The differential role of impulsivity, neuroticism, and negative affect within and across scores on measures of behavioral addiction and substance abuse.
Abstract
Behavioral addictions (BAs) are generally characterized as excessive behaviors (not
involving psychoactive substance use) that produce short-term rewards and persist
despite adverse consequences or attempts to control them. The study of behavioral
addictions is timely as many of these disorders are under consideration for inclusion in
the upcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition
(DSM-5). These behaviors include gambling, shopping, exercise, work, sex, Internet use,
video gaming, and binge eating. Evidence suggests the phenomenology and development
of BAs often overlaps with substance addictions. In terms of personality, impulsivity,
neuroticism, and negative affect are strongly associated with substance addictions.
Limited available evidence suggests these traits may also influence the development and
maintenance of behavioral addictions. This study examined these three factors within
and across eight theorized BAs and substance abuse. Three-hundred-thirty-four
University students and 255 online participants completed a wide range of self-report
instruments measuring BAs, substance use, impulsivity, neuroticism, and negative affect.
Results showed impulsivity was positively correlated with every addictive behavior and
substance abuse except work and exercise, which were negatively related. Additionally,
there were significant differences between samples when examining the roles of
neuroticism and negative affect. The older, more pathological sample registered stronger
correlations, suggesting neuroticism and negative affect may be more predictive of
addictive patterns later in life or in those with greater levels of co-morbid mental illness.
As a result, BAs may be conceptualized as lying at the two poles of a continuum of
inhibitory control, despite similar phenomenology and functional impairments. This
study suggests the end stages of BAs may look similar, although particular BAs, such as
work and exercise addictions, may have different initial motivators or reinforcement
mechanisms.
Department
Psychology and Neuroscience.Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The differential roles of objective neuropsychological testing and self report measures in assessing neurocognitive impairment in relation to addiction severity among alcohol abusing individuals.
Hertzberg, Lauren C., 1977- (2017-01-26)Background: Individuals with varying levels of alcohol use severity may present with unique neuropsychological deficits. While some of these deficits are apparent, others may not be noticeable until challenged to utilize ... -
Understanding iaddiction : a sociological analysis of technological device addiction and attachment in the digital age.
Nelson, Justin J., 1981- (2019-05-15)Technological device addiction is a phenomenon widely described anecdotally but little understood empirically across the broad landscape of American life. In this dissertation, I analyze a nationally-representative sample ... -
A Pathology of the Will: Developing an Interdisciplinary Understanding of Addiction
Overcash, Mary Elizabeth (2021-05-18)Addiction has historically been understood as a moral failing, but over the past few centuries it has been medicalized and is now viewed as a chronic brain disease. This thesis draws from neurobiology, psychology, philosophy, ...