Heavy, Problematic College Drinking Predicts Increases in Impulsivity

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Impulsigenic personality traits are known predictors of adolescent drinking behavior.
• The reciprocal relationship, where drinking influences personality, is less understood, particularly during emerging adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether problematic drinking behavior predicts increases in impulsigenic personality traits in emerging adults.
• To understand potential mechanisms linking problematic drinking to broader dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A prospective longitudinal study design was employed.
• 458 traditional college freshmen were assessed over one academic year.
• Data collected included personality traits and problematic drinking behavior.

Main Results:

• Problematic drinking significantly predicted increases in urgency (acting rashly when emotional).
• Drinking problems also predicted increases in lack of planning (acting without forethought).
• Lack of perseverance (difficulty maintaining focus) was also predicted by drinking problems.

Conclusions:

• Problematic drinking during college may drive maladaptive personality changes.
• These increases in impulsigenic traits can create a transdiagnostic risk factor for multiple negative outcomes.
• This suggests a potential mechanism for escalating problems in individuals with problematic college drinking.