A model of reinforcement sensitivity, impulsivity, alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior in a sample of young adult drinkers

Austin M. Hahn; Raluca M. Simons; Jeffrey S. Simons; Logan E. Welker

doi:10.1037/pha0000321

A model of reinforcement sensitivity, impulsivity, alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior in a sample of young adult drinkers

Austin M. Hahn, Raluca M. Simons, Jeffrey S. Simons, Logan E. Welker

Great Plains IDeA-CTR

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study tested a structural equation model linking reinforcement sensitivity to subsequent emotionbased impulsivity (i.e., positive and negative urgency), alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior among a sample of 753 undergraduate drinkers. A hypothesized Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) × Sensitivity to Reward (SR) interaction significantly predicted both positive and negative urgency. At low levels of SR, SP had a significant negative effect on positive urgency and a significant positive effect on negative urgency. However, at high levels of SR, SP had significant positive effects on both types of urgency. Results indicated that positive and negative urgency mediate the associations between reinforcement sensitivity and both alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Moreover, results demonstrated that at low levels of SR, SP is indirectly associated with decreased alcohol use. However, as SR increases, SP is indirectly associated with increased alcohol use and risky sexual behavior, due to the joint effect of high SP and SR on emotion-based impulsivity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	328-336
Number of pages	9
Journal	Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
Volume	28
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000321
State	Published - Jun 2020

Keywords

Alcohol
Negative urgency
Positive urgency
Reinforcement sensitivity
Risky sexual behavior

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pharmacology
Psychiatry and Mental health
Pharmacology (medical)

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10.1037/pha0000321

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title = "A model of reinforcement sensitivity, impulsivity, alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior in a sample of young adult drinkers",

abstract = "This study tested a structural equation model linking reinforcement sensitivity to subsequent emotionbased impulsivity (i.e., positive and negative urgency), alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior among a sample of 753 undergraduate drinkers. A hypothesized Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) × Sensitivity to Reward (SR) interaction significantly predicted both positive and negative urgency. At low levels of SR, SP had a significant negative effect on positive urgency and a significant positive effect on negative urgency. However, at high levels of SR, SP had significant positive effects on both types of urgency. Results indicated that positive and negative urgency mediate the associations between reinforcement sensitivity and both alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Moreover, results demonstrated that at low levels of SR, SP is indirectly associated with decreased alcohol use. However, as SR increases, SP is indirectly associated with increased alcohol use and risky sexual behavior, due to the joint effect of high SP and SR on emotion-based impulsivity.",

keywords = "Alcohol, Negative urgency, Positive urgency, Reinforcement sensitivity, Risky sexual behavior",

author = "Hahn, {Austin M.} and Simons, {Raluca M.} and Simons, {Jeffrey S.} and Welker, {Logan E.}",

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year = "2020",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1037/pha0000321",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Hahn, Austin M.

AU - Simons, Raluca M.

AU - Simons, Jeffrey S.

AU - Welker, Logan E.

PY - 2020/6

Y1 - 2020/6

N2 - This study tested a structural equation model linking reinforcement sensitivity to subsequent emotionbased impulsivity (i.e., positive and negative urgency), alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior among a sample of 753 undergraduate drinkers. A hypothesized Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) × Sensitivity to Reward (SR) interaction significantly predicted both positive and negative urgency. At low levels of SR, SP had a significant negative effect on positive urgency and a significant positive effect on negative urgency. However, at high levels of SR, SP had significant positive effects on both types of urgency. Results indicated that positive and negative urgency mediate the associations between reinforcement sensitivity and both alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Moreover, results demonstrated that at low levels of SR, SP is indirectly associated with decreased alcohol use. However, as SR increases, SP is indirectly associated with increased alcohol use and risky sexual behavior, due to the joint effect of high SP and SR on emotion-based impulsivity.

AB - This study tested a structural equation model linking reinforcement sensitivity to subsequent emotionbased impulsivity (i.e., positive and negative urgency), alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior among a sample of 753 undergraduate drinkers. A hypothesized Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) × Sensitivity to Reward (SR) interaction significantly predicted both positive and negative urgency. At low levels of SR, SP had a significant negative effect on positive urgency and a significant positive effect on negative urgency. However, at high levels of SR, SP had significant positive effects on both types of urgency. Results indicated that positive and negative urgency mediate the associations between reinforcement sensitivity and both alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Moreover, results demonstrated that at low levels of SR, SP is indirectly associated with decreased alcohol use. However, as SR increases, SP is indirectly associated with increased alcohol use and risky sexual behavior, due to the joint effect of high SP and SR on emotion-based impulsivity.

KW - Alcohol

KW - Negative urgency

KW - Positive urgency

KW - Reinforcement sensitivity

KW - Risky sexual behavior

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A model of reinforcement sensitivity, impulsivity, alcohol use, and risky sexual behavior in a sample of young adult drinkers

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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