Dimensions of Impulsive Behavior in Adolescents: Laboratory Behavioral Assessments

Brady Reynolds, Robert B. Penfold, Michele Patak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

139 Scopus citations

Abstract

Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct that defines a range of maladaptive behavioral styles. The present research aimed to identify different dimensions of impulsive behavior in adolescents from a battery of laboratory behavioral assessments. In one analysis, correlations were examined between two self report and seven laboratory behavioral measures of impulsivity. The correlation between the two self report measures was high compared to correlations between the self report and laboratory behavioral measures. In a second analysis, a principal components analysis was performed with just the laboratory behavioral measures. Three behavioral dimensions were identified-"impulsive decision-making", "impulsive inattention", and "impulsive disinhibition". These dimensions were further evaluated using the same sample with a confirmatory factor analysis, which did support the hypothesis that these are significant and independent dimensions of impulsivity. This research indicates there are at least three separate subtypes of impulsive behavior when using laboratory behavioral assessments with adolescent participants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)124-131
Number of pages8
JournalExperimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2008

Keywords

  • adolescence
  • attention
  • delay discounting
  • humans
  • impulsivity
  • inhibition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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