Impulsivity traits and addiction-related behaviors in youth

Abstract

Background and aims Impulsivity is a risk factor for addictive behaviors. The UPPS-P impulsivity model has been associated with substance addiction and gambling disorder, but its role in other non-substance addiction-related behaviors is less understood. We sought to examine associations between UPPS-P impulsivity traits and indicators of multiple substance and non-substance addiction-related behaviors in youth with varying involvement in these behaviors. Methods Participants (N = 109, aged 16-26 years, 69% males) were selected from a national survey based on their level of externalizing problems to achieve a broad distribution of involvement in addiction-related behaviors. Participants completed the UPPS-P Questionnaire and standardized questionnaires assessing problematic use of substances (alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs) and non-substances (Internet gaming, pornography, and food). Regression analyses were used to assess associations between impulsivity traits and indicators of addiction-related behaviors. Results The UPPS-P model was positively associated with indicators of all addiction-related behaviors except problematic Internet gaming. In the fully adjusted models, sensation seeking and lack of perseverance were associated with problematic use of alcohol, urgency was associated with problematic use of cannabis, and lack of perseverance was associated with problematic use of other drugs than cannabis. Furthermore, urgency and lack of perseverance were associated with binge eating and lack of perseverance was associated with problematic use of pornography. Discussion and conclusions We emphasize the role of trait impulsivity across multiple addiction-related behaviors. Our findings in at-risk youth highlight urgency and lack of perseverance as potential predictors for the development of addictions and as potential preventative therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Internet gaming; addiction; binge eating; impulsivity; pornography; substance use.

Figure 1.

Flowchart of the inclusion process. Participants were selected based on their level of self-reported externalizing behavior problems (EP6, ranging from 0 to 6) and internalizing behavior problems (IP6, ranging from 0 to 6), to obtain a sample with a broad involvement in addiction-related behaviors. Participants were recruited from a nationally representative survey (N = 3,064, aged 15–25 years) conducted in 2014 by Statistics Denmark. To increase sample size, a small group of participants were recruited through advertisements. In total, 109 adolescents and young adults with varying levels of externalizing problems and varying levels of use were included in the study

Figure 2.

Circular graphs of significant associations between impulsivity traits and addiction-related behaviors. Circular graphs of the UPPS-P scales (top half) that are associated with substance and non-substance addiction-related behaviors (bottom half). Only significant estimates are shown. Line width indicates the magnitude of the individual coefficients and can be interpreted as the mean increase in an addiction-related variable with respect to an increase in the UPPS-P scale in question of one standard deviation, when age, gender, and years of education are adjusted for (Model 1) and when age, gender, years of education, and other UPPS-P scales are adjusted for (Model 2). Due to a high degree of association between the positive and negative urgency scales, these scales were combined into one urgency variable. AUDIT: Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test; CUDIT-R: Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test - Revised; DUDIT: Drug Use Disorder Identification Test; BES: Binge Eating Scale; PCQ: Pornography Craving Questionnaire