Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Measure Impulsivity among Trauma-Exposed Adults

Impulsivity has historically been measured with retrospective self-reports rather than ecological momentary assessment (EMA). This paper assesses momentary engagement in risky behavior and whether it is driven by momentary negative affect/situations and positive affect/situations, reflecting the negative and positive urgency facets of impulsivity. The present study used EMA to analyze whether momentary negative and positive feelings and situations were associated with engagement in risky behavior. This study also investigates whether PTSD diagnostic status moderated these associations. The sample included 80 trauma-exposed community members (39 with PTSD, 41 without PTSD) who completed up to 17 surveys per day for three days (total number of completed surveys = 2,158). This analysis produced more evidence for negative urgency than positive urgency, with negative affect and situations both significantly predicting risky behavior at the within-subjects level. Negative urgency was either not moderated by PTSD or possibly tempered by PTSD. This study offers a novel approach for measuring momentary urgency within trauma-exposed samples using EMA. Although this secondary analysis was limited, it provides promising new avenues for research.