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The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) differentiates smokers and nonsmokers
C W Lejuez1, Will M Aklin, Heather A Jones
1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA. clejuez@psyc.umd.edu
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
|March 8, 2003
Summary
This study found that the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), a measure of risk-taking behavior, differentiated smokers from nonsmokers. Sensation seeking also uniquely predicted smoking status, suggesting personality traits influence smoking behavior.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Understanding smoking initiation and maintenance is crucial due to significant health consequences.
- Personality variables, particularly risk-taking, are investigated as potential factors influencing smoking behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of two behavioral risk-taking measures, the Bechara Gambling Task (BGT) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), in distinguishing between smokers and nonsmokers.
- To assess the contribution of self-report measures of impulsivity and sensation seeking alongside behavioral tasks in predicting smoking status.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed the Bechara Gambling Task (BGT) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) as behavioral measures of risk-taking.
- Self-report questionnaires assessed impulsivity and sensation seeking.
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine unique predictors of smoking status.
Main Results:
- Behavioral performance on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) was significantly related to smoking status, whereas the Bechara Gambling Task (BGT) was not.
- In a logistic regression model, only the Sensation Seeking total score and the BART score independently contributed to differentiating smokers from nonsmokers.
Conclusions:
- The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) shows promise as a behavioral indicator for differentiating smokers and nonsmokers.
- Sensation seeking, a personality trait, and risk-taking behavior as measured by the BART are key factors associated with smoking status.