Measuring impulsivity in daily life: A systematic review and recommendations for future research

Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct that has shown utility in relation to important occupational, functional, and clinical outcomes (e.g., substance use and social functioning) in cross-sectional studies. However, trait assessments of impulsivity have shown less utility in prospectively predicting state instances of such outcomes. Proliferation of mobile technology allows for investigation into psychological phenomena in participants' daily lives, clarifying many momentary and prospective relationships. Studying impulsivity using daily-life methods offers promise in understanding impulsive processes and proximal influences on behavior. We conducted a systematic review of 89 studies, comprising 75 separate samples using 46 different state impulsivity measures, to evaluate the conceptualization and measurement of state impulsivity, as well as the evidence for the reliability and validity of scores on state impulsivity measures. Samples included community, clinical, and student populations, though most participants were young adults, female, and White. Overall, scores on state impulsivity measures demonstrated acceptable reliability and evidence of construct and criterion-related validity, though some facets and measures showed weaker or less consistent associations across outcomes. The findings also call attention to the substantial heterogeneity in measurement approaches, reporting practices, influential study characteristics, and relevant associations, indicating multiple areas for improvement in the measurement of state impulsivity. We make recommendations for future research based on the evidence presented, such as standardizing conventions for reporting psychometric evidence and effect sizes, as well as careful selection of measures and sampling procedures most suited to detecting the specific associations at the timescales those associations are expected to unfold. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).