Associations among impulsivity, trauma history, and alcohol misuse within a young adult sample

作者：Bountress Kaitlin^*; Adams Zachary W; Gilmore Amanda K; Amstadter Ananda B; Thomas Suzanne; Danielson Carla K

来源：Addictive Behaviors, 2017, 64: 179-184.

DOI：10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.08.031

• Trauma
• PTSD
• Impulsivity
• Alcohol use
• Young adulthood

Objective: Young adult alcohol misuse is associated with numerous long-term adverse outcomes. Given the link between impulsivity and alcohol use, we examined whether three impulsivity-related traits differentially predicted number of drinks per drinking day (DDD). We also examined whether these effects varied for those with different trauma histories.
Method: The current study (n = 254) examined motor, non-planning, and attentional impulsivity as predictors of DDD. It also examined whether impulsivity was differentially predictive of DDD across individuals in: a control group (non-trauma exposed), a trauma exposed but non-PTSD group, and a PTSD group.
Results: Regardless of group, more motor impulsivity was associated with more DDD. The effect of non-planning impulsivity varied according to trauma history. Specifically, more non-planning impulsivity predicted more DDD for those without PTSD. Finally, attentional impulsivity was not predictive of DDD.
Conclusions: Young adults with high levels of motor impulsivity, regardless of trauma history, may be a particularly high-risk group in terms of propensity for alcohol use/misuse. Additionally, high levels of non-planning impulsivity may signify those at greater risk for alcohol misuse, among those without PTSD. Motor impulsivity and non-planning impulsivity may serve as useful intervention targets in alcohol misuse prevention efforts. Implications for future research in this area are discussed.

• 出版日期2017-1