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Lability and impulsivity synergistically increase risk for alcohol-related problems
Jeffrey S Simons1, Kate B Carey, Raluca M Gaher
1Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota 57069, USA. jsimons@usd.edu
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|November 16, 2004
Summary
Affect dysregulation, including emotional instability and impulsivity, increases the risk of alcohol-related problems in young adults. High impulsivity exacerbates the link between emotional lability and alcohol issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Affect dysregulation is a significant concern in young adults.
- Understanding risk factors for alcohol-related problems is crucial for prevention and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate affect lability and impulsivity as risk factors for alcohol-related problems.
- To examine impulsivity's role as a vulnerability factor in the relationship between alcohol use and problems.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 592 undergraduates, focusing on 442 alcohol users.
- Assessed impulsivity, affect lability, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems.
- Used statistical analyses to control for gender and lifetime alcohol use frequency.
Main Results:
- Affect lability and impulsivity significantly predicted increased risk for alcohol problems.
- Impulsivity did not moderate the relationship between alcohol use frequency and problems.
- The association between affect lability and alcohol problems was strongest in individuals with higher impulsivity.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in affect dysregulation are linked to alcohol-related problems in young adults.
- Impulsivity may exacerbate the negative impact of emotional lability on alcohol use outcomes.