1. Facets of Impulsivity as Unique Predictors of Substance Use and Abuse
Zachary W. Adams1, Karen J. Derefinko1, Richard Milich1, Donald R. Lynam2
1University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,
2Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Abstract
Impulsivity has been implicated as a robust risk factor for substance use, but recent work suggests that impulsivity is not a unitary construct. The current project tested the differential predictive utility of four facets of impulsivity (urgency, premeditation, perseverance, and sensation-seeking) for various outcomes related to substance use and misuse (e.g., frequency, volume, problems, variety) in the transition from high school to college. Participants (n = 230) completed personality questionnaires, a life history calendar of substance use, and other substance use measures. Principal components analysis was used to examine the validity of the four-factor model of impulsivity. The resulting factors were then used to predict substance use variables. Differential relations were observed between each impulsivity facet and aspects of substance use. Results highlight the unique role of each facet in predicting patterns of substance use in young adulthood and carry important implications for future work on preventing problematic substance use.
Background
The transition from high school to college marks a time of increased risk for substance use problems. Environmental and intra-individual factors have been identified that contribute to this risk.
Impulsivity is a robust predictor of substance use and abuse, as well as other risky behaviors.
Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct (Smith et al., 2007; Whiteside & Lynam, 2001); hence, different facets of impulsivity may uniquely predict patterns of substance use.
The facets of a four-factor model of impulsivity have been shown to demonstrate differential relations to conduct (Fischer & Smith, 2008; Lynam & Miller, 2004; Magid & Colder, 2007)
Hypotheses
Four-factor model of impulsivity will be replicated
Each facet will have unique relations to substance use outcomes:
Sensation-Seeking will relate to volume, frequency, and variety of use
Urgency will relate to maladaptive use/abuse
Premeditation will relate to frequency, volume, and problems
Perseverence will not relate to substance use or problems
Acknowledgement: This research was supported by National Institute for Drug Abuse grant DA
Method
Participants
230 first-year college students (119 males, 111 females)
88% White; 8% Black or African-American
In last 4 months: 71% used alcohol, 24% used marijuana
Measures
PERSONALITY
UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale (Lynam, Smith, Whiteside, & Cyders, 2006)
The UPPS-P is a 59-item inventory designed to measure distinct personality pathways to impulsive behavior: Negative Urgency, (lack of) Perseverance, (lack of) Premeditation, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency. Items were rated on a 4-point scale from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree.
EASI-III Impulsivity Scales (Buss & Plomin, 1975)
The EASI-III was designed to reflect four temperament theory of personality: emotionality, activity, sociability, and impulsivity. Only the 20 items on the four impulsivity subscales were included here: Inhibitory Control, Decision Time, Sensation Seeking, and Persistence.
NEO-PI-R Pan-impulsivity Scales
The pan-impulsivity scales represent the five facet scales from the NEO-PI-R that measure some component of impulsivity: Impulsiveness (N5), Excitement-Seeking (E5), Dutifulness (C3), Self-Discipline (C5), and Deliberation (C6).
ZKPQ ISS Scales (Zuckerman et al., 1993)
The ZKPQ was designed to measure various aspects of personality. Here, the two subscales of the ISS scale are included: Impulsivity and Sensation-Seeking.
SUBSTANCE USE
Life History Questionnaire (LHC)
The LHC measures patterns of substance use from age 13 to the present in 4-month intervals (summer, fall, spring). The LHC assesses frequency, average quantity, and highest quantity of use for each interval for a number of substances including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, stimulants, and hard drugs (crack/cocaine, club drugs, hallucinogens, etc.)
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
The AUDIT is a simple 10-item test developed by the WHO to determine if a person’s alcohol consumption may be harmful. The AUDIT includes questions dealing with alcohol consumption, dependence, and problems.
Substance Abuse Module (SAM; Alcohol, Marijuana, Stimulants)
The SAM is a structured interview designed to assess specific symptoms of substance use problems, as well as specific withdrawal symptoms and physical, social, and psychological consequences for each category of substances used by the respondent.
Results
Among current drinkers (n=130), Sensation-Seeking predicts alcohol use frequency (.19), average amount of alcohol used (.28), and highest amount used; Urgency was not related to any of these measures.
Among current marijuana users (n=55), only Urgency was related to average and highest amounts used.
Conclusions & Future Directions
Not all facets of impulsivity hold utility in predicting substance use outcomes:
Sensation-Seeking and Premeditation seem to be important predictors of alcohol use patterns, whereas Sensation-Seeking and Urgency are most strongly related to alcohol problems.
Urgency is a stronger predictor of other drug use and drug problems than other facets.
Perseverence was not significantly related to any substance use outcomes.
Developmental pathways underlying these relations, as well as tailored interventions should be examined and developed in future research.
Table 2. Relations among Impulsivity Facets and Substance Use 1 2 3 4
Periods of Any Alcohol Use
.31***
.14*
.13*
.06
Periods of Heavy (5+) Alcohol Use
.32***
.10
.21**
.01
Frequency of Alcohol Use
.37***
.09
.17*
.03
AUDIT Problem Total Score
.34***
.22**
Periods of Marijuana Use
.24***
.23***
Periods of Frequent Marijuana Use
.12
.18**
.13
SAM Marijuana Problems
.04
.00
Periods of Stimulant Use
.20**
Variety of Drugs Used
.17**
.26***
.16**
Values represent regression weights (β). *** p < ** p < .01. * p < .05.
Table 1. Principal Component Analysis, Varimax Rotation
SCALE 1 2 3 4
UPPS Sensation-Seeking
.86
NEO Excitement-Seeking
.83
ZKPQ Sensation-Seeking
.80
EASI Sensation-Seeking
.79
UPPS Neg. Urgency
NEO Impulsiveness
EASI Inhibitory Control
.70
UPPS Pos. Urgency
.63
UPPS Premeditation
.84
ZKPQ Impulsivity
.72
NEO Deliberation
EASI Decision Time
.60
UPPS Perseverance
EASI Persistence
NEO Dutifulness
.76
NEO Self-Discipline
.61