Self-report Measures Of Impulsivity Research Articles

Life history of impulsive behavior: Development and validation of a new questionnaire

A self-report version of the Lifetime History of Impulsive Behaviors (LHIB) interview was developed and its psychometric properties examined. Initially, forty-two personality disordered and 20 control subjects completed both the interview (I) and self-report (Q53) versions of the LHIB along with other self-report measures of impulsivity and an assessment of venturesomeness and empathy.The LHIB-Q53 demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and evidence of convergent and divergent validity. The LHIB-Q53 was then simplified to 20 items and administered to a large population-based sample of adults from the community. Following this, it was administered to nearly 400 subjects with or without histories of Axis I and/or II disorders. The latter two studies demonstrated good to excellent psychometric properties as well as evidence of convergent and divergent validity. Since the LHIB quantifies the occurrence of impulsive behaviors, rather than a self-assessment of a personality trait of impulsivity, we propose that the LHIB-Q20 represents a needed additional assessment of impulsivity for behavioral science research.

Spirituality Development for Homeless Youth: A Mindfulness Meditation Feasibility Pilot

Few resilience enhancement interventions are available to help homeless youth at high risk for mental health problems and substance abuse. Mindfulness meditation has demonstrated effectiveness in persons who deal with some of these issues. Our purpose was to examine the feasibility of delivering a spirituality development class—a minimally modified version of Yale University’s 8-session Spiritual Self-Schema (3-S) program—to homeless youth in a shelter in an urban center in the Southeastern United States. We used a quasi-experimental, one group, pre- and post-intervention design with standardized self-report measures of impulsiveness, resilience, spirituality, mental wellness, and psychological symptoms. Seventy-one youth enrolled in the study; 39 of the youth attended at least four sessions of the class and completed the posttest. The spirituality development class was well received by the youth and, overall, participants demonstrated improvement on measures of spirituality, mental wellness, psychological symptoms, and resilience on the posttest. There were no statistically meaningful changes in impulsiveness scores. We concluded that mindfulness meditation programs are feasible for this population. Future studies of high-risk youth should use a randomized controlled trial design to examine the long-term impact of such training on psychological status and behavioral outcomes such as educational path, work attainment, and drug and alcohol abuse.

Effect of Dopamine Transporter Genotype on Intrinsic Functional Connectivity Depends on Cognitive State

Functional connectivity between brain regions can define large-scale neural networks and provide information about relationships between those networks. We examined how relationships within and across intrinsic connectivity networks were 1) sensitive to individual differences in dopaminergic function, 2) modulated by cognitive state, and 3) associated with executive behavioral traits. We found that regardless of cognitive state, connections between frontal, parietal, and striatal nodes of Task-Positive networks (TPNs) and Task-Negative networks (TNNs) showed higher functional connectivity in 10/10 homozygotes of the dopamine transporter gene, a polymorphism influencing synaptic dopamine, than in 9/10 heterozygotes. However, performance of a working memory task (a state requiring dopamine release) modulated genotype differences selectively, such that cross-network connectivity between TPNs and TNNs was higher in 10/10 than 9/10 subjects during working memory but not during rest. This increased cross-network connectivity was associated with increased self-reported measures of impulsivity and inattention traits. By linking a gene regulating synaptic dopamine to a phenotype characterized by inefficient executive function, these findings validate cross-network connectivity as an endophenotype of executive dysfunction.

Reduced genual corpus callosal white matter integrity in pathological gambling and its relationship to alcohol abuse or dependence

Objective. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have demonstrated functional prefrontal cortical (PFC) abnormalities in pathological gambling (PG) and other psychiatric disorders characterized by impaired impulse control; e.g., cocaine dependence and bipolar disorder. These abnormalities are accompanied by impairments in white matter microstructures in the anterior (genual) corpus callosum (CC) in cocaine dependence and bipolar disorder. Prior studies have not examined white matter integrity in PG. We predicted impairments in genual CC white matter in PG. Methods. Nineteen participants with PG and 19 matched control participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to compare white matter integrity in the CC, as assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA). Results. In PG subjects as compared to control subjects, reduced FA values in the left and right genu of the CC were observed. Multiple regression analyses confirmed that PG status – in addition to age and past alcohol abuse/dependence (AA/AD) – was a significant predictor of genual FA values. Among PG participants, left and right genu FA values were negatively correlated with scores on the Behavioral Activation System Fun-Seeking (BAS-FS) subscale. Limitations. Limitations include a reliance on self-report measures of impulsivity and related constructs and a relatively small sample of PG subjects with past AA/AD. Conclusion. Findings of decreased FA values in the genu of the CC in PG subjects suggest that, like with other disorders of behavioral dyscontrol, white matter microstructural abnormalities contribute to the pathophysiology of PG. These differences appear particularly relevant to individuals with remitted AA/AD, highlighting the importance of considering co-occurring substance use disorders when investigating PG.

Effect of executive functioning, decision-making and self-reported impulsivity on the treatment outcome of pathologic gambling

Impairments in self-regulatory behaviour reflect a deficit in executive functioning and decision-making, as well as higher levels of self-reported impulsivity, and may be involved in the development and maintenance of addictive disorders. We sought to explore the association between self-reported impulsivity and neurocognitive measures, and their association with treatment outcome in pathologic gambling. We assessed patients with pathologic gambling using executive functioning and decision-making tests and self-report measures of impulsivity. Patients underwent cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for pathologic gambling. We included 88 patients (8% women) in our study. High self-reported extravagance was associated with poor performance in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT)-ABCD version. High impulsiveness, low disorderliness, high exploratory excitability (trend), poor backward block span and poor IGT-EFGH scores (trend) predicted dropout. We observed no self-reported or neurocognitive predictors of relapse or number of treatment sessions attended. Most participants were slot-machine gamblers seeking treatment. No follow-up data and no control group were included in the study. The missing sample (i.e., individuals who were recruited and assessed in the pretreatment stage but who chose not to begin treatment) had higher extravagance scores than the final sample. Neurocognitive reward sensitivity was related to self-reported overspending behaviour. Self-regulatory impairments (especially rash impulsiveness and punishment sensitivity) and executive dysfunction predicted only dropout of CBT in participants with pathologic gambling. Different neurocognitive processes and personality traits might mediate treatment response to psychological therapy of pathologic gambling according to the specific target variable assessed.

What self-report impulsivity measure best postdicts criminal convictions and prison breaches of discipline?

Impulsivity is the tendency to act with little forethought or regard for the consequences, and greatly influences risk of offending. The ‘What Works’ literature highlights the importance of reliable and accurate assessments of risk and need in offender populations in order to reduce reoffending. There is a lack of consensus regarding the conceptualization of impulsivity and the number of dimensions that constitute the construct, making identification of the most appropriate self-report impulsivity measure problematic. Nevertheless, the predictive validity of different impulsivity measures for antisocial behaviour is well established. This study examined the relative validity of four self-report measures of impulsivity to postdict criminal convictions and prison breaches of discipline for 105 adult male offenders currently incarcerated within UK prisons. The most reliable measure of impulsivity applicable to offender populations was the Eysenck Impulsiveness Questionnaire, which was good for postdicting breaches of prison discipline and violent criminal convictions.

Intolerance to delayed reward in girls with multiple suicide attempts.

Impulsivity has been conceptualized as influencing the expression of suicidal behavior. Adolescence is a developmental period characterized both by a relatively high rate of suicide attempts and a high level of impulsivity. The current study examined two behavioral measures (delay reward and disinhibition) and one self-report measure of impulsivity among girls with suicide attempt histories. Girls with multiple suicide attempts performed more impulsively on measures of delayed reward, and had higher self-ratings of depression and aggression than girls with either one or no suicide attempts. The multiple attempter girls' preference for immediate gratification may directly increase vulnerability to suicidal acts in the context of distressing states or indirectly increase risk by creating poor life experience over time.

Impulsivity in adolescent bipolar disorder

Increased impulsivity has been demonstrated to be a trait feature of adults with bipolar disorder (BD), yet impulsivity has received little study in adolescents with BD. Thus, it is unknown whether it is a trait feature that is present early in the course of the disorder. We tested the hypotheses that self-reported impulsiveness is increased in adolescents with BD, and that it is present during euthymia, supporting impulsiveness as an early trait feature of the disorder. Impulsiveness was assessed in 23 adolescents with BD and 23 healthy comparison (HC) adolescents using the self-report measure of impulsivity, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), comprised by attentional, motor and nonplanning subscale scores. Effects of subscale scores and associations of scores with mood state and course features were explored. Total and subscale BIS scores were significantly higher in adolescents with BD than HC adolescents. Total, attentional and motor subscale BIS scores were also significantly higher in the subset of adolescents with BD who were euthymic, compared to HC adolescents. Adolescents with BD with rapid-cycling and chronic mood symptoms had significantly higher total and motor subscale BIS scores than adolescents with BD without these course features. These results suggest increased self-reported impulsiveness is a trait feature of adolescents with BD. Elevated impulsivity may be especially prominent in adolescents with rapid-cycling and chronic symptoms.

Reflective and non-reflective antecedents of health-related behaviour: Exploring the relative contributions of impulsivity and implicit self-control to the prediction of dietary behaviour

This study (N= 139) explored whether two measures that capture non-reflective processing (viz. a self-report measure of impulsivity and a behavioural measure of implicit self-control) would contribute to the prediction of dietary behaviour over and above cognitive predictors specified by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Four dimensions of impulsivity were measured at Time 1. Implicit self-control was measured at Time 2, alongside TPB predictors relating to the avoidance of high-calorie snacks. At Time 3, participants reported their snacking behaviour over the previous 2 weeks. Results revealed that both impulsivity and implicit self-control significantly contributed to the prediction of snacking behaviour over and above the TPB predictors. It was concluded that the predictive utility of models such as the TPB might be augmented by the inclusion of variables that capture non-reflective information processing.

Impulsivity and risk-taking in borderline personality disorder with and without substance use disorders.

Impulsivity and risk taking propensity were assessed in participants with borderline personality disorder (BPD-only; n = 19), BPD and a current or past substance use disorder (BPD-SUD; n = 32), and a matched comparison group (MC; n = 28). Participants were administered behavioral measures of two facets of the multidimensional construct of impulsivity [GoStop, delay discounting task (DDT)], one measure of risk-taking propensity [Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART)], and two self-report measures of impulsivity (i.e., Barrett Impulsiveness Scale, Eysenck Impulsiveness Scale). The BPD-SUD group, but not the BPD-only group, discounted delayed rewards faster than the MC group on the DDT, suggesting that the BPD-SUD/MC group difference may be because of the SUD rather than BPD. In contrast, both the BPD-SUD and BPD-only groups exhibited poorer behavioral response inhibition compared with the MC group, but the two BPD groups did not differ from one another. This finding suggests that the differences in behavioral response inhibition may be because of BPD rather than SUD and that behavioral response disinhibition may be a core feature of BPD. None of the groups differed on the measure of risk-taking propensity (i.e., BART). On self-report questionnaires, the BPD-SUD group reported more impulsivity than the BPD-only group and both BPD groups reported more impulsivity than the MC group. Data from the DDT and self-report measures provide partial support for the hypothesis that BPD individuals with a SUD are more impulsive than BPD individuals without a SUD on some facets of impulsivity (e.g., desire to obtain a smaller immediate reward rather than wait to obtain a larger reward in the future). Results suggest that behavioral response inhibition may be a novel treatment outcome variable for BPD treatment studies.

The Effects of Impulsivity, Sexual Arousability, and Abstract Intellectual Ability on Men’s and Women’s Go/No-Go Task Performance

While a number of studies have assessed the role of personality traits, situational variables, and drug use on sexual risk behaviors, fewer studies have employed experimental methods to examine cognitive processes that may underlie risky sexual decision making. This study used a go/no-go paradigm to examine how individual difference variables and sexual arousal influence discrimination learning and sexual and nonsexual decision making. A total of 28 men (M age=20years) and 25 women (M age=19years) completed self-report measures of impulsivity, abstract intellectual ability, and sexual excitation and inhibition and participated in a laboratory experiment. The experiment consisted of two go/no-go tasks with sexual stimuli and two tasks with neutral stimuli, preceded by either sexually arousing or sexually neutral stimulus presentations. Task performance was measured by totals of false alarms and misses. Individuals high in impulsivity and low in abstract intellectual ability committed more false alarms in conditions involving sexually arousing stimuli. Furthermore, higher sexual excitation scores were linked to more misses. These findings indicate that cognitive processes associated with decision making that occurs in the "heat of the moment" are influenced by a combination of situational and sexual and nonsexual individual difference variables.

Correlation of Glutamate Levels in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex With Self-reported Impulsivity in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder and Healthy Controls

Dysfunction and deficits in the structure of the anterior cingulate cortex have been reported in borderline personality disorder (BPD). To our knowledge, there is only 1 published study to date investigating anterior cingulate cortex metabolism in subjects with BPD and co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Impulsivity is a key feature of BPD and can be related to anterior cingulate cortex function. To investigate whether anterior cingulate cortex metabolism may be altered in BPD and correlates with BPD pathology. Cross-sectional proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany. Thirty unmedicated female subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for BPD and 31 age-matched healthy female control participants. Neurometabolite concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex and correlation of glutamate levels with self-reported measures of impulsivity and severity of borderline symptoms. Significantly higher levels of glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex were found in subjects with BPD as compared with healthy controls. A positive correlation between glutamate concentration and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale total score as well as between glutamate concentration and the subscore for cognitive impulsivity were observed irrespective of diagnosis. We also found a positive correlation between glutamate concentrations and dissociation as well as between glutamate concentration and subscores of the Borderline Symptom List in the patient group. Our results support the hypothesis that higher glutamate concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with both severity of BPD symptoms and subjective impulsivity ratings, the latter independent of BPD. Further studies should confirm the association between enhanced glutamate concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex and behavioral measures of impulsivity.

Validity and Reliability of the Abbreviated Barratt Impulsiveness Scale in Spanish (BIS-15S)

ObjectiveThis study determined the validity and reliability of a new, abbreviated version of the Spanish Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15S) in Colombian subjects. MethodThe BIS-15S was tested in non-clinical (n=283) and clinical (n=164) native Spanish-speakers. Intra-scale reliability was calculated using Cronbach's α, and test-retest reliability was measured with Pearson correlations. Psychometric properties were determined using standard statistics. A factor analysis was performed to determine BIS-15S factor structure. Results447 subjects participated in the study. Clinical subjects were older and more educated compared to non-clinical subjects. Impulsivity scores were normally distributed in each group. BIS-15S total, motor, non-planning and attention scores were significantly lower in non-clinical vs. clinical subjects. Subjects with substance-related disorders had the highest BIS-15S total scores, followed by subjects with bipolar disorders and bulimia nervosa/binge eating. Internal consistency was 0.793 and test-retest reliability was 0.80. Factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure (attention, motor, non- planning) accounting for 47.87% of the total variance in BIS-15S total scores. ConclusionsThe BIS-15S is a valid and reliable self-report measure of impulsivity in this population. Further research is needed to determine additional components of impulsivity not investigated by this measure.

Evaluation of genetic variability in the dopamine receptor D2 in relation to behavioral inhibition and impulsivity/sensation seeking: An exploratory study with d-amphetamine in healthy participants.

The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) appears to be involved in impulsive behaviors, and particularly in behavioral inhibition. We sought to determine whether inhibition and impulsivity were related to genetic polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene (DRD2) in healthy volunteers (N = 93). Participants received placebo or d-amphetamine in random order. They performed the stop task, measuring behavioral inhibition, and rated their mood states on each session. They also completed the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, including an Impulsivity subscale. We investigated the association between 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in DRD2 and stop task performance in the nondrug (i.e., placebo) session and on the personality measure of impulsivity. We secondarily evaluated the DRD2 SNPs in relation to response to d-amphetamine on stop task performance and mood ratings. Mood was not related to genotypes in either the drug free condition or in response to drug. However, 2 SNPs, rs4648317 and rs12364283, and a haplotype block consisting of those SNPs, were associated with better performance on the stop task in the drug free condition and lower scores on the Impulsivity subscale. We also found that rs12364283 was associated with effects of d-amphetamine on stop task performance: d-amphetamine decreased stop reaction time (RT) in the A/A group but increased stop RT in the combined A/G + G/G genotype. Of the SNPs we evaluated, rs12364283, which has been associated with DRD2 expression, was the most significantly associated with inhibition and impulsivity. The significant relationship between DRD2 genotype and both behavioral inhibition and impulsivity suggests a possible common genetic influence on behavioral and self-report measures of impulsivity.

P.1.e.010 Understanding postpartum blues: a time course of MAO-A levels in the living human brain during the postpartum period

Impulsivity is a core feature of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) associated with abnormal brain function and neurochemical alterations. The ventral striatum (VS) is a key region of the neural circuitry mediating impulsive behavior, and low monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) level in the VS has shown a specific relationship to the impulsivity of ASPD. Because it is currently unknown whether phenotypic MAO-A markers can influence brain function in ASPD, we investigated VS MAO-A level and the functional connectivity (FC) of two seed regions, superior and inferior VS (VSs, VSi). Nineteen impulsive ASPD males underwent [11C] harmine positron emission tomography scanning to measure VS MAO-A VT, an index of MAO-A density, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging that assessed the FC of bilateral seed regions in the VSi and VSs. Subjects also completed self-report impulsivity measures. Results revealed functional coupling of the VSs with bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) that was correlated with VS MAO-A VT (r=0.47, p=0.04), and functional coupling of the VSi with right hippocampus that was anti-correlated with VS MAO-A VT (r=−0.55, p=0.01). Additionally, VSs-DMPFC FC was negatively correlated with NEO Personality Inventory-Revised impulsivity (r=−0.49, p=0.03), as was VSi-hippocampus FC with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 motor impulsiveness (r=−0.50, p=0.03). These preliminary results highlight an association of VS MAO-A level with the FC of striatal regions linked to impulsive behavior in ASPD and suggest that phenotype-based brain markers of ASPD have relevance to understanding brain function.

Evaluation of behavioral impulsivity and aggression tasks as endophenotypes for borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is marked by aggression and impulsive, often self-destructive behavior. Despite the severe risks associated with BPD, relatively little is known about the disorder’s etiology. Identification of genetic correlates (endophenotypes) of BPD would improve the prospects of targeted interventions for more homogeneous subsets of borderline patients characterized by specific genetic vulnerabilities. The current study evaluated behavioral measures of aggression and impulsivity as potential endophenotypes for BPD. Subjects with BPD ( N = 127), a non cluster B personality disorder (OPD N = 122), or healthy volunteers (HV N = 112) completed self report and behavioral measures of aggression, motor impulsivity and cognitive impulsivity. Results showed that BPD subjects demonstrated more aggression and motor impulsivity than HV (but not OPD) subjects on behavioral tasks. In contrast, BPD subjects self-reported more impulsivity and aggression than either comparison group. Subsequent analyses showed that among BPD subjects behavioral aggression was associated with self-reported aggression, while behavioral and self-report impulsivity measures were more modestly associated. Overall, the results provide partial support for the use of behavioral measures of aggression and motor impulsivity as endophenotypes for BPD, with stronger support for behavioral aggression measures as an endophenotype for aggression within BPD samples.

Introduction to this issue: impulsivity and the law

Behavioral Sciences & the LawVolume 26, Issue 6 p. 671-673 Introduction Introduction to this issue: impulsivity and the law Matthew S. Stanford Ph.D., Corresponding Author Matthew S. Stanford Ph.D. [email protected] Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97334, Waco, Texas 76798-7334, U.S.A.Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97334, Waco, Texas 76798-7334, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorAlan R. Felthous M.D., Alan R. Felthous M.D.Search for more papers by this author Matthew S. Stanford Ph.D., Corresponding Author Matthew S. Stanford Ph.D. [email protected] Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97334, Waco, Texas 76798-7334, U.S.A.Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97334, Waco, Texas 76798-7334, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorAlan R. Felthous M.D., Alan R. Felthous M.D.Search for more papers by this author First published: 27 November 2008 https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.849Citations: 2AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume26, Issue6Special Issue: Impulsivity and the LawNovember/December 2008Pages 671-673 RelatedInformation

Trait impulsivity in a forensic inpatient sample: An evaluation of the barratt impulsiveness scale

Impulsivity is a fundamental component of psychopathology and an essential trait to consider when working with forensic populations. Nevertheless, impulsivity has not been widely studied in psychiatric forensic patients. The current study evaluated the use of a self-report measure of impulsivity, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), in a sample of 425 male forensic psychiatric inpatients with varying degrees of psychopathology and criminality. Patients also completed a measure of psychopathology, the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Descriptive information and psychometric properties of the BIS-11 are presented. The primary findings were elevated Nonplanning versus Motor and Attentional Impulsiveness, and strong associations between impulsiveness and various psychopathologies. Using principal component analysis, the factor structure of the BIS-11 was also evaluated. Results failed to support the previously identified factor structure of impulsivity. The meaning of the revised scales and utility of the BIS-11 in this population is discussed.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Adaptation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11-A for Children

Given difficulty in having children assess their own behaviour, there are few self-reports on child impulsivity. With the exception of Eysenck's 16 questionnaire, there are no self-report measures of impulsivity in children with good psychometric properties. The present study tested the possibility of using the adolescent version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 with children. For this purpose the questionnaire was translated and backtranslated and administered to school children (182 boys and 195 girls) ages 8 to 12 years (M = 10.4, SD = 0.9). The data were analysed by exploratory factor analysis, to evaluate the factorial structure of the questionnaire, the fit of the proposed solution, and internal consistency reliabilities. Results seem to indicate that this questionnaire may be useful in assessing impulsivity in children. The three-factor structure showed slight differences with the initial questionnaire proposed by Barratt and had good or sufficient internal consistency (depending upon the scale) across the 8- to 12-yr.-old age range.

Impulsivity is associated with the disinhibition but not restraint factor from the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire

Recent data implicate impulsivity as a personality trait associated with obesity, binge eating and restrained eating. However, impulsivity is recognised as having multiple dimensions, and it remains unclear which aspects of impulsive behaviour best predict disordered eating. To try and elucidate further the relationship between impulsivity and eating behaviour, 147 women completed a behavioural measure and two self-report measures of impulsivity along with the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Overall scores on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-II), along with scores on the Non-planning and Motor Subscales of the BIS-II, were higher in women scoring high on the TFEQ disinhibition (TFEQ-D) scale. Likewise, women scoring high on the TFEQ-D showed more impulsive choice when discounting hypothetical monetary awards. However, responses to measures of functional relative to dysfunctional impulsivity did not differ depending on TFEQ-D score. No measure of impulsivity was related to scores on the TFEQ restraint scale. These data suggest that a tendency to act impulsively is associated with a tendency to overeat, and may be a factor which predicts the likelihood of the development of binge eating and the breakdown of dieting.