A Comparison of Self-Reported Impulsivity in Gambling Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

The present study investigated self-reported impulsivity in gambling disorder (GD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Participants with GD (n = 31), BD (n = 19), and community controls (n = 68) completed diagnostic interviews and symptom severity and functioning assessments. Participants also completed the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale composed of five dimensions including urgency (i.e., acting rashly under conditions of negative or positive emotion), lack of perseverance (i.e., inability to maintain focus), lack of premeditation (i.e., inability to consider negative consequences), and sensation seeking (i.e., tendency to pursue novel and exciting activities). Multivariate analysis of variance showed overall significant differences among the diagnostic groups on the UPPS-P subscales. Follow-up analyses of variance showed that the groups differed on all subscales except sensation seeking. The gambling and bipolar groups had significantly higher levels of self-reported impulsivity on all subscales when compared to controls. In addition, the BD group showed higher levels of positive urgency when compared to the GD group. Positive and negative urgency showed the strongest association with GD and BD. Impaired emotion regulation mechanisms may underlie self-reported impulsivity in both disorders. Lack of premeditation and perseverance may be related to dysfunctional cognitive processes.