Self-reported and behavioural impulsivity in anorexia nervosa

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Impulsivity is a complex trait with both self-reported and behavioral components.
• Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and a distorted body image.
• The relationship between self-reported and behavioral impulsivity in AN remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between self-reported and behavioral impulsivity in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN).
• To compare impulsivity levels between females with AN and healthy controls (HC).

Main Methods:

• Self-reported impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), measuring attentional, motor, and non-planning factors.
• Behavioral impulsivity was evaluated using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) to measure sustained attention.
• The study included 24 females with AN and 25 healthy controls (HC).

Main Results:

• Participants with AN reported significantly higher attentional impulsivity and lower motor impulsivity compared to HC.
• No significant differences in behavioral impulsivity, as measured by CPT errors, were found between AN and HC groups.
• Attentional impulsivity in AN was positively correlated with negative mood states, including depression, anxiety, and stress.

Conclusions:

• A discrepancy exists between self-reported and behavioral impulsivity in AN, potentially linked to perfectionism.
• Interventions aimed at improving negative mood states may help resolve the observed inconsistency in impulsivity measures within AN.