Person-environment transactions of impulsive traits and day-level alcohol use: A narrative review

Person-Environment Transactions Theory purports that certain individuals react differently (and gain different experiences) based upon their environment, which therefore informs acute and long-term behavioral development. Given the central role of impulsive traits (i.e., positive urgency, negative urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking) in the etiology of alcohol use/misuse, a variety of studies have tested person-by-environment transactions between impulsive traits and environmental, day-level variables predicting drinking behavior. Yet, a synthesis of these findings remains needed to best characterize the literature, inform future studies, and spur conversation among the research community.

This narrative review identified studies testing cross-level interactions between Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking (UPPS-P) impulsive traits and day/moment-level environmental variables, broadly defined, predicting alcohol use/misuse using daily diaries/surveys, ecological momentary assessment, and timeline followback interviewing.

Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria, testing interactions between UPPS-P impulsive traits and day-level pregaming, affect/PTSD symptoms, alcohol and cannabis couse, planned drinking, physical activity, rate of alcohol consumption, and state impulsivity. Across studies with significant interactions, all but one found interactions wherein positive urgency potentiated the influence of the given day-level variable on heavier drinking. Findings for lack of premeditation and perseverance were less common but in the same direction as positive urgency, while findings for negative urgency and sensation seeking were sparse, inconsistent, and mixed.

A host of day/moment-level environmental variables, broadly defined, appear to potentiate riskier drinking dependent upon impulsive personality traits. Themes across studies and the need for continued research and environment-specific intervention development are discussed.