Impulsivity and Impaired Control in Relation to Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol Use Disorder
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant health problem characterized by excessive consumption, impaired control, and chronic relapse. Impaired control represents an important marker of problematic drinking. Previous studies have reported that impaired control is a mediator of the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol consumption, especially in heavier drinkers. This study examined impulsivity, impaired control, and alcohol consumption in individuals with AUD (Current-AUD) as well as participants who never experienced an AUD (Never-AUD). Participants (N = 307) completed assessments of impulsivity (negative/positive urgency from the UPPS-P Scale), impaired control (attempted/failed control from the Impaired Control Scale), and alcohol consumption (90-day timeline followback, TLFB) at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Program. As hypothesized, Current-AUDs reported higher scores on the Impaired Control Scale (ICS) than Never-AUDs. Also as hypothesized, in Current-AUDs there was a significant indirect effect from negative urgency to alcohol consumption via failed control, when controlling for sex. The direct effect from negative urgency to alcohol consumption, independent of failed control, was not significant. Contrary to hypothesis, in Never-AUDs, attempted control did not mediate the relationship between positive urgency and alcohol consumption. In sum, in AUDs the influence of impulsive response to negative affect is mediated by failed control, and these findings add to the growing literature on impulsivity and impaired control in alcohol dependence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 22, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1186379
Entities
People
- Courtney L. Vaughan
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences