Alexithymia, Impulsivity, and Reward Sensitivity in Young Adult University Student Children of Alcoholics

Subst Use Misuse. 2019;54(2):340-344. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1512628. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Personality traits previously known as risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) were assessed in 29 young adult children of alcoholics (COAs) and 68 young adult children of nonalcoholics (non-COAs). Male and female university students (Mage = 22.11 years) completed questions pertaining to demographics and alcohol use, and the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test; Toronto Alexithymia Scale; Barratt Impulsiveness Scale; Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire; and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales.

Results: Results indicated that personality traits of alexithymia, reward sensitivity, and impulsivity, as well as negative moods, were significantly elevated in COAs compared to non-COAs, independent of current alcohol consumption and drinking history.

Conclusions: Findings are consistent with familial transmission of AUD-associated personality traits in COAs, presumably via influences of genetics and/or familial environment.

Keywords: Alcohol; alexithymia; impulsivity; reward.

MeSH terms

  • Adult Children / psychology*
  • Adult Children / statistics & numerical data
  • Affect
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Alcoholism*
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Child of Impaired Parents / psychology*
  • Child of Impaired Parents / statistics & numerical data
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior*
  • Male
  • Personality
  • Reward
  • Self Concept
  • Universities
  • Young Adult