The Relationship Between Impulsivity, Participation In Drinking Games and Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences In A Freshman College Sample. The Relationship Between Impulsivity, Participation In Drinking Games and Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences In A Freshman College Sample. R.E. Jiantonio-Kelly 1 ; R.I. Rosen 1 ; J.F. Sisante 1 ; A. Dager 1,2 ; S. Raskin 5 ; H. Tennen 4 ; C.S. Austad 3 ; C.R. Fallahi 3 ; R. Wood 3 ; G.D. Pearlson 1,2 1 Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, 2 Dept. of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 3 Dept. of Psychology, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, 4 University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, 5 Dept. of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Trinity College, Hartford, CT INTRODUCTION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION An independent samples t-test showed individuals who participated in drinking games had statistically significant greater number of drinks consumed per month (M= 43.65, SD=46.94) than those who didn’t participate in drinking games (M= 6.12, SD= 17.65); t (1117) = , p= An independent samples t-test showed individuals who participated in drinking games had statistically significant higher negative alcohol-related consequences (M= 12, SD=4.57) than those who didn’t participate in drinking games (M= 7.83, SD= 1.92); t (1175) = , p= A multivariate general linear model revealed statistically significant main effects for measures of impulsivity and sum of negative alcohol-relaed consequences on Zuckerman (p=0.000), BIS-11 Attentional Impulsiveness (p=0.000), BIS-11 Motor Impulsiveness (p=0.000), BIS-11 Nonplanning Impulsiveness (p=0.000), BIS/BAS Fun Seeking (p=0.000), BIS/BAS Drive (p=0.000) and BIS (p=0.005). Prior research examining self-report constructs of impulsivity domains using Principal Component Analysis found measures to load into five distinct factors. In the analysis, Zuckerman and all three BIS-11 second-order measures (Attentional Impulsiveness, Motor Impulsiveness, and Nonplanning Impulsiveness) loaded onto factor Significant interaction effects were found at p<0.01 after correcting for multiple comparisons. Statistically significant interaction effects were found for: Zuckerman (F(1, 1370)=44.81, p=.000); BIS/BAS Fun Seeking (F(1, 1369)=35.26, p=.000); BIS-11 Attentional Impulsivness (F(1, 1368)=23.83, p=.000); BIS-11 Attentional Impulsiveness (F(1, 1368)=18.47, p=.000); and BIS-11 Nonplanning Impulsiveness (F(1, 1368)=28.03, p=.000).This analysis does not address relations between variables and negative alcohol-related consequences. We plan to further examine this causal effect by using structural equation modeling. To take these findings one step further, future research could assess the effects of impulsivity scores and participation in drinking games on negative alcohol-related consequences in high school populations. Funded by RO1 AA (BARCS Study) and RC1 AA to Dr. Godfrey Pearlson. Brain and Alcohol Research in College Students 1 (aka BARCS Study) “Mascot” College students who report problems with drinking also report harmful consequences. 1,2 Drinking games have been found to endorse social drinking environments and promote participants to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. 3 In college-aged samples, participation in drinking games is associated with negative consequences as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. 4 Recently, the definition of impulsivity has been redefined due to the idea that impulsive behavior is influenced by many different mechanisms. 5 Although several studies have examined the relationship between participation in drinking games and negative alcohol- related problems, relatively few have examined the role of impulsivity. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between participation in drinking games and self-reported constructs of impulsivity on negative alcohol-related consequences of drinking in a college sample. 1)Vuchinich, R. et al. Exp Clin Psychopharm )Congdon, E. et al. Behav Cogn Neurosci. Rev ) Grossbard, J. et al. J of Stud on Alc and Drugs )Kenney, S. et al. J Youth Adolescence )Arce, E. et al. Psicothema )Zuckerman, M. et al Psychiatry Res )Carver, C. et al. J Per and Soc Psy )Patton, J. et al. J Clin Psych )Kahler, C. et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res )Meda, S. et al. Behav Pharmacol college freshmen (54.3% female) aged were recruited on a voluntary basis from the ongoing NIAAA- funded BARCS (Brain and Alcohol Research in College Students) study from two Connecticut academic institutions; one a small, private college and the other a larger, public university. The Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS)measures preference to intense activities and willingness to take risks for such experiences. Subscales for the SSS include: Thrill and Adventure Seeking, Boredom Susceptibility, Disinhibition, and Experience Seeking. For this analysis, total SSS score was computed and used. 6 The Behavioral Inhibition/ Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS) measures sensitivities to punishment and reward. BIS assesses behavioral inhibition while BAS subscales assess Reward Responsiveness, Drive, and Fun Seeking. 7 The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) measures personality traits of impulsiveness. BIS-11 subscales derived from first order factors include: Attention, Motor, Self Control, Cognitive Complexity, Perseverance, and Cognitive Instability. To test for impulsiveness, three second-order factors are used: Attentional Impulsiveness (difficulties focusing on a task), Motor Impulsiveness (tendency to act hastily), and Nonplanning Impulsiveness (lack of careful thinking and planning for the future). 8 To measure negative alcohol-related consequences, items from the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consumption Questionnaire (BYAACQ) were chosen based on how well they represented negative consequences of alcohol consumption (i.e. reported hangover the morning after drinking, felling sick to stomach or vomiting after drinking, passing out, unable to remember large stretches of time while drinking heavily, missing school/ work, waking up in unexpected places, and quality of work suffering). To measure participation in drinking games and the total number of drinks consumed within one month, scores were obtained via self-report from a secure online survey. 9 For each impulsivity measure, separate univariate general linear models examined interactions between different impulsivity scores and participation in drinking games on negative alcohol- related consequences (see Figures 1-5). REFERENCES MATERIALS AND METHODS HYPOTHESES Individuals who participate in drinking games will experience more negative alcohol-related consequences than those who don’t participate in drinking games. Individuals who participate in drinking games will report consuming a larger number of drinks per month than those who don’t participate in drinking games. There will be significant main effects for impulsivity scores and negative alcohol-related consequences. There will be significant interaction effects for impulsivity scores and participation in drinking games on negative alcohol-related consequences. Zuckerman BIS/BAS Fun Figure 1: Interactions Between Zuckerman Scores and Participation In Drinking Games On Negative Alcohol-related Consequences. Figure 2: Interactions Between BIS/BAS Fun Scores and Participation In Drinking Games On Negative Alcohol-related Consequences. Figure 3: Interactions Between BIS-11 Attentional Impulsiveness Scores and Participation In Drinking Games On Negative Alcohol-related Consequences. BIS-11 Attentional Impulsiveness BIS-11 Motor Impulsiveness BIS-11 Nonplanning Impulsiveness Figure 5: Interactions Between BIS-11 Nonplanning Impulsiveness Scores and Participation In Drinking Games On Negative Alcohol-related Consequences. Figure 4: Interactions Between BIS-11 Motor Impulsiveness Scores and Participation In Drinking Games On Negative Alcohol-related Consequences.