and fear of missing out as predictors of texting while driving: Indirect effects via mobile phone involvement

Young drivers exhibit high levels of risky driving behaviour, including texting while driving (TWD). The aim of this study was to examine the influence of personality (rash impulsivity, reward seeking), fear of missing out (FOMO) and mobile phone involvement (MPI) on frequency of TWD. Six hundred and twelve young drivers aged 17 to 24 years completed an online survey including these measures, and frequency of sending and reading TWD in the prior week. Rash impulsivity and reward seeking, as well as MPI, predicted both modes of TWD, while FOMO only predicted sending. In addition, rash impulsivity, reward seeking and FOMO all had significant indirect effects on sending and reading TWD via MPI. Findings highlight the importance of considering indirect relationships of personality via MPI on phone use while driving.

From Impulse to Action? Cognitive Mechanisms of Impulsivity-Related Risk for Externalizing Behavior.

Trait impulsivity is an established risk factor for externalizing behavior problems in adolescence, but little is understood about the cognitive mechanisms involved. Negative automatic thoughts are associated with externalizing behaviors and impulsivity is associated with less cognitive reappraisal. This study sought to adapt the bioSocial Cognitive Theory (bSCT) of impulsivity and substance use (an externalizing behavior) for externalizing behavior in general. It was predicted that only the component of impulsivity characterized by lack of forethought (rash impulsiveness; RI) would be associated with (non-substance use-related) externalizing behaviors, not reward sensitivity/drive. Further, this association would be mediated by negative automatic thoughts. Participants were 404 (226 female, 63%) adolescents from 6 high schools across South-East Queensland (age = 13-17years, mean age = 14.97years, SD = 0.65years) of mostly Australian/New Zealand (76%) or European (11%) descent. Participants completed self-report measures of impulsivity, negative automatic thoughts, and externalizing behaviors. Path analysis revealed that, as predicted, only RI was uniquely associated with negative automatic thoughts and externalizing behaviors. However, only negative automatic thoughts centered around hostility mediated the positive association between RI and externalizing behaviors, with the indirect mediation effect being smaller than the direct association. In contrast to substance use, only one component of impulsivity, RI, was associated with general adolescent externalizing behavior. Hostile automatic thoughts may be an important mechanism of risk, supporting a role for cognitive-behavioral interventions. Other biopsychosocial mechanisms are clearly involved and the bSCT may provide a useful framework to guide future research.

Impulsivity traits and Facebook addiction in young people and the potential mediating role of coping styles

Impulsivity traits are important predictors of substance use problems and behavioural addictions such as online gaming. However, little is known about to what extent the two related neuropsychological systems of rash impulsiveness and reward drive contribute to Facebook addiction, or the mechanisms of impulsivity risk. The aim of this study was to examine the role of emotion-focused and avoidance coping as potential mediators of the link between rash impulsiveness and Facebook addiction, while controlling for reward drive. Participants (N = 244) were young people aged 18–25 years recruited from the first-year undergraduate research participant pool and via convenience sampling which involved the first author sharing the study on his Facebook page. Participants completed online, validated measures of Facebook addiction, emotion-focused and avoidant coping styles, rash impulsiveness and reward drive. Results showed that when controlling for reward drive, emotion-focused coping mediated the association between rash impulsiveness and Facebook addiction. Results also showed that rash impulsiveness but not reward drive was directly associated with Facebook addiction. These findings have implications for designing targeted cognitive behavioural treatments that consider biologically-based personality factors such as rash impulsiveness and cognitive factors such as emotion-focused coping to reduce harmful levels of Facebook addiction.

Craving mediates the effect of impulsivity on lapse-risk during alcohol use disorder treatment

Rash impulsiveness, the propensity for approach behaviour despite potential negative consequences, is associated with stronger alcohol craving in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This relationship is poorly understood and implications for treatment response are unexamined. This study explored the relationship between rash impulsiveness, craving, and treatment response among 304 outpatients enrolled in a 12-week abstinence-based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program for AUD. Assessments were completed pre-and-post treatment, with craving and alcohol consumption monitored at each treatment session. Higher rash impulsiveness predicted more frequent craving over treatment (b = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.40, 1.50). Higher craving was associated with greater lapse-risk (b = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.05), with the association between craving and lapse-risk increasing as treatment progressed (b = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.02). Craving positively mediated the relationship between rash impulsiveness and lapse-risk (µ = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.70). Contrary to hypotheses, the risk of lapse in response to craving was not moderated by rash-impulsiveness. These results suggest that AUD patients with a predisposition for rash impulsiveness are more vulnerable to alcohol craving, and subsequently, poorer treatment outcomes.

Testing the biosocial cognitive model of substance use in cannabis users referred to treatment

Background: The bioSocial Cognitive Theory (bSCT) hypothesizes two pathways linking dimensions of impulsivity to substance use. The first predicts that the association between reward sensitivity and substance use is mediated by positive outcome expectancies. The second predicts that the relationship between rash impulsiveness and substance use is mediated by refusal self-efficacy. This model has received empirical support in studies of alcohol use. The present research provides the first application of bSCT to a cannabis treatment population and aims to extend its utility to understanding cannabis use and severity of dependence.Design: 273 patients referred for cannabis treatment completed a clinical assessment that contained measures of interest.Setting: A public hospital alcohol and drug clinic.Measurements: The Sensitivity to Reward Scale, Dysfunctional Impulsivity Scale, Cannabis Expectancy Questionnaire, Cannabis Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and Severity of Dependence Scale–Cannabis were completed, along with measures of cannabis consumption.Findings: The bSCT model provided a good fit to the data for cannabis use and severity of dependence outcomes. The association between reward sensitivity and each cannabis outcome was fully mediated by positive cannabis expectancies and cannabis refusal self-efficacy. The relationship between rash impulsiveness and each cannabis outcome was fully mediated by cannabis refusal self-efficacy.Conclusions: Findings support the application of the bSCT model to cannabis use and dependence severity and highlight the important role of social cognitive mechanisms in understanding the association between impulsivity traits and these outcomes. The differential association of impulsivity traits to social cognition may assist targeted treatment efforts.

Impulsivity facets and substance use initiation: A comparison of two models of impulsivity

Several types of impulsivity have been linked to various substance use outcomes. The UPPS-P framework has received major focus within the field of substance use research. However, this framework is not without limitation. An alternative framework is the Two-Factor Model of impulsivity, which posits that rash impulsivity and reward drive are the central, if not sufficient, domains of impulsivity. Unfortunately, the extant literature is quite limited in terms of work that have directly compared the UPPS-P framework to the Two-Factor Model of impulsivity, particularly in prospective designs focused on the initiation of common, problematic forms of substance use among adolescents (i.e., alcohol and marijuana use). In the current study, the UPPS-P measures were compared to dedicated measures of the Two-Factor Model of impulsivity in a sample of Chilean adolescents who were lifetime abstainers of alcohol or marijuana use at baseline (N = 541) to predict the initiation of use for these substances at a one-year follow-up. Results showed that the Two-Factor Model had superior predictive utility compared to the UPPS-P measures, and only rash impulsivity and reward drive were significant predictors in a multivariate model that simultaneously considered UPPS-P and Two-Factor Model assessments. Overall, the current findings indicate that the Two-Factor Model should be considered to index risk of substance use initiation to guide prevention efforts and highlight the importance of direct comparisons of alternative measurement and theoretical frameworks of impulsivity within the field of substance use research.

Rash Impulsiveness and Negative Mood, but not Alexithymia or Reward Sensitivity, Differentiate Young to Middle-Aged Chronic Daily Smokers from Never-Smokers

ABSTRACTGiven the well-established associations of the personality traits alexithymia, impulsivity, and reward sensitivity with problematic use of a variety of substances, including alcohol and cannabis, the present study sought to determine whether daily tobacco smoking is similarly linked to these traits. Male and female adults aged 18 to 40 years were recruited from the local Australian community, allowing comparison of demographically similar samples of current daily smokers (n = 47) to never-smokers (n = 59) on the relevant self-report measures. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that current smokers scored significantly higher than never-smokers on indices of negative mood, impulsiveness, and risky alcohol use, after controlling for social desirability. No significant group differences were found on indices of alexithymia, reward sensitivity, or punishment sensitivity. Results suggest that chronic daily cigarette smoking may be an exception to the maladaptive behaviors associated with alexithymia, and is driven primarily by mood regulation and poor impulse control.

A biosocial cognitive model of cannabis use in emerging adulthood

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to test a new theoretical model of cannabis use incorporating biologically-based personality traits and social cognition. This biosocial cognitive theory (bSCT) has robust support in alcohol studies, but has not been applied to cannabis. The model proposes two pathways linking dimensions of impulsivity to cannabis use. The first predicts that the association between Reward Sensitivity (SR) and cannabis use is mediated by positive outcome expectancies. The second predicts that the relationship between Rash Impulsiveness (RI) and cannabis use is mediated by cannabis refusal self-efficacy. An extended version of this model was also tested and included a third pathway linking Punishment Sensitivity (SP) to cannabis use via higher negative outcome expectancies. MethodParticipants were 252 18-to-21-year-olds who completed questionnaires assessing cannabis use, personality and social cognition. Theoretical models were tested using structural equation modeling. ResultsThe bSCT model provided a good fit to the data (CFI=0.95; RMSEA=0.07; SRMR=0.06). Positive cannabis expectancies and refusal self-efficacy partially mediated the association between SR and cannabis use (p<0.05). Cannabis refusal self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between RI and cannabis use (p<0.05). The addition of a third SP pathway did not improve model fit. ConclusionsConsistent with alcohol studies, the association between impulsivity and cannabis use is largely mediated by social cognition. The bSCT may provide novel insights to inform prevention and treatment of problematic cannabis use.

Applying a revised two-factor model of impulsivity to predict health behaviour and well-being

Individual differences in reward drive and sensitivity, reward preference, and impulsivity lead some people to seek more frequent, and less healthy reward (e.g., energy-dense foods and illicit substances). Healthy lifestyle choices tend to be associated with higher well-being and overall life satisfaction, yet the links between reward traits, health-related behaviours and well-being remain unclear. The current study investigated the link between reward approach traits, behaviours, and quality of life outcomes in an online panel (n=1619, ages 18–50). Reward drive (RD), based on the revised behavioural activation system (rBAS) was associated with higher overall well-being. This relationship was partially mediated by fruit and vegetable intake, exercise, and volunteering. Rash impulsivity (RI) was positively associated with drug, alcohol and tobacco use, poor diet, lack of sleep and gambling problems; and was also related to lower overall well-being. This relationship was partially mediated by lack of sleep. This suggests that individuals high in RD are likely to enjoy increased levels of overall well-being, partly due to their tendency to engage in healthy behaviours. Those high in RI are more likely to risk their health for hedonic risky pursuits; however, such risky pursuits appear to have little impact on well-being.

‘Not harmless’ messages without comparisons disserve consumers, potential consumers, and public health approaches to tobacco/nicotine products

The aim of this study was to test a new theoretical model of cannabis use incorporating biologically-based personality traits and social cognition. This biosocial cognitive theory (bSCT) has robust support in alcohol studies, but has not been applied to cannabis. The model proposes two pathways linking dimensions of impulsivity to cannabis use. The first predicts that the association between Reward Sensitivity (SR) and cannabis use is mediated by positive outcome expectancies. The second predicts that the relationship between Rash Impulsiveness (RI) and cannabis use is mediated by cannabis refusal self-efficacy. An extended version of this model was also tested and included a third pathway linking Punishment Sensitivity (SP) to cannabis use via higher negative outcome expectancies.Participants were 252 18-to-21-year-olds who completed questionnaires assessing cannabis use, personality and social cognition. Theoretical models were tested using structural equation modeling.The bSCT model provided a good fit to the data (CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.06). Positive cannabis expectancies and refusal self-efficacy partially mediated the association between SR and cannabis use (p < 0.05). Cannabis refusal self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between RI and cannabis use (p < 0.05). The addition of a third SP pathway did not improve model fit.Consistent with alcohol studies, the association between impulsivity and cannabis use is largely mediated by social cognition. The bSCT may provide novel insights to inform prevention and treatment of problematic cannabis use.