Impulsive responses to emotion as a transdiagnostic vulnerability to internalizing and externalizing symptoms

J Affect Disord. 2013 Sep 25;150(3):872-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.05.004. Epub 2013 May 31.

Abstract

Introduction: This study explored the hypothesis that impulsive reactions to heightened emotion may reflect a transdiagnostic vulnerability to both externalizing and internalizing symptoms.

Methods: A sample of undergraduates completed self-report measures of aggression, borderline personality disorder symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and alcohol problems, and a subset completed interviews that assessed suicidality. All participants also completed self-report measures relating to impulsivity. We predicted that emotion-reactive impulsivity, but not other aspects of impulsivity, would be related to the set of psychopathology symptoms.

Results: Multiple regression analyses found that emotion-reactive impulsivity was uniquely related to each of the psychopathology scales, whereas non-emotion-relevant impulsivity was uniquely related only to alcohol problems.

Conclusion: Discussion focuses on limitations and clinical implications.

Keywords: Aggression; Alcohol Problems; Anxiety; Borderline; Emotion; Impulsivity; Transdiagnostic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / diagnosis*
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology*
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Regression Analysis
  • Self Report
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Young Adult