Impulsivity related personality traits and cigarette smoking in adults: A meta-analysis using the UPPS-P model of impulsivity and reward sensitivity

Dimitra Kale; Kaidy Stautz; Andrew Cooper

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.01.003

Impulsivity related personality traits and cigarette smoking in adults: A meta-analysis using the UPPS-P model of impulsivity and reward sensitivity

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018 Apr 1:185:149-167. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.01.003. Epub 2018 Feb 9.

Authors

Dimitra Kale¹, Kaidy Stautz², Andrew Cooper³

Affiliations

¹ Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK. Electronic address: dkale001@gold.ac.uk.
² Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
³ Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK.

PMID: 29453142
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.01.003

Abstract

Background: Although there is considerable evidence of an association between impulsivity and cigarette smoking, the magnitude of this association varies across studies. Impulsivity comprises several discrete traits that may influence cigarette use in different ways. The present meta-analysis aims to examine the direction and magnitude of relationships between specific impulsivity-related traits, namely lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking, negative urgency, positive urgency and reward sensitivity and both smoking status and severity of nicotine dependence in adults across studies and to delineate differences in effects across these relationships.

Methods: Ninety-seven studies were meta-analysed using random-effects models to examine the relationship between impulsivity-related traits and smoking status and severity of nicotine dependence. A number of demographic and methodological variables were also assessed as potential moderators.

Results: Smoking status and severity of nicotine dependence were significantly associated with all impulsivity-related traits except reward sensitivity. Lack of premeditation and positive urgency showed the largest associations with smoking status (r = 0.20, r = 0.24 respectively), while positive urgency showed the largest association with severity of nicotine dependence (r = 0.23). Study design moderated associations between lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance and smoking status, with larger effects found in cross-sectional compared to prospective studies.

Conclusions: Finding suggest that impulsivity is associated with an increased likelihood of being a smoker and greater nicotine dependence. Specific impulsivity-related traits differentially relate to smoking status and severity of nicotine dependence. Understanding the complexity of impulsivity-related traits in relation to smoking can help to identify potential smokers and could inform cessation treatment.

Keywords: Impulsivity; Meta-analysis; Reward sensitivity; Smoking; UPPS-P model.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Cigarette Smoking*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Impulsive Behavior / physiology*
Models, Psychological*
Personality / physiology*
Prospective Studies
Reward*
Smoking / psychology*