Distinctions in Behavioral Impulsivity: Implications for Substance Abuse Research
- 1 June 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment
- Vol. 8 (2), 61-73
- https://doi.org/10.1097/adt.0b013e318172e488
Abstract
Objectives Researchers have clearly implicated impulsivity as having a key role in substance use disorders, and comparisons of self-report measures suggest that there are measurably different components of impulsive behavior. However, comparatively little research has been devoted to understanding the multidimensional nature of this construct using laboratory measures of impulsivity that may be more sensitive to tracking changes across time. Many studies have measured impulsivity, but this construct has been measured using methodologically different types of laboratory impulsivity paradigms that are often used in isolation. As a result, it is important to determine whether some of the most frequently used types of behavioral measures of impulsivity account for unique variance. Methods Here, we used factor analytical techniques in 2 studies to evaluate the independence of 3 of the most commonly used behavioral impulsivity paradigms. First, a factor analysis was conducted using previously collected data (n=204), and second, data were gathered specifically to replicate and extend the results of our original analysis (n=198). Results Both studies revealed 3 distinct factors, confirming our hypothesis of at least 3 components of impulsive behavior that can be measured by these methodologic approaches. Conclusions These findings suggest that researchers should carefully consider their selection of laboratory behavioral impulsivity measures, and that the measure(s) selected should be related to the particular underlying processes relevant to substance use disorders and treatment success.Keywords
This publication has 53 references indexed in Scilit:
- Age of onset of mental disorders: a review of recent literatureCurrent Opinion in Psychiatry, 2007
- Lifetime prevalence, correlates, and persistence of oppositional defiant disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey ReplicationJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2007
- Performance test correlates of component factors of impulsivenessPersonality and Individual Differences, 2005
- Laboratory Measured Behavioral Impulsivity Relates to Suicide Attempt HistorySuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 2004
- Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT GeneScience, 2003
- Heavy “Ecstasy” Use Is Associated With Increased ImpulsivityAddictive Disorders & Their Treatment, 2002
- Three decision‐making tasks in cocaine‐dependent patients: do they measure the same construct?Addiction, 2001
- Psychiatric Aspects of ImpulsivityAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 2001
- Subtype analysis of commission errors on the continuous performance test in childrenDevelopmental Neuropsychology, 1991
- SUSTAINED ATTENTION IN HYPERACTIVE CHILDREN*Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1973