Citation

Schreiber LRN, Grant JE, Odlaug BL. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2012; 46(5): 651-658.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.02.005

PMID

22385661

PMCID

PMC3334448

Abstract

Past research has linked both emotion regulation and impulsivity with the development and maintenance of addictions. However, no research has investigated the relationship between emotion regulation and impulsivity within young adults. In the present study, we analyzed 194 young adults (27.8% female; 21.3 ± 3.32 years old; 91.8% single; 85.1% Caucasian), grouping them as low, average, or high emotionally dysregulated, and compared self-reported impulsivity, impulsive behaviors (such as alcohol and substance use and gambling) and cognitive impulsivity. We hypothesized that those with high levels of emotion dysregulation would score higher on self-reported and cognitive impulsivity, and report more impulsive behaviors. Analysis indicated that compared to low, the high emotion dysregulation group scored significantly higher on two self-report measures of impulsivity, harm avoidance, and cognitive reasoning. No significant differences were found between groups in impulsive behaviors and cognitive impulsivity. Overall, this study highlights the relationship between emotion dysregulation and impulsivity, suggesting that emotion regulation may be an important factor to consider when assessing individuals at a higher risk for developing an addiction.

Language: en