Article

Does the tendency to act impulsively underlie binge eating and alcohol use problems? An empirical investigation

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Abstract

The co-occurrence of problem drinking and binge eating and purging has been well documented. However, there has been relatively little investigation of etiological models that may influence the development of this co-occurrence. This study tests the hypotheses that impulsivity is heightened in eating disordered women compared with controls, and that women with comorbid bulimia and alcohol use disorders show higher impulsivity than bulimic-only women. The Impulsivity scale, BIS/BAS scales, State Anxiety Inventory, and a behavioural measure of reward responsiveness (CARROT) were administered to 22 women with bulimia, 23 women with comorbid bulimia and alcohol abuse/dependence, and 21 control women. As hypothesised, eating disordered women scored higher than controls on several self-report measures of impulsivity and sorted cards faster during a financially rewarded trial on the behavioural task. Also, as predicted, comorbid women scored higher than bulimic women on the Impulsivity scale. These findings suggest that individual differences in impulsiveness and a tendency to approach rewarding stimuli may contribute to developing these disorders.

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... In OW/OB studies, the most frequently used tasks are the DDT and the IGT. Less frequently applied measures of reward-related decision making are the Card Arranging Reward Responsiveness Objective Test (CARROT) (Kane et al., 2004), the Monetary Guessing Task (MGT) , and the Implicit Wanting Task for Food (Cowdrey et al., 2013) in EDs, and the Door Opening Task (DOT) (Nederkoorn et al., 2006a) as well as the Revised Strategy Application Test (RST) (Verdejo-Garcia et al., 2010) in OW/OB populations. ...
... Some studies found heightened levels of impulsive decision making towards non-food stimuli in patients with AN (Abbate- Daga et al., 2011;Brogan et al., 2010;Cavedini et al., 2006;Danner et al., 2012;Fagundo et al., 2012;Galimberti et al., 2013;Garrido and Subira, 2013;Steinglass et al., 2012;Tchanturia et al., 2007Tchanturia et al., , 2012, whereas others failed to demonstrate such an alteration Bosanac et al., 2007;Cavedini et al., 2004;Chan et al., 2014). Similarly, there is mixed evidence for impulsive decision making in response to non-food reward stimuli in BN that is either increased (Brand et al., 2007;Brogan et al., 2010;Chan et al., 2014;Kane et al., 2004;Liao et al., 2009) or equal as compared to healthy controls (Bosanac et al., 2007;Van den Eynde et al., 2012;Wu et al., 2013a). Only a few studies have examined reward-related decision making in BED so far, and only one of these studies found differences between patients with BED and healthy controls (Svaldi et al., 2010). ...
... Control groups were well-matched with patient groups for educational levels (or IQ scores) in most of the studies. Nine articles reported no comorbid Axis-I diagnosis in their patient groups (Bodell et al., 2014;Brand et al., 2007;Cavedini et al., 2004Cavedini et al., , 2006Galimberti et al., 2013;Kane et al., 2004;Matsumoto et al., 2015;Steinglass et al., 2012;Voon et al., 2014). Six articles reported that their patient groups were free of psychotropic medication (Aloi et al., 2015;Brand et al., 2007;Cavedini et al., 2006;Fagundo et al., 2012;Galimberti et al., 2013;Voon et al., 2014). ...
Article
Background: Heightened sensitivity towards reward and insensitivity towards disadvantageous consequences may constitute a driving factor underlying unrestricted food intake and consequent weight gain in people with overweight and obesity. Therefore, the present study applied a behavioral economics approach to investigate the potential contribution of poor reward-related decision making to unsuccessful long-term weight loss maintenance (i.e. weight cycling). Based on previous research, it was expected that successful long-term weight loss maintainers would show a better performance in a gambling task than their less successful counterparts. Methods: Reward-related decision making was assessed post hoc using the Game of Dice Task in a total of 33 overweight and obese women who had either (a) successfully maintained initial weight loss of at least 10% of their body weight over one year or (b) had regained weight until at least their initial body weight prior to weight reduction (i.e. showed weight cycling). Results: The groups did not differ in terms of age, current body weight, magnitude of initial weight reduction, educational level, global intelligence level, and working memory. As hypothesized, however, the group of successful long-term weight loss maintainers performed significantly better (i.e. showed less impulsive, more advantageous choices) in the Game of Dice Task than their less successful counterparts. Conclusions: The findings suggest that poor reward-related decision making is associated with weight cycling which is considered a key concern in weight loss treatments for overweight and obesity. Furthermore, the findings speak in favor of specific psychological interventions that are designed to bolster reward-related decision making.
... mesocorticolimbic pathways) (Di Chiara et al., 2004;Risinger, Freeman, Rubinstein, Low, & Grandy, 2000). This triggers the initiation of "approach" behavior aimed at obtaining the reward (Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). People high in reward sensitivity are assumed to have a highly sensitive BAS-system, easily activated by rewards and exhibiting stronger appetitive responses compared to people low in reward sensitivity. ...
... Furthermore, Reward Sensitivity has been considered a risk factor for eating disorders (Claes, Nederkoorn, Vandereycken, Guerrieri, & Vertommen, 2006;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). Since Reward Sensitivity is related to approach behavior , it might be assumed that individuals with eating disorders characterized by a food approach behavior are more sensitive to reward compared to healthy controls Loxton & Dawe, 2001). ...
... Since Reward Sensitivity is related to approach behavior , it might be assumed that individuals with eating disorders characterized by a food approach behavior are more sensitive to reward compared to healthy controls Loxton & Dawe, 2001). Consistent with this assumption, patients with eating disorders involving binge eating were found to be more sensitive to reward compared to healthy controls Kane et al., 2004). ...
... Daily intake of snacks and sugar sweetened beverages was higher in individuals with higher Reward Sensitivity, especially in adolescent girls (De Cock et al., 2015). Furthermore, Reward Sensitivity has been considered a risk factor for eating disorders (Kane et al., 2004;Claes et al., 2006). Since Reward Sensitivity is related to approach behavior (Gray, 1994), it might be assumed that individuals with eating disorders characterized by a FApB are more sensitive to reward compared to healthy controls (Loxton and Dawe, 2001;Harrison et al., 2010). ...
... Since Reward Sensitivity is related to approach behavior (Gray, 1994), it might be assumed that individuals with eating disorders characterized by a FApB are more sensitive to reward compared to healthy controls (Loxton and Dawe, 2001;Harrison et al., 2010). Consistent with this assumption, patients with eating disorders involving binge eating have been found to be more sensitive to reward compared to healthy controls (Kane et al., 2004;Harrison et al., 2010). ...
... The BAS is thought to respond to rewarding environmental stimuli by activation of the dopaminergic system (Gray, 1994;Depue and Collins, 1999) in the brain regions implicated in reward processing (i.e., mesocorticolimbic pathways) (Risinger et al., 2000;Di Chiara et al., 2004). This triggers the initiation of "approach" behavior aimed at obtaining the reward (Kane et al., 2004). People high in Reward Sensitivity are assumed to have a highly sensitive BAS-system, easily activated by reward and exhibiting stronger appetitive responses compared to people low in Reward Sensitivity. ...
Article
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It has recently been suggested that individual differences in Reward Sensitivity and Punishment Sensitivity may determine how children respond to food. These temperamental traits reflect activity in two basic brain systems that respond to rewarding and punishing stimuli, respectively, with approach and avoidance. Via parent-report questionnaires, we investigate the associations of the general motivational temperamental traits Reward Sensitivity and Punishment Sensitivity with Food Approach and Food Avoidance in 98 preschool children. Consistent with the conceptualization of Reward Sensitivity in terms of approach behavior and Punishment Sensitivity in terms of avoidance behavior, Reward Sensitivity was positively related to Food Approach, while Punishment Sensitivity was positively related to Food Avoidance. Future research should integrate these perspectives (i.e., general temperamental traits Reward Sensitivity and Punishment Sensitivity, and Food Approach and Avoidance) to get a better understanding of eating behavior and related body weight.
... 15 Other dimensions of personality dysfunction have been implicated as important in the course of BN and engagement in risky behaviors, including dissocial behavior and social avoidance. 7,12 However, most studies have focused on emotion dysregulation-related personality traits, which have been found to be associated with risky behaviors in BN, including self-harm, 1,16 substance use, 7,15,17,18 and reckless behaviors (e.g., behaviors which fall more broadly under impulse control disorders 5,19,20 ). ...
... Of particular importance, we did not find significant unique associations between any risky behavior and trait emotion dysregulation. Although prior research has linked emotion dysregulation to multiple risky behaviors, 1,5,7,12,[15][16][17][18][19][20] it may be that each separate behavior is related to emotion dysregulation, but not independently of the other associations. In other words, emotion dysregulation does not appear to differentiate risky behaviors, but is likely similarly associated with all types of risky behaviors. ...
... Given that past or current substance abuse predicts poorer response to treatment in eating disorder patients, 30,31 it is important to have a better understanding of these co-occurring behaviors to develop more efficacious treatment strategies. The current findings, in combination with prior findings linking substance misuse in BN to trait emotion dysregulation, 7,[15][16][17][18] suggest that these individuals may benefit from treatments focusing on both improving emotion regulation and decreasing dissocial behavior. That is, individuals with BN who engage in substance use may benefit from specific, additional intervention strategies that address hostile interpersonal interactions as well as sensation seeking behavior. ...
Article
Objective: Individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) frequently endorse risky behaviors such as self-harm and substance use. However, no studies of BN to date have examined factors associated with engaging in individual or co-occurring risky behaviors. Given that individuals with BN often have personality psychopathology, which has been linked to symptoms and course of illness, this study sought to examine how personality may differentiate engagement in risky behaviors among BN individuals. Method: A sample of 133 women with BN completed self-report measures of personality psychopathology at baseline, and then reported on bulimic and risky behaviors (e.g., substance misuse, self-harm) over 2 weeks using ecological momentary assessment. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the unique associations between state-level predictor variables (each risky behavior, e.g., substance misuse, and combination of risky behaviors, e.g., substance misuse plus self-harm) and trait-level personality constructs. Results: Substance misuse behavior, above and beyond all other risky behaviors, was significantly associated with higher scores on trait dissocial behavior (P = 0.004). Discussion: Substance misuse in BN has a unique association with dissocial behavior, a personality trait characterized by hostility, impulsivity, and entitlement. These results suggest that targeting personality variables may help facilitate more effective treatment of risky behaviors, including substance use in BN. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016).
... Alcohol, other psychoactive substances, high calorie foods, media entertainment, gaming, and retail products are often consumed in excess, contributing to poorer health outcomes for many people. Rash impulsivity (RI) and reward-drive (RD) are associated with excess consumption of such products (Gullo, Loxton, & Dawe, 2014;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). This has lead to the suggestion that these traits may play a role in some people's general propensity for excessive and unhealthy consumption (Goodwin, Browne, Rockloff, & Donaldson, 2015a;Kane et al., 2004). ...
... Rash impulsivity (RI) and reward-drive (RD) are associated with excess consumption of such products (Gullo, Loxton, & Dawe, 2014;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). This has lead to the suggestion that these traits may play a role in some people's general propensity for excessive and unhealthy consumption (Goodwin, Browne, Rockloff, & Donaldson, 2015a;Kane et al., 2004). Recently, factor analytic studies have uncovered a potential latent trait reflecting individual differences in general consumption of hedonic stimuli (Goodwin et al., 2015a) and preferences toward particular types of reward (Goodwin, Browne, & Rockloff, 2015b). ...
... There has been a rapidly increasing body of evidence supporting the association between RD and a range of consumption behaviours (see Gullo et al., 2014 for a review). For example, heightened RD has been consistently associated with binge-eating, having a preference for foods high in fat and sugar, a preference for colourful and varied food, hazardous drinking, and an early age of drug experimentation (Davis et al., 2007;Dissabandara et al., 2014;Kane et al., 2004). ...
Article
Alcohol, other psychoactive substances, high calorie foods, media entertainment, gaming, and retail products are all forms of modern supernormal stimuli. They exhibit exaggerated features that activate evolved reward systems more so than the natural stimuli for which these systems are adapted. Recent findings suggest that people may vary in the strength of their preference toward supernormal stimuli. The current study assessed whether the two-factor model of impulsivity (Dawe & Loxton, 2004) predicts a preference for supernormal stimuli. A cross-sectional survey design (n = 5389) was used to measure anticipatory pleasure for both supernormal and natural-reward experiences; and their hypothesized antecedents: Rash impulsivity (RI) and reward drive (RD). As predicted, RI was positively associated with preference for supernormal stimuli and negatively associated with general anticipatory pleasure ratings. In contrast, RD was positively associated with general pleasure ratings, but explained little to no variance in supernormal preference when controlling for RI. The findings link trait rash impulsivity with increased sensitivity to supernormal stimuli, and provide new insights into both constructs.
... In OW/OB studies, the most frequently used tasks are the DDT and the IGT. Less frequently applied measures of reward-related decision making are the Card Arranging Reward Responsiveness Objective Test (CARROT) (Kane et al., 2004), the Monetary Guessing Task (MGT) , and the Implicit Wanting Task for Food (Cowdrey et al., 2013) in EDs, and the Door Opening Task (DOT) (Nederkoorn et al., 2006a) as well as the Revised Strategy Application Test (RST) (Verdejo-Garcia et al., 2010) in OW/OB populations. ...
... Some studies found heightened levels of impulsive decision making towards non-food stimuli in patients with AN (Abbate- Daga et al., 2011;Brogan et al., 2010;Cavedini et al., 2006;Danner et al., 2012;Fagundo et al., 2012;Galimberti et al., 2013;Garrido and Subira, 2013;Steinglass et al., 2012;Tchanturia et al., 2007Tchanturia et al., , 2012, whereas others failed to demonstrate such an alteration Bosanac et al., 2007;Cavedini et al., 2004;Chan et al., 2014). Similarly, there is mixed evidence for impulsive decision making in response to non-food reward stimuli in BN that is either increased (Brand et al., 2007;Brogan et al., 2010;Chan et al., 2014;Kane et al., 2004;Liao et al., 2009) or equal as compared to healthy controls (Bosanac et al., 2007;Van den Eynde et al., 2012;Wu et al., 2013a). Only a few studies have examined reward-related decision making in BED so far, and only one of these studies found differences between patients with BED and healthy controls (Svaldi et al., 2010). ...
... Control groups were well-matched with patient groups for educational levels (or IQ scores) in most of the studies. Nine articles reported no comorbid Axis-I diagnosis in their patient groups (Bodell et al., 2014;Brand et al., 2007;Cavedini et al., 2004Cavedini et al., , 2006Galimberti et al., 2013;Kane et al., 2004;Matsumoto et al., 2015;Steinglass et al., 2012;Voon et al., 2014). Six articles reported that their patient groups were free of psychotropic medication (Aloi et al., 2015;Brand et al., 2007;Cavedini et al., 2006;Fagundo et al., 2012;Galimberti et al., 2013;Voon et al., 2014). ...
... A review of the literature in the field of addiction research demonstrates that studies examining the usefulness of RST in accounting for drug taking behaviour have only emerged over the past decade. Several studies conducted during this time have explored the relationship between the BAS and alcohol use (e.g., De Pino, 2004;Franken, 2002;Johnson, Turner, & Iwata, 2003;Jorm et al., 1999;Kambouropoulos & Staiger, 2001;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004;Loxton & Dawe, 2001). Results from these studies have consistently demonstrated a relationship between reward sensitivity and alcohol use. ...
... Somewhat inconsistent results have been reported by Kane et al. (2004). In their study, higher levels of BAS reward responsiveness was reported in a sample of 23 young female bulimics displaying comorbid alcohol abuse or dependence compared to a sample of 21 controls. ...
... These results suggest that SR may distinguish individuals with comorbid bulimia and alcohol use disorders from non-disordered individuals. Kane et al. (2004) did not find any relationship between the BIS and alcohol use. The authors reported that BIS levels differed significantly between young women with bulimia nervosa and females with comorbid bulimia nervosa and alcohol use or controls, but that there was no significant difference in BIS levels between comorbic bulimic and alcohol abusing females and controls. ...
... En raekke studier (f.eks. Hatsukami et al., 1982;Fahy & Eisler, 1993;Kane et al., 2004) viser således en øget forekomst af impulsivitet hos bulimikere 1 . Ligeledes viser flere studier (Peñas-Lledó & Waller, 2001;Lyke & Spinella, 2004) en sammenhaeng mellem impulsivitet og bulimiske traek i ikke-kliniske grupper, og også Kane et al. (2004) finder en klart forhøjet forekomst af impulsivitet hos bulimikere og isaer hos de, der samtidig har et alkoholmisbrug. ...
... Hatsukami et al., 1982;Fahy & Eisler, 1993;Kane et al., 2004) viser således en øget forekomst af impulsivitet hos bulimikere 1 . Ligeledes viser flere studier (Peñas-Lledó & Waller, 2001;Lyke & Spinella, 2004) en sammenhaeng mellem impulsivitet og bulimiske traek i ikke-kliniske grupper, og også Kane et al. (2004) finder en klart forhøjet forekomst af impulsivitet hos bulimikere og isaer hos de, der samtidig har et alkoholmisbrug. Tilsvarende har Cloninger (1987) i et studie af tidligt debuterende misbrugere fundet høj impulsivitet. ...
Article
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Spiseforstyrrelser er blevet anskuet ud fra mange perspektiver og er blevet kategoriseret som en særlig variant af en lang række psykiatriske lidelser. I denne artikel vil spiseforstyrrelser blive diskuteret ud fra et afhængighedsperspektiv. Den empiriske baggrund for dette er, at mange undersøgelser har påvist en comorbiditet eller et slægtskab mellem misbrugstilstande og spiseforstyrrelser. Der foreligger endvidere en række undersøgelser, der har påvist sammenhænge mellem de to diagnostiske grupper på såvel et biologisk som et personlighedsmæssigt niveau. Tre hovedmodeller vil blive præsenteret: 1) En model, der fokuserer på en øget forekomst af angst og depression hos såvel misbrugstilstande som spiseforstyrrelser, 2) en model, der fokuserer på manglende impulskontrol, og 3) en model, der fokuserer på obsessive-kompulsive træk. De tre modeller diskuteres i relation til Peter Fonagys forskning i affektforvaltning, tilknytning og mentalisering. Afslutningsvis redegøres for de behandlingsmæssige konsekvenser af at betragte spiseforstyrrelser ud fra henholdsvis et afhængigheds- og mentaliseringsperspektiv.
... 1. teigiamas BAS ir daþnesnio alkoholio vartojimo (Brunelle et al., 2004;Loxton and Dawe, 2001;Kane et al., 2004), bulimijos (Kane et al., 2004), impulsyvaus elgesio (Ávila and Parcet, 2001), agresyvaus elgesio (Rothbart and Jones, 1998;Wingrove et al., 1999) ryðys; 2. neigiamas BIS ir impulsyvaus elgesio (Ávila and Parcet, 2001), agresyvaus elgesio (Wingrove and Bond, 1998) ryðys; 3. teigiamas BIS ir padidëjusio jautrumo galimiems dideliems praloðimams, maþesnio noro rizikuoti, geresnës elgesio kontrolës (Rothbart et al., 2000) ryðys; 4. teigiamas BAS ir emocijø reguliavimo naudojant iðstûmimo mechanizmà (Tomarken and Davidson, 1994) ryðys. Remiantis pirmiau minëtø autoriø sieki-mo / vengimo motyvacijos bei elgesá slopinanèios ir skatinanèios sistemø (BIS / BAS) teoriniais modeliais, taip pat apraðytais empiriniø tyrimø rezultatais, galima prognozuoti, kad stresinëse situacijose: 1. BAS teigiamai siesis su liûdesio, nusivylimo, nepasitenkinimo, pykèio emocinëmis reakcijomis; 2. BIS teigiamai siesis su baimës, nerimo emocinëmis reakcijomis; 3. BAS teigiamai siesis su daþnesniu agresyvaus pobûdþio streso áveikos strategijø naudojimu; 4. BIS teigiamai siesis su retesniu agresyvaus pobûdþio streso áveikos strategijø naudojimu; 5. BAS teigiamai siesis su impulsyvø elgesá atspindinèiomis streso áveikos strategijomis: persivalgymu, alkoholio vartojimu, azartiniais þaidimais, spontaniðku pirkimu ir pan.; 6. BIS neigiamai siesis su impulsyvø elgesá atspindinèiomis streso áveikos strategijomis: persivalgymu, alkoholio vartojimu, azartiniais þaidimais, spontaniðku pirkimu ir pan.; 7. BAS teigiamai siesis su emocijø slopinimo streso áveikos strategija; 8. BAS teigiamai siesis su optimistine nuostata streso áveikos atþvilgiu. ...
... 1. teigiamas BAS ir daþnesnio alkoholio vartojimo (Brunelle et al., 2004;Loxton and Dawe, 2001;Kane et al., 2004), bulimijos (Kane et al., 2004), impulsyvaus elgesio (Ávila and Parcet, 2001), agresyvaus elgesio (Rothbart and Jones, 1998;Wingrove et al., 1999) ryðys; 2. neigiamas BIS ir impulsyvaus elgesio (Ávila and Parcet, 2001), agresyvaus elgesio (Wingrove and Bond, 1998) ryðys; 3. teigiamas BIS ir padidëjusio jautrumo galimiems dideliems praloðimams, maþesnio noro rizikuoti, geresnës elgesio kontrolës (Rothbart et al., 2000) ryðys; 4. teigiamas BAS ir emocijø reguliavimo naudojant iðstûmimo mechanizmà (Tomarken and Davidson, 1994) ryðys. Remiantis pirmiau minëtø autoriø sieki-mo / vengimo motyvacijos bei elgesá slopinanèios ir skatinanèios sistemø (BIS / BAS) teoriniais modeliais, taip pat apraðytais empiriniø tyrimø rezultatais, galima prognozuoti, kad stresinëse situacijose: 1. BAS teigiamai siesis su liûdesio, nusivylimo, nepasitenkinimo, pykèio emocinëmis reakcijomis; 2. BIS teigiamai siesis su baimës, nerimo emocinëmis reakcijomis; 3. BAS teigiamai siesis su daþnesniu agresyvaus pobûdþio streso áveikos strategijø naudojimu; 4. BIS teigiamai siesis su retesniu agresyvaus pobûdþio streso áveikos strategijø naudojimu; 5. BAS teigiamai siesis su impulsyvø elgesá atspindinèiomis streso áveikos strategijomis: persivalgymu, alkoholio vartojimu, azartiniais þaidimais, spontaniðku pirkimu ir pan.; 6. BIS neigiamai siesis su impulsyvø elgesá atspindinèiomis streso áveikos strategijomis: persivalgymu, alkoholio vartojimu, azartiniais þaidimais, spontaniðku pirkimu ir pan.; 7. BAS teigiamai siesis su emocijø slopinimo streso áveikos strategija; 8. BAS teigiamai siesis su optimistine nuostata streso áveikos atþvilgiu. ...
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Self-regulation of behavior maintains purposeful behavior of the people in the presence of changing conditions of environment. Various external and internal stressors hinder from the achievement of aims and raise the condition of psychological stress. One of the most important factors influencing the mode of psychological stress and coping with it cognitive appraisal of the situation. Other important factor – the mode of prevailing motivation. The attitude that two fundamental tendencies – avoidance and approach prevail in the human motivation, has many followers in various branches of psychology. The conducted researches indicate different influence of avoidance/approach motivation on the emotional reactions, cognitive processes and behaviour. We have carried out the research, where we were seeking to assess the relation of the dominating motivation systems to the emotional reactions arising during the stress and the selection of coping strategies. The sensitivity of motivation systems was measured using BIS / BAS scales (Carver and White, 1994). The selection of coping strategies was assessed by “Four factor coping questionnaire” (Grakauskas and Valickas, 2006). For the emotional reactions evaluation 7 points Likert scale was used. Stressful situation was created using hard tasks and limiting the time of their solving. The research results confirmed the relation of different motivation systems (BIS / BAS) domination and different emotional reactions experienced during the stress and the selected stress coping strategie. Behaviour activation system (BAS) positively correlated with positive emotional reactions (joy, relief) and negatively with negative ones – anxiety, sadness, anger (p ≤ 0,01). Behaviour inhibition system (BIS) positively correlated with negative emotional reactions (anxiety, sadness, anger) and negatively with positive (joy, relief) (p ≤ 0,01). Behaviour activation system (BAS) positively correlated with “avoidance” (p ≤ 0,01) and behaviour inhibition system (BIS) with “emotional discharge” (p ≤ 0,01) coping strategy. These results allow to state that there is the ground to speak about different motivation systems, different goals mode and behaviour self regulation types (directed to the achievement of wanted condition or avoidance of the unwanted one) influence on the experienced psychological stress and coping.
... This individual characteristic is assumed to reflect the sensitivity of a neuropsychological system, the Behavioral Approach System (BAS). The BAS reacts to positive, rewarding environmental stimuli by activation of the dopaminergic system (Gray, 1994), which initiates approach behavior in order to obtain the rewarding goal (Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). Following the neuropsychological conceptualization of reward sensitivity, it is assumed that individuals high in reward sensitivity would exhibit more approach behavior to consume rewarding food items, which in turn, would contribute to weight gain (Davis et al., 2007). ...
... The indirect effect suggests that reward sensitivity is primarily associated with concrete food approaching behaviors, such as external eating and food responsive behavior, rather than with the development of overweight per se. This finding is line with the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (Gray, 1994), positing that the Behavioral Approach System (BAS), which reflects an individual's reward sensitivity, is activated when confronted with rewarding stimuli (Depue & Collins, 1999;Gray, 1994), thereby eliciting approach behavior toward the rewarding stimuli (Kane et al., 2004). High-energy products, which are highly rewarding stimuli (Epstein, Leddy, Temple, & Faith, 2007), elicit a stronger BAS activation in individuals high in reward sensitivity. ...
Article
Background: During the last three decades, the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has increased worldwide. It is well established that different child-related factors such as food approach behaviors (i.e. eating behaviors that imply movements towards food) contribute to the development of overweight. However, research is lacking on the underlying mechanisms leading to food approach behaviors, which in turn lead to overweight. Subject/methods: Via parent-report questionnaires, we investigated the relation between the personality trait reward sensitivity and body weight in a convenience sample of 211 children aged 2.5-9 years. We further investigated the intervening role of food approach behaviors in the association between reward sensitivity and body weight. Results: Unexpectedly, there was no direct association between reward sensitivity and body weight. Despite the absence of a direct effect, a significant indirect association was found between reward sensitivity and body weight through the intervening food approach variables (i.e. food responsive behavior and external eating). Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of the focus on eating behaviors as well as trait characteristics in prevention programs for overweight.
... The aims of the study were: A) to analyze the prevalence of binge eating in obese patients with severe FC who attend weight control programs; and B) to assess differences in personality and clinical correlates between overweight/obese patients with intense food craving and patients who report mild FC. Concordant with past research, we hypothesized that obese patients with intense FC (compared to patients with mild FC): 1) are at higher risk for developing binge eating; and 2) report higher BIS/BAS activity (49)(50)(51)(52). ...
... BIS is also implicated in the expression of negative affective states, such as fear and anxiety in response to punishment cues. Recently, Loxton et al. (49) and Kane et al. (50) reported that both heightened BIS and BAS sensitivity were associated with dysfunctional eating and bulimia. Thus, while literature indicated that abnormal eating habits are usually linked to both impulsivity and anxiety, our results indicate that food craving and binge eating are mostly associated with the expression of negative affective states, such as fear and anxiety in response to punishment cues. ...
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Background and aims: Obesity is largely due to abnormal eating habits. The present study analyzed the prevalence of binge eating in obese patients with intense food craving (FC) who were attending weight control programs, and assessed whether binge eating and FC were associated with BIS/BAS sensitivity. Methods: Participants were 102 consecutive Italian overweight/obese patients (BMI≥25 kg/m 2). The patients were administered the State and Trait Food Cravings Questionnaire, trait version (FCQ-T), the BIS/BAS (behavioral inhibition/behavioral approach systems) Scale, and the Binge Eating Scale (BES). Results: 57.8% of the patients reported intense FC. Patients with intense FC (compared to patients with mild FC) had higher BES scores (19.56±7.52 vs 7.65±4.83; t 100=9.10; p<0.001), and higher BIS sensitivity (22.63±2.76 vs 21.26±2.61; t 100=2.34; p<0.05). BES scores were associated with all the dimensions of the FCQ-T, with r values between 0.50 and 0.78. Furthermore, the BES was significantly associated with higher BIS activity (r=0.28; p<0.01). Conclusions: Our results confirmthat obesity is strictly linked to food craving and binge eating, and that intense food craving may be seen as a powerful precursor of binge eating.
... An alternative interpretation of the present findings is that BD and BE are different manifestations of a general vulnerability factor of emotional dysregulation, which could be shared by different behavioral and addictive disorders [27]. For instance, some authors proposed that impulsiveness acts as a general predisposition rather than a consequence of binge disorders [66,128]. In this sense, the study of Nagata et al.'s group (2000) [129] observed that multi-impulsive women engage in a variety of impulsive behaviors, of which substance misuse and binge-eating are two; a tendency towards rash-spontaneous impulsiveness appears to be a core feature that is common to all these behaviors. ...
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Adolescence and youth are critical periods in which alcohol consumption is usually initiated, especially in the form of binge drinking. In recent years, it is increasingly common to find adolescents and young people who also present binge behaviors towards unhealthy food with the aim of alleviating their anxiety (emotional eating) and/or because of impulsive personality. Despite the social and health relevance of this issue, it remains scarcely studied and more preventive research needs to be developed. Our meta-analysis study aimed to evaluate the relationship and co-occurrence of both binge behaviors during adolescence and young adulthood to clarify the link between binge drinking and eating. Selective literature search on different online databases was performed. We identified discrete but significant results regarding the direct association between binge drinking and binge eating in correlation coefficients and odds ratio. Future research should focus on the common psychological background and motives behind these problematic behaviors owing to their clinical implications for effective prevention and treatment.
... To summarise, all co-morbid behaviours associated with binge eating, show consistent and significant relationships with impulsivity, indeed, higher levels of comorbid symptomatologies are indicative of higher levels of impulsivity (Bulik, Sullivan, Weltzin & Kay, 1995;Kane, Loxton, Staiger & Dawe, 2004). These specific problem behaviours tend to cluster together, such that individuals who exhibit one type of problem behaviour tend to exhibit a behavioural repertoire of engaging in several types of myopic or short-sighted behaviour. ...
Thesis
p>Lacey and Evans' (1986) Multi-Impulsivist Theory suggests that impulsivity is a key factor underlying the propensity to binge eat, and it may be equally or more closely associated with the core features of binge eating psychopathology such as negative affect and cognitive restraint. Theoretical perspectives are discussed and the literature review examines the relationship between binge eating and impulsivity by discussing the co-morbid symptomatologies mat exist between binge eating and other impulse dysregulated disorders. A specific focus addresses the multi-dimensional nature of impulsivity and its inherent methodological and theoretical considerations. The literature review suggests that the use of a behavioural delay discounting procedure to measure impulsivity would elucidate the relationship between binge eating and impulsivity. The empirical study used a behavioural delay-discounting task to measure levels of impulsivity in a group of binge eaters and a group of controls. It also investigated the utility of using a delay discounting procedure to understand the 'loss of control' phenomenon in binge eating behaviour. In line with previous research, both self-report and delay-discounting measures evidenced significantly higher levels of impulsivity in binge-eaters, although a lack of correlations between behavioural and self-report measures were identified. The study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that the delay-discounting model may be a useful utility to predict the 'loss of control' phenomenon inherent in binge eaters, although future research is required to consolidate and support this utility. These findings have implications for clinical interventions, which may lead to the development of more effective treatments.</p
... Like alexithymia, trait impulsivity has also been linked to alcohol abuse and dependence (Littlefield & Sher, 2010), eating disorders (Beck et al., 2009;Claes et al., 2002;Kane et al., 2004) and internet addiction (Dalbudak et al., 2013;Lyvers et al., 2016;Ryu et al., 2018). Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct that Dawe et al. (2004) suggested is best conceptualized in the context of substance abuse by a two-factor model, the 2-Component Approach to Reinforcing Substances (2-CARS) model (Gullo & Dawe, 2008;Gullo et al., 2010;Stautz et al., 2017), incorporating rash impulsiveness and reward drive. ...
Article
Objective Exercise dependence refers to excessive exercise accompanied by addiction-like symptoms such as craving, tolerance, withdrawal, impaired control, and disruption of life domains. The present study investigated whether personality traits linked to substance and behavioural addictions show similar associations with symptoms of exercise dependence. Method Alexithymia and two forms of impulsivity, rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity, were assessed in relation to exercise dependence symptoms in a sample of 99 physically active young adult men and women. Results All three traits showed significant positive correlations with exercise dependence symptoms and were significant predictors of such symptoms in a hierarchical regression model. Alexithymia was the strongest predictor and fully mediated the contribution of rash impulsiveness according to bootstrapped mediation analysis. Conclusions Findings suggest similar associations of addiction-linked traits with symptoms of exercise dependence and are discussed in terms of potential mechanisms. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Exercise can become compulsive for some, with exercise dependence defined by addiction-like symptoms. (2) Alexithymia has been implicated as a risk factor for substance and behavioural addictions. (3) Two forms of impulsivity, rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity, have been implicated as risk factors for substance and behavioural addictions. What this topic adds: (1) In physically active young adults, alexithymia was positively associated with symptoms of exercise dependence. (2) In physically active young adults, rash impulsiveness and reward sensitivity were positively associated with symptoms of exercise dependence. (3) Alexithymia fully explained the association of rash impulsiveness with exercise dependence symptoms.
... and punishment, whereas the SPSRQ items often include specific situational triggers related to punishment and reward (e.g., "Do you often meet people that you find physically attractive?"). Patients with EDs (AN-R, AN-BP, or BN) typically report significantly higher scores on punishment sensitivity (BIS/SP) compared to healthy controls [8,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. When comparing different ED subtypes, most studies did not find significant differences among AN-R, AN-BP, or BN patients [8,25,29,30]. ...
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Although it has been postulated that eating disorders (EDs) and obesity form part of a broad spectrum of eating- and weight-related disorders, this has not yet been tested empirically. In the present study, we investigated interindividual differences in sensitivity to punishment, sensitivity to reward, and effortful control along the ED/obesity spectrum in women. We used data on 286 patients with eating disorders (44.6% AN-R, 24.12% AN-BP, and 31.82% BN), 126 healthy controls, and 640 Class II/III obese bariatric patients (32.81% Class II and 67.19% Class III) with and without binge eating. Participants completed the behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation scales, as well as the effortful control scale, to assess sensitivity to punishment and reward and effortful control. Results showed that patients with EDs scored significantly higher on punishment sensitivity (anxiety) compared to healthy controls and Class II/III obese patients; the different groups did not differ significantly on reward sensitivity. Patients with binge eating or compensatory behaviors scored significantly lower on effortful control than patients without binge eating. Differences in temperamental profiles along the ED/obesity spectrum appear continuous and gradual rather than categorical. This implies that it may be meaningful to include emotion regulation and impulse regulation training in the treatment of both EDs and obesity.
... For patients with binge eating episodes, reward sensitivity may result in greater sensitivity toward food, on the other hand, rash spontaneous impulsively might contribute to the inability to inhibit, loss of control of their eating behaviors and inability to resist binge craving [13]. A Heightened reward sensitivity likely leads to a higher level of abnormal eating behaviors, especially within bulimic women [16]. ...
... Binge eating and binge drinking are increasing, often co-occurring phenomena, that negatively impact the life of youth (Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). Based on an ecological perspective of human development (Bronfenbrenner, 2005), the current research assumed that the onset of binge behaviors results from the interaction of individual and environmental factors. ...
Article
Framed within an ecological perspective of the onset of adolescent problem behaviors, the current study explored the joint role of parent-adolescents’ relationships and youth's individual factors in binge eating and drinking. Firstly, in line with pieces of research highlighting the beneficial impact of effective parenting on youth development, the present paper sought to enhance the knowledge about the positive influence of parental monitoring on youth's binge drinking and eating. Moreover, since literature evidenced that the explanatory mechanisms of the association between parental monitoring and binge behaviors are not fully explored, the study focused on the potential intervening role of sensation seeking and life satisfaction as mediators. The study design was cross-sectional and self-report questionnaires were administered among a population of 944 high school students (M = 16.35, SD = 1.31) living in Palermo (Italy). Path analysis showed that parental monitoring was directly and negatively related to both binge eating and binge drinking. Moreover, sensation seeking negatively mediated the relationships between parental monitoring and both binge behaviors, whereas life satisfaction only mediated between parental monitoring and binge eating. The current study provided data useful to understand the complex interrelations between intrapersonal (life satisfaction and personality trait, i.e. sensation seeking) and contextual factors (parent–child relationships) that may discourage or cause eating and alcohol use disorders among youth. Finally, implications for parents and practitioners working with youngsters were discussed.
... These findings suggest that it is possible for self-esteem to have a quantifiable effect on behaviour. Given the relevance of impulsive behaviour in BN (Claes, Nederkoorn, Vandereycken, Guerrieri, & Vertommen, 2006), binge eating (Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004) and restrained eating (Nederkoorn, Van Eijs, & Jansen, 2004), it is possible that implicit self-esteem can play a role in at least some aspects of disordered eating behaviour. ...
Thesis
This thesis focuses on the assessment of implicit cognition in disordered eating behaviour, and specifically on the role of implicit attitudes towards the self and food in sub-clinical levels of eating disorder (ED) pathology. Chapter I reviews key theoretical approaches to implicit cognition and an assessment of the properties of implicit attitudes. Chapter II discusses methodological approaches to implicit attitude assessment, with a focus on the Implicit Attitude Test (IAT) which was used in the empirical studies. Chapter III (Study 1) outlines research in implicit cognition in ED pathology and assesses differences in implicit self-esteem (i.e., implicit attitude towards the self) between high-pathology and low-pathology participants. While the results of the study supported the presence of a self-esteem discrepancy in the high-pathology group, the findings were insufficient to pursue further research in this area. The next three studies were focused on the role implicit food attitudes. Chapter IV (Study 2) introduces the hypothesis that implicit food attitudes and ego depletion may play a role in elevated ED pathology. However, the ego depletion procedure used was not successful and the results were therefore insufficient to either support or reject the hypothesis. Chapter V (Study 3) assessed similar questions to Study 2, but from the angle of automatic approach and avoidance towards food stimuli and dietary restraint failure. Contrary to expectations, the results suggested that it is unlikely that either ego depletion or a positive implicit attitude towards high-fat foods contributes to dietary restraint failure. Chapter VI (Study 4) was designed to clarify the findings of Study 3 and found that implicit food attitudes may change following novel goal activation or changes in behaviour. Chapter VII is a general discussion which summarises the findings, discusses the outcomes within the broader context of implicit cognition theories, and proposes directions for further study.
... Regularly repeated activities that affect health (health-related behavior) have significant consequences for physiological well-being. Inclination toward certain healthpromoting and health-risk behaviors is closely related to individual personality and temperamental traits (Kane et al., 2004;Vollrath and Torgersen, 2005). ...
Article
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Tendency toward healthy and health-risk behavior is associated with external factors, and healthy lifestyle affects its quality. Activation of Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and its association with sleeping habits provides insight into the correlates of voluntary sleep deprivation. Aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between BIS/BAS activity and reasons for voluntary sleep deprivation among young adults and to assess benefits and costs of decreasing sleep duration. Participants were 223 college students. The instruments used were the BIS/BAS Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a newly developed survey. Statistical analysis wasconducted using Mann-Whitney’s U-test and Spearman’s rho correlation. Increased BIS activity is positively correlated with the frequency of foregoing sleep to study (r = 0.19; p < 0.01), while activation of BAS Fun Seeking is associated with more frequent voluntary sleep deprivation due to work (r = 0.18; p < 0.05), social life (r = 0.34; p < 0.01), and participation in various types of entertainment (p = 0.24; p < 0.01). Analysis yielded a positive correlation between BAS activity and the amount of perceived benefits of cutting down sleep (p = 0.26; p < 0.01 for BAS Fun Seeking and p = 0.25; p < 0.01 for BAS Reward Responsiveness) and the magnitude of BIS activation and the number of perceived losses (r = 0.19; p < 0.01). Individuals with a higher BAS activity in the Reward Responsiveness subscale more often report choosing sleep deprivation voluntarily (r = 0.14; p < 0.5). The quality of sleep is related to BIS/BAS activation. The reasons for voluntary sleep deprivation differ depending on the level of BAS/BIS activation.
... Reward sensitivity is controlled by reward processing regions of the brain that initiate approach behaviors, which are behaviors used to obtain a reward. 12,13 Punishment sensitivity is controlled by the behavioral inhibition system, which is mediated by inhibitory centers in the brain, whose end goal is to avoid aversion. In the context of eating regulation, it would be theorized that individuals who are most successful at regulating their eating would be low in reward sensitivity (not highly motivated by food rewards, mainly palatable foods) and high in punishment sensitivity (highly motivated by the avoidance of a negative outcome, such as obesity). ...
... The activation of this neuropsychological brain system initiates approach behavior in order to obtain the rewarding goal (e.g. playing the game, eating the food) (Depue & Collins, 1999;Gray, 1981Gray, , 1987aKane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). In line with this theory, it was found that, compared to providing neutral instructions, children high in reward sensitivity were more willing to taste a disliked vegetable when they were rewarded for tasting with a token. ...
Article
The present study investigated the effectiveness of different strategies to increase the willingness to taste, liking and consumption of a disliked vegetable in preschool children, and the moderating role of reward sensitivity. Kindergarten classes (n = 8; preschool children: n = 154, 46,8% boys, age: M = 5.08, SD = 0.61) were assigned to one of four different conditions (i.e. Repeated Neutral Exposure, Repeated Exposure + social reward, Repeated Exposure + token reward and control condition). The results demonstrated that children's liking and consumption of the disliked vegetable significantly increased in the three active strategies (i.e. consumption and liking increases ranged from 10.1 to 20.6 g, and 34.1 to 51.8% respectively) compared to the control condition (i.e. consumption and liking increases ranged from 0.3 to 1.7 g, and 1.9 to 4.7% respectively). No significant differences were found between the three active strategies for all dependent variables. Little evidence was found for the moderating role of the individual characteristic reward sensitivity.
... Impulsivity, characterized by the tendency for rapid and rash reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard for the negative consequences of the reaction (Evenden, 1999), has been implicated as an important neurocognitive trait associated with binge eating Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004). One widely used framework for impulsivity includes three facets (Patton, Stanford, & Barratt, 1995). ...
Article
There is growing recognition that impulsivity may serve as an underlying risk factor for binge eating. In addition, the association of impulsivity with binge eating may be moderated by other affective and cognitive risk factors. This study examined independent and interactive associations of negative affect, dietary restraint, and facets of impulsivity with binge eating. A diverse sample of 566 undergraduate women completed online questionnaires of study variables. Results revealed a three-way interaction of negative affect, dietary restraint, and attentional impulsivity in relation to binge eating. Women who were high on each of these three variables reported the greatest levels of binge eating. In addition, a two-way interaction was found for negative affect and nonplanning impulsivity in relation to binge eating, such that nonplanning impulsivity strengthened the association between negative affect and binge eating. Attentional and nonplanning facets of impulsivity may function as an underlying trait-level risk factor interacts with affective and/or cognitive risk (e.g., negative affect, dietary restraint) factors to predict elevated binge eating.
... Impulsivity has been proposed as one of the links between eating disorders and substance use disorders [42]. For example, Kane et al. [43] have shown that women with comorbid bulimia and alcohol use disorders scored higher than bulimic women on Eysenck's Impulsiveness Scale. Furthermore, a study of university students has found that dispositional impulsivity (based on UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale) was strongly associated with food addiction symptoms [44]. ...
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Purpose: We aimed to determine the prevalence estimates of binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and food addiction in men with heroin use disorder and a matched sample of control participants. Methods: A group of 100 men with heroin use disorder, consecutively admitted to a detoxification and therapy unit, were screened for DSM-5 eating disorders, along with a group of 100 male controls of similar age, education, and body mass index. The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale-version 11, and the Eating Attitudes Test were used for data collection. Patients were also evaluated for various aspects of heroin use disorder (e.g., craving) using the Addiction Profile Index. Results: Binge eating disorder that met DSM-5 criteria was more prevalent in patients with heroin use disorder (21%) than in control subjects (8%) (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.3-7.3; p < 0.01). Food addiction based on the YFAS was also more common among men with heroin use disorder (28%) than among control participants (12%) (odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4-6.1; p < 0.01). A current food addiction was associated with more severe craving and having a history of suicide attempts in the patients. Conclusions: Co-occurring binge eating disorder and food addiction are highly frequent in men with heroin use disorder. Screening for binge eating disorder and food addiction in patients with substance use disorder is important, as interventions may improve treatment outcome in this patient group.
... Food is a primary reward, and the consumption of palatable food has long been known to increase mesolimbic dopamine availability (Hernandez & Hoebel, 1988 ). Not surprisingly, therefore, research using BAS -relevant trait measures has found heightened BAS in women who binge -eat (binge -eating being a defi ning criterion for bulimia nervosa and for the binge -purge sub -type of anorexia nervosa) and in women who score highly on self -report measures of dysfunctional eating (Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004 ;Loxton & Dawe, 2006. In the substance use literature, BAS -related traits have been associated with food cravings, a preference for foods high in fat and sugar, sensitivity to external food cues, and the tendency to overeat when depressed (Davis, Strachan, & Berkson, 2004 ;Franken & Muris, 2005 ). ...
Chapter
In this chapter we review the approach-avoidance process theory of personality proposed by Jeffrey Alan Gray (1970, 1973), now widely known as reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST). We begin by placing RST in the broader context of theory and research concerning approach and avoidance motivation. We then provide a snapshot of the animal research upon which the brain-behavior systems of RST were based. Next we discuss the vexed issue of how these systems might manifest themselves in personality space, and we review the latest empirical tests of RST as an explanation of personality variation. Finally, we consider applications of RST beyond personality: specifically, we review current opinion on the relevance of RST to psychopathology and clinical dysfunction and the potential for RST to underlie achievement motivation in learning and performance contexts. We conclude by looking to the future and highlighting a major challenge that we believe RST now faces.
... Table 1 lists the details of a selection of studies that have utilised popular self-report measures of disinhibited types of behaviour. This table also demonstrates that typical participant samples employed in Disinhibition research include those who are pathological gamblers (e.g., Ledgerwood, Alessi, Phoenix, & Petry, 2009;Linnet, Rojskjaer, Nygaard, & Maher, 2006), substance users (e.g., Hanson, Luciana, & Sullwold, 2008;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004), or clinical (e.g., Beck, Smiths, Claes, Vandereycken, & Bijttebier, 2009Flory et al., 2006;Rosval et al., 2006). Due to these taxonomies and varied samples, self-report measures of Disinhibition have been largely focused on linking Disinhibition with a wide range of related constructs such as urgency (Cyders & Smith, 2008), impulsivity (Clark, 1993;Clark & Watson, 1999), lack of restraint (Watson & Clark, 1993), sensation seeking (Zuckerman, 1979;Zuckerman, Kuhlman & Camac, 1988), effortful control (Moriya & Tanno, 2008) and Eysenck and Eysenck's (1975) Big Three factors (Markon, Krueger, & Watson, 2005). ...
Book
Personality and individual differences research is relevant to practically every facet of human existence. For instance, since theories of persons either explicitly or implicitly guide clinical work, the field contributes to discussions of understanding abnormal psychology and provides a guide for conceptualising best treatment. Additionally, the field is relevant to understanding human development across the lifespan, and our understanding of personality and individual differences impacts upon our views of socialisation and interpersonal relations. This book presents research which draws attention to the rich scientific literature that continues to emerge with respect to personality and individual differences psychology.
... Mindfulness did have a significant effect on the capacity for delaying rewards. This finding is clinically relevant, as some maladaptive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse and self-injury) are especially linked to the inability to delay gratification [37][38][39][40]. Mindfulness practice seems to facilitate the decrease of internally-driven behaviours as individuals became less influenced by mood and urges. ...
Article
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Impulsivity is considered a core characteristic of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Previous research on the effects of mindfulness training (MT) has shown that it might modify impulsivity-related aspects of BPD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of MT on various facets of impulsivity in BPD patients. Subjects with BPD diagnosis (n = 64) were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of MT (n = 32) or interpersonal effectiveness skills training (IE; n = 32). All participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention with a self-reported measure of impulsivity and five behavioral neuropsychological tasks to evaluate response inhibition, tolerance for delay rewards, and time perception. An interaction effect of time × group was only observed for some of the behavioral paradigms used. Participants in the MT group improved their ability to delay gratification and showed changes in time perception, consistent with a decrease in impulsivity. No differences were observed between treatments in terms of trait impulsivity and response inhibition. Mindfulness training might improve some aspects of impulsivity but not others. Further study is warranted to better determine the effects of mindfulness training on the components of impulsivity. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02397031.
... Moreover, we observed that impulsivity was associated with more purging behaviors and not only among those diagnosed with BN as was reported by Favaro et al. [44]. Similar to our study, others found that the binge groups (i.e., ANP, BN) showed more motor impulsiveness [45][46][47] and inattention [41] in comparison to healthy control group. ...
Article
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Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigates the tendencies toward impulsivity and self-control over the entire spectrum of the different eating disorders in comparison to healthy and recovered subjects. Methods: The study included 116 women, aged 18-35. Participants filled seven self-report questionnaires to assess eating disorders features and tendencies toward impulsivity and self-control and two computerized tasks (Go/No Go and Cognitive Delay Discounting) to examine motoric impulsivity. Results: There was a hierarchy of occurrence of impulsivity in the different categories of eating disorders. Cognitive impulsivity as well as motor impulsivity and global score of impulsivity were most prominent in the anorexia nervosa binging type. This hierarchy was correlated with the eating disorders symptoms. The lowest score in motor impulsivity was observed among restrictive patients with anorexia and the highest among patients with binging-purging anorexia, while all other groups were in between. Those with binging-purging anorexia demonstrated significantly different behavior in short term delays: they were less willing to delay gratification in comparison to other participants who demonstrated preference for the higher delayed reward. The impulse regulation and the ineffectiveness scores of both anorextic groups were higher in comparison to the other groups. These two variables were highly correlated with attentional impulsiveness. Conclusion: These findings suggest that bingeing and restricting behaviors may be seen as lying on opposite ends of a spectrum of impulsive behaviors. Individuals with AN-BP appear to have more in common with BN individuals as they share the tendency to display greater response Disinhibition and produce more impulsive behaviors. Since at this stage only a small sample size was analyzed these results are considered preliminary.
... The link between BAS and addictive behaviour is particularly important because it was predicted by most theorists in the field (e.g., Cloninger 1987). Empirical evidence shows that BAS predicts alcohol craving (Franken 2002), binge eating (Kane et al. 2004) and involvement in drugs (Knyazev, Slobodskaya, Kharchenko and Wilson 2004). BAS, as indexed by the GWPQ-S, is a better predictor of substance use than EPQ Psychoticism (Knyazev, Slobodskaya, Kharchenko and Wilson 2004). ...
Article
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Gray’s theory, now known as Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST), describes three major neuropsychological systems, the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS), the Behavioural Activation System (BAS) and the Fight-Flight System (FFS). In psychometric and experimental studies, only two of these have received confirmation. In particular, psychometric evidence does not support the existence of FFS as a unified dimension orthogonal to BIS and BAS (Wilson, Gray and Barrett 1990; Wilson, Barrett and Iwawaki 1995; Slobodskaya et al. 2001; Knyazev, Slobodskaya and Wilson 2004). This chapter will therefore concentrate upon the BIS and BAS dimensions. First, we comment on the position of BIS and BAS within the hierarchy of personality and temperament traits. Then we consider certain difficulties linked with research on the social implications of RST and summarize empirical evidence linking BIS and BAS with social adjustment. Finally, we offer an interpretation of this data and review scarce evidence regarding the moderating role of environmental factors and cognitive abilities on the relationship between BAS, BIS and social outcomes. BAS, BIS and hierarchical models of personality and temperament To a large extent, BAS and BIS could be viewed as the two highest-order dimensions of personality. Following the ‘Big Five’ and Eysenck’s ‘Giant Three’, we might perhaps dub these the ‘Gargantuan Two’. CFA studies of the Eysenck Personality Profiler usually find negative correlations between the Extraversion and Neuroticism factors (Eysenck, Wilson and Jackson 2000; Moosbrugger and Fischbach 2002; Knyazev, Belopolsky, Bodunov and Wilson 2004).
... Table 1 lists the details of a selection of studies that have utilised popular self-report measures of disinhibited types of behaviour. This table also demonstrates that typical participant samples employed in Disinhibition research include those who are pathological gamblers (e.g., Ledgerwood, Alessi, Phoenix, & Petry, 2009;Linnet, Rojskjaer, Nygaard, & Maher, 2006), substance users (e.g., Hanson, Luciana, & Sullwold, 2008;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004), or clinical (e.g., Beck, Smiths, Claes, Vandereycken, & Bijttebier, 2009Flory et al., 2006;Rosval et al., 2006). Due to these taxonomies and varied samples, self-report measures of Disinhibition have been largely focused on linking Disinhibition with a wide range of related constructs such as urgency (Cyders & Smith, 2008), impulsivity (Clark, 1993;Clark & Watson, 1999), lack of restraint (Watson & Clark, 1993), sensation seeking (Zuckerman, 1979;Zuckerman, Kuhlman & Camac, 1988), effortful control (Moriya & Tanno, 2008) and Eysenck and Eysenck's (1975) Big Three factors (Markon, Krueger, & Watson, 2005). ...
Article
The Excitation Transfer paradigm proposes that externally-caused residual arousal may later intensify unrelated feelings of attraction, and thus emphasising the role of situational variables. On the other hand, Emotional Intelligence (EI) involves an individual's internal capacity to interpret and engage with emotionally-relevant information. This study proposed that EI-(as assessed by the Trait-Meta Mood Scale-TMMS)-may moderate the Excitation Transfer effect. A sample of 104 female undergraduates was randomly allocated to complete a cognitive task whilst either seated at a table (control) or riding an exercise bike (aroused condition). Participants then viewed a video recording of a male confederate and rated his attractiveness on a 19-item First Impression Scale. Results indicated no main effects for arousal or EI on any factor of attractiveness. However further analysis demonstrated significant higher-order interactions between EI and arousal upon attractiveness factors. Specifically, individuals with higher EI scores were less likely to be influenced by irrelevant arousal. Results suggest that evaluative judgements of attractiveness are influenced by the interaction of personality and situational variables.
... Therefore, future research might benefit from consideration of the influence of personality trait differences on expression of evolved reward mechanisms. For example, rash impulsivity is often associated with dysfunctional behaviors such as substance use, gambling, excessive retail shopping, and binge eating (Benson, Norman, & Griffiths, 2011;Black, Shaw, McCormick, Bayless, & Allen, 2012;Dawe et al., 2004;Kane, Loxton, Staiger, & Dawe, 2004;McDaniel & Zuckerman, 2003;Petry, 2001), whereas reward sensitivity tends to predict approach to all rewarding experiences (not just illicit or unhealthy substance such as drugs of abuse or highly appetitive foods; Carver &White, 1994;Clark, Loxton, & Tobin, 2015;Gullo, Ward, Dawe, Powell, & Jackson, 2011;Harnett, Loxton, & Jackson, 2013;Loxton et al., 2008). It may be that these two personality constructs, among others, predict ones' preference toward supernormal stimuli. ...
Article
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Supernormal (SN) stimuli are artificial products that activate reward pathways and approach behavior more so than naturally occurring stimuli for which these systems were intended. Many modern consumer products (e.g., snack foods, alcohol, and pornography) appear to incorporate SN features, leading to excessive consumption, in preference to naturally occurring alternatives. No measure currently exists for the self-report assessment of individual differences or changes in susceptibility to such stimuli. Therefore, an anticipatory pleasure scale was modified to include items that represented both SN and natural (N) classes of rewarding stimuli. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution, and as predicted, N and SN items reliably loaded on separate dimensions. Internal reliability for the two scales was high, ρ 93 and ρ 90, respectively. The two-dimensional measure was evaluated via regression using the N and SN scale means as predictors and self-reports of daily consumption of 21 products with SN features as outcomes. As expected, SN pleasure ratings were related to higher SN product consumption, while N pleasure ratings had either negative or neutral associations to consumption of these products. We conclude that the resulting two-dimensional measure is a potentially reliable and valid self-report measure of differential preference for SN stimuli. While further evaluation is needed (e.g., using experimental measures), the proposed scale may play a useful role in the study of both trait-and state-based variation in human susceptibility to SN stimuli.
... So far, few studies have investigated the link between sensitivity to reward and relative body weight. However, initial evidence has suggested that individual difference variables, such as impulsivity, are associated with food intake (Kane, Loxton, Staiger, and Dawe, 2004; Nasser, Gluck, and Geliebter, 2004), relative body weight (Faith, Flint, Fairburn, Goodwin, and Allison, 2001), and obesity (Ryden et al., 2003). For example, people who are obese have been found to be more impulsive than people who are lean (e.g., Davis, Strachan, and Berkson, 2004; Ryden et al., 2003) and it has been suggested that impulsive people may be less able to retain control over eating behaviour (Nedderkoorn et al., 2007). ...
Article
The ability to appropriately regulate appetite appears to be intrinsic from birth. However as children develop and become socialised, problems with the control and regulation of appetite are commonplace, as evidenced by the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in later childhood and adulthood. This chapter explores different theories of appetite regulation and discusses the various eating behaviour traits which have been identified during early childhood. Although there are several aspects of parenting behaviour that may contribute to a child's appetite regulation, or lack of regulation, this chapter focuses on the impact of the feeding practices that parents employ, and the feeding environment that parents provide when parenting their children, in influencing children's eating behaviours, appetite and weight. This chapter also explores the literature on child temperament and its contribution to eating behaviour and appetite regulation. Although the literatures on parenting influence and child temperament have been poorly integrated in relation to early child eating, some speculative suggestions are made about how these two aspects of behaviour may interact together to influence the regulation and control of appetite in young children.
Article
Objective Alcohol and cannabis use are prevalent among individuals with binge‐spectrum eating disorders (B‐ED) and vary in terms of frequency and associated problems. The current study aimed to identify latent classes of alcohol and cannabis use patterns among B‐ED and examine associations between latent classes and demographic characteristics, eating disorder symptoms, and personality features. Methods Participants ( N = 236) were treatment‐seeking adults with B‐ED who completed a clinical interview of eating pathology and self‐report measures of alcohol and cannabis use in the past 3 months, alcohol and cannabis‐related problems, and personality features (i.e., impulsivity, affect lability). Results Latent class analysis identified three heterogeneous classes, labelled as (a) Low Alcohol, (b) Moderate Drinking and Problems with Occasional Cannabis Use, and (c) No Alcohol and Cannabis Use. Latent classes significantly differed in terms of substance use engagement and problems, demographic characteristics, dietary restraint, impulsive personality features, and affect lability. Conclusions Study findings support heterogeneity in alcohol and cannabis use among B‐ED and suggest patient characteristics and clinical severity associated with specific substance use presentations. Future research should replicate results using larger, diverse samples engaging in a broader range of alcohol and cannabis use symptoms.
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South Africa is undergoing a process of epidemiological transition from infectious to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While the burden of infectious diseases such as HIV and TB remains high, there are now other emerging epidemics of NCDs. NCDs, mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes represent a leading threat to human health and development. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, these four diseases are the world’s biggest killers, causing an estimated 35 million deaths each year – 60% of all deaths globally – with 80% in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2008). These diseases are preventable. Up to 80% of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and over a third of cancers could be prevented by eliminating shared risk factors, mainly tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. Unless addressed with urgency, the mortality and disease burden from these health problems will continue to increase in our country.
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Purpose Substance use disorder (SUD) frequently co-occurs with other psychological conditions, such as eating disorders (EDs). Psychological factors such as emotional dysregulation, rash impulsivity (RI) and reward sensitivity (RS) play a role in the etiology of each disorder, yet little is known about the combined effects of these on comorbid SUDs and EDs or disordered eating behaviours (DEBs). This study aims to examine the role of these psychological factors in comorbid DEBs and SUDs among individuals in treatment for SUDs. The role of gender is tested as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional self-report survey was completed by 131 participants attending Australian residential substance use treatment centres. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of emotional dysregulation, RI and RS on comorbid DEB and SUD. Further, moderation analyses were used to examine the moderating effect for gender on the relationship between these three personality variables and comorbidity. Findings The most commonly reported primary substance of use was alcohol (43.5%), followed by amphetamines (38.6%). Findings showed that emotional dysregulation and RI were significantly related to an increase in comorbidity likelihood; however, RS was not. Gender moderated the relationship between comorbidity and RI only. Originality/value The significant positive relationship found between RI and comorbidity for females only was a novel finding for the current study. Further research is needed to develop an understanding of the etiology of comorbidity.
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According to the Acquired Preparedness (AP) model of binge eating, individuals high in negative urgency are more likely to develop the expectancy that eating alleviates negative affect, which in turn increases the likelihood of binge eating. Although both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have provided strong support for the negative urgency version of the AP model, there are likely other personality traits and expectancies that may transact to increase risk for binge eating. We extended the AP model to examine how other high-risk personality traits related to reward and impulsivity might lead to binge eating via learned expectancies about eating. In a large sample of male and female college students (N = 998; 54.6% female), we tested the indirect effects of reward responsiveness, fun seeking, and sensation seeking on binge eating via expectancies related to positive and negative reinforcement from eating. Our results suggested an indirect effect of reward responsiveness on binge eating via the expectancy that eating is rewarding and an indirect effect of fun seeking on binge eating via the expectancies that eating is rewarding and eating alleviates boredom. In contrast, sensation seeking had neither direct nor indirect effects on binge eating. Findings suggest that there are multiple pathways from personality to binge eating that depend on differential learning experiences and should be considered in terms of prevention and treatment efforts.
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Impulse buying among consumers has been steadily growing over the years as disposable income has increased and purchasing has become effortless. Prior to the advent of e-commerce and social media it was believed that products which were relatively cheap and easy to carry had more chance of being bought on impulse. This perception has gradually been changed with new marketing innovations. Consumers can now effortlessly buy almost anything and everything while sitting at home. The perceived risk of buying a product or service has been reduced with the availability of information and the variety of products. This review paper offers an overview on the scholarly attempts made by various researchers, on the concept of impulse buying, in the fields of marketing and psychology. A wide range of journal databases, books and essays were referred to for the purpose. Our compilation and analysis of literature shows theoretical trends in impulse buying, and the significance of studying it in the context of service marketing. Finally, a possible framework for impulse buying in services is suggested after integrating the empirical findings of research conducted all over the globe.
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It remains unclear whether body dissatisfaction, a widely recognized predictor of eating-related pathologies and depressive symptomatology, is consistent across cohorts and time. This question is important to investigate because dominant theories propose that sociocultural influences, which may fluctuate, play an important role in the development of body dissatisfaction. Previous efforts for tracking body dissatisfaction across cohorts and time are limited by relying on data from a single institution or using assessments that lack psychometric support across genders. In this study, we utilized cross-temporal meta-analyses to examine changes in 2 dimensions of body dissatisfaction: thinness-oriented dissatisfaction as assessed with the Eating Disorder Inventory-Body Dissatisfaction subscale (data available across 31 years from 326 unique samples, n = 100,228 participants) and muscularity-oriented dissatisfaction as measured with the Drive for Muscularity Scale (data available across 14 years from 117 unique samples, n = 23,575 participants). Results revealed a significant interaction between year of study and gender in predicting thinness-oriented dissatisfaction: girls and women scored higher than boys and men consistently (ds = 0.51–1.17), although only girls’ and women’s scores decreased gradually across time (d = 0.49). Boys and men scored higher than girls and women on muscularity-oriented dissatisfaction (d = 1.72), with no significant changes across time. These patterns remained when controlling for age and geographic location. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of considering multiple dimensions of body dissatisfaction in research and offer evidence that sociocultural shifts in body acceptance and diversity may be countering thinness-related pressures for girls and women.
Thesis
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Psicológicos TESIS DOCTORAL 2015 FACTORES PSICOSOCIALES RELEVANTES EN PACIENTES EN TRATAMIENTO POR CONDUCTAS ADICTIVAS JUAN CHICHARRO ROMERO Licenciado en psicología Directoras: DRA. ANA MARÍA PÉREZ GARCÍA DRA. PILAR SANJUÁN SUÁREZ
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Background and aims Impulsivity has consistently been associated with over-consumption and addiction. Recent research has reconceptualized impulsivity as a two-dimensional construct (Dawe, Gullo, & Loxton, 2004). This study explores the relationship of the two components of impulsivity, reward drive (RD) and rash impulsivity (RI), on a broad group of 23 hedonic consumption behaviors (e.g., gambling, substance use, eating, and media use). We tentatively grouped the behaviors into three descriptive classes: entertainment, foodstuffs, and illicit activities and substances. Results RD and RI positively predicted elevated levels of consumption in a community sample (N=5,391; 51% female), for the vast majority of the behaviors considered. However, the effect sizes for RD and RI varied significantly depending on the behavior; a pattern that appeared to be at least partially attributable to the class of consumption. Results support the view that RD is related more strongly to the consumption of products that provide social engagement or a sense of increased status; whereas RI better reflects an approach toward illicit or restricted products that are intensely rewarding with clear negative consequences. Discussion and conclusion Results support the utility of the two-factor model of impulsivity in explaining individual differences in patterns of hedonic consumption in the general population. We discuss findings in terms of strengthening current conceptualizations of RI and RD as having distinct implications with respect to health-related behaviors.
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The present study investigates the effectiveness of different strategies to improve Willingness to Taste disliked vegetables and the moderating role of Reward Sensitivity. Preschool children (N = 204; age: M = 4.48, SD = 1.01) were randomly allocated to one of four different Willingness to Taste strategies. The findings indicate that first, Willingness to Taste is higher in the modelling and reward strategies compared to neutral instructions. Second, there is a differential effect of Willingness to Taste strategies dependent upon individual differences: children high in Reward Sensitivity were more likely to taste immediately when rewarded, while children low in Reward Sensitivity were more willing to taste when verbally encouraged, but with hesitation. This article thus highlights the roles of both individual differences and behavioral techniques for promoting a healthy diet in children.
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Thesis
In der vorliegenden Dissertation wurde Belohnungssensitivität mit Spielverhalten und elektrophysiologischen Korrelaten wie dem Ruhe-EEG und ereigniskorrelierten Potenzialen auf Feedback-Reize in Verbindung gebracht. Belohnungssensitivität ist nach der zugrundeliegenden Definition als Konstrukt mit mehreren Facetten zu verstehen, die eng mit Extraversion, positiver Affektivität, dem Behavioral Activation System, Novelty Seeking, Belohnungsabhängigkeit und Selbstwirksamkeit assoziiert sind. Bei der Untersuchung einer spezifischen Spielsituation, in der 48 gesunde Studentinnen durch eigene Entscheidungen Belohnungen erhalten konnten, zeigte sich, dass das Spielverhalten mit den während des Spiels erfassten ereigniskorrelierten Potentialen (hier: FRN (feedback related negativity)und P300) auf die Belohnungssignale in Form eines Feedbacks korreliert. Belohnungssensitive Personen zeigen tendenziell nach einem Gewinn-Feedback eine weniger negative FRN-Amplitude, die wiederum positiv mit der gewählten Einsatzhöhe assoziiert ist. Auch die Amplitude der P300 scheint mit dem Spielverhalten zusammenzuhängen. So zeigte sich ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen typisch belohnungssensitivem Verhalten und der mittleren Amplitude der P300: Gewinne gehen mit einer größeren P300-Positivierung und schnelleren Entscheidungen im Spiel einher. Dagegen konnte weder das Spielverhalten noch die über diverse Fragebögen erfasste Ausprägung der Belohnungssensitivität in der kortikalen Grundaktivierung im Ruhezustand einer Person abgebildet werden. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Belohnungssensitivität ein Persönlichkeitsmerkmal ist, das sich sowohl im Verhalten, als auch in der elektrokortikalen Aktivität in belohnungsrelevanten Situationen widerspiegelt.
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Chapter
This chapter discusses a nomothetic functional analysis of response topographies (or forms of behavior) that defines the eating disorders. The chapter presents a survey of behavioral assessment methods that can aid in the functional assessment of the client. Behavioral assessments and therapies influenced by radical behavioral (operant) theory regards the principal unit of analysis to be the whole person and functional aspects of his or her behavior in particular environmental contexts. Core assumption of behavioral theories is that behavior varies according to antecedent stimuli that precede behavior, establishing operations (reinforce deprivation or satiation), and the consequences that follow. Many of the assessment interviews and questionnaires for eating disorders focus on the topography of eating disorder behavior, including symptoms or features of clinical syndromes. Several behavioral assessment methods have been developed to assess the functional context of eating-disorder-related behavior including interview and self-report measures.
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The theoretical framework developed by J. A. Gray (1981, 1987a, 1987b) was used to study disinhibitory behavior. Using a point-scoring reaction time procedure, 4 different experiments were conducted to differentiate 2 disinhibitory mechanisms associated with the behavioral activation system (BAS) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). Consistent with the work of C. M. Patterson and J. P. Newman (1993), the BAS-mediated mechanism was related to a lack of inhibition in reward-directed behavior after introducing an occasional aversive contingency and to deficits in learning from aversive cues when responding for reward (Experiments 1–3). The BIS-mediated mechanism was related to a higher ability to extinguish aversive associations (Experiment 1), a lower aversive generalization gradient (Experiment 3), and a lower interference with appetitive behavior in the presence of aversive stimuli (Experiment 4).
Article
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J. A. Gray (1981, 1982) holds that 2 general motivational systems underlie behavior and affect: a behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and a behavioral activation system (BAS). Self-report scales to assess dispositional BIS and BAS sensitivities were created. Scale development (Study 1) and convergent and discriminant validity in the form of correlations with alternative measures are reported (Study 2). In Study 3, a situation in which Ss anticipated a punishment was created. Controlling for initial nervousness, Ss high in BIS sensitivity (assessed earlier) were more nervous than those low in BIS sensitivity. In Study 4, a situation in which Ss anticipated a reward was created. Controlling for initial happiness, Ss high in BAS sensitivity (Reward Responsiveness and Drive scales) were happier than those low in BAS sensitivity. In each case the new scales predicted better than an alternative measure. Discussion is focused on conceptual implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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Aims. To investigate the role of sensitivity to reward in mediating social drinkers' reactivity to alcohol cues. Design. A standard cue-reactivity paradigm was employed. Two groups of social drinkers (heavy and ight) were assessed after exposure to the sight, smell and taste of a neutral cue (water) and then an alcohol cue (glass of beer). Setting. Sessions were conducted in a laboratory based environment. Participants. Twenty heavy (12 males, eight females) and 18 light social drinkers (seven males, 11 females) were recruited; mean age was 23.6 years. Measurements. The Card Arranging Reward Responsivity Objective Test (CARROT), assessing behavioural responsiveness to a monetary incentive; urge to drink; positive affect; and the BAS scales, assessing sensitivity to reward. Findings. Heavy drinkers displayed a significant increase in responsivity to rewards (i.e. CARROT) and self-reported urge to drink, bur not positive affect, after exposure to alcohol. For the heavy drinkers, heightened sensitivity to reward (i.e. BAS scales) was significantly related to cue-elicited urge to drink and positive affect. Conclusion. The results are consistent with a conditioned appetitive motivational model of alcohol use and suggest that Gray's theory of personality may be of some benefit in explaining variation in reactivity responses. <br /
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A sample of men in prison was interviewed and rated for the presence of six behaviours commonly thought to be impulsive: alcohol abuse (CAGE positive), sedative dependence, other drug abuse, pathological gambling, repeated aggression and self-harm. They were also asked to complete the EPQ and 15 questionnaires. Out of 61 men on a 'special protection, wing, 51 agreed to take part. We found that the score on the Impulsiveness scale of the 15 correlated with the number of disorders present in individuals, even when corrected for age. Pathological gambling and self-harm did not correlate with the presence of any of the other behaviours.
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Criterion and concurrent validity of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) were assessed in 82 women with bulimia nervosa. Both tests demonstrated criterion validity by discriminating bulimia nervosa subjects from normal subjects. However, only weak support was found for the concurrent validity within bulimia subjects. Generally there was little association between the EAT or the EDI and behavioral measures, including vomiting frequency, duration of disorder, eating during test meals, thoughts while eating, and body-size distortion. Self-report questionnaires in conjunction with direct behavioral-measures of eating and vomiting would provide the most complete assessment for bulimia nervosa.
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All dominant models of the eating disorders implicate personality variables in the emergence of weight concerns and the development of specific symptoms such as bingeing and purging. Standardized measures of personality traits and disorders generally confirm clinical descriptions of restricting anorexics as constricted, conforming, and obsessional individuals. A less consistent picture suggesting affective instability and impulsivity has emerged from the assessment of subjects with bulimia nervosa. Considerable heterogeneity exists within eating disorder subtypes, however, and a number of special problems complicate the interpretation of personality data in this population. These include young age at onset, the influence of state variables such as depression and starvation sequelae, denial and distortion in self-report, the instability of subtype diagnoses, and the persistence of residual problems following symptom control.
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This study examines the prevalence of self-damaging and addictive behaviour in a consecutive series of 112 normal-weight bulimic women all stemming from the same urban catchment area. A quarter reported consuming over 36 units of alcohol a week, and nine drank over 50 units. Twenty-eight per cent abused drugs, 21% repeatedly stole, 18% repeatedly overdosed, and 8% regularly cut themselves. In all, 40% reported self-damaging and addictive behaviour, 80% of whom gave a history of three or more behaviours together. Alcohol abuse was significantly associated with drug abuse and repeated overdosing; repeated cutting was significantly associated with drug abuse. Repeated stealing and overdosing were markers of severity and did not occur in isolation. A core group, termed and defined by the author as 'multi-impulsive bulimics', were older, less likely to be employed, married, or in a stable union, but were more likely to have an alcohol-abusing partner or to come from a family with a history of alcohol abuse. They were also more likely to give a history of sexual abuse.
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To test the hypothesis that treatment with bromocriptine would ameliorate deficits in clinical motivation, responsiveness to reward, and frontal cognitive function after brain injury. An open trial in six men and five women who had had either traumatic brain injury or subarachnoid haemorrhage between two months and five years previously. After repeated baseline assessments, bromocriptine was given in gradually increasing doses. Assessments were repeated at increasing doses, during maintenance, and after withdrawal. Novel structured instruments for quantifying motivation were developed; measures of anxiety and depression, and cognitive tests sensitive to motivation or frontal lobe involvement were also given. Bromocriptine treatment was followed by improved scores on all measures other than mood. Improvement was maintained after bromocriptine withdrawal in eight of the patients. Poor motivation in patients with brain injury may result from dysfunction in the mesolimbic/mesocortical dopaminergic circuitry, giving rise to associated deficiencies in reward responsiveness and frontal cognitive function.
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The theoretical framework developed by J. A. Gray (1981, 1987a, 1987b) was used to study disinhibitory behavior. Using a point-scoring reaction time procedure, 4 different experiments were conducted to differentiate 2 disinhibitory mechanisms associated with the behavioral activation system (BAS) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). Consistent with the work of C. M. Patterson and J. P. Newman (1993), the BAS-mediated mechanism was related to a lack of inhibition in reward-directed behavior after introducing an occasional aversive contingency and to deficits in learning from aversive cues when responding for reward (Experiments 1-3). The BIS-mediated mechanism was related to a higher ability to extinguish aversive associations (Experiment 1), a lower aversive generalization gradient (Experiment 3), and a lower interference with appetitive behavior in the presence of aversive stimuli (Experiment 4).
Article
Full-text available
To investigate the role of sensitivity to reward in mediating social drinkers' reactivity to alcohol cues. A standard cue-reactivity paradigm was employed. Two groups of social drinkers (heavy and light) were assessed after exposure to the sight, smell and taste of a neutral cue (water) and then an alcohol cue (glass of beer). Sessions were conducted in a laboratory based environment. Twenty heavy (12 males, eight females) and 18 light social drinkers (seven males, 11 females) were recruited; mean age was 23.6 years. The Card Arranging Reward Responsivity Objective Test (CARROT), assessing behavioural responsiveness to a monetary incentive; urge to drink; positive affect; and the BAS scales, assessing sensitivity to reward. Heavy drinkers displayed a significant increase in responsivity to rewards (i.e. CARROT) and self-reported urge to drink, but not positive affect, after exposure to alcohol. For the heavy drinkers, heightened sensitivity to reward (i.e. BAS scales) was significantly related to cue-elicited urge to drink and positive affect. The results are consistent with a conditioned appetitive motivational model of alcohol use and suggest that Gray's theory of personality may be of some benefit in explaining variation in reactivity responses.
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The comorbidity of eating disorders and substance use and abuse has frequently been reported in the past 15 years. To date, however, no synthesis of this literature exists. Here, 51 studies reporting on these associations are reviewed. Studies of substance use and abuse in eating disordered women are considered, as are studies of eating disorders among women classified as substance abusers. The rates of substance abuse among eating disordered women are also examined. This review indicates that associations are stronger with bulimia, and “bulimic” behaviors, than with anorexia nervosa. Analogously, bulimic anorectics report more substance use and abuse than restricters. The prevalence of drug abuse was not found to differ between the relatives of bulimics and anorectics. Several mechanisms explaining the eating disorder–substance use/abuse link are considered, and suggestions for future research made. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Article
Gray (1981, 1982) holds that 2 general motivational systems underlie behavior and affect: a behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and a behavioral activation system (BAS). Self-report scales to assess dispositional BIS and BAS sensitivities were created. Scale development (Study 1) and convergent and discriminant validity in the form of correlations with alternative measures are reported (Study 2). In Study 3, a situation in which Ss anticipated a punishment was created. Controlling for initial nervousness, Ss high in BIS sensitivity (assessed earlier) were more nervous than those low. In Study 4, a situation in which Ss anticipated a reward was created. Controlling for initial happiness, Ss high in BAS sensitivity (Reward Responsiveness and Drive scales) were happier than those low. In each case the new scales predicted better than an alternative measure. Discussion is focused on conceptual implications.
Article
This book provides an updated theory of the nature of anxiety and the brain systems controlling anxiety, combined with a theory of hippocampal function, which was first proposed thirty years ago. While remaining controversial, the core of this theory, of a 'Behavioural Inhibition System', has stood the test of time, with its main predictions repeatedly confirmed. Novel anti-anxiety drugs share none of the side effects or primary pharmacological actions of the classical anti-anxiety drugs on the actions of which the theory was based; but they have both the behavioural and hippocampal actions predicted by the theory. This text is the second edition of the book and it departs significantly from the first. It provides, for the first time, a single construct - goal conflict - that underlies all the known inputs to the system; and it includes current data on the amygdala. Its reviews include the ethology of defence, learning theory, the psychopharmacology of anti-anxiety drugs, anxiety disorders, and the clinical and laboratory analysis of amnesia. The cognitive and behavioural functions in anxiety of the septo-hippocampal system and the amygdala are also analysed, as are their separate roles in memory and fear. Their functions are related to a hierarchy of additional structures - from the prefrontal cortex to the periaqueductal gray - that control the various forms of defensive behaviour and to detailed analysis of the monoamine systems that modulate this control. The resultant neurology is linked to the typology, symptoms, pre-disposing personality and therapy of anxiety and phobic disorders, and to the symptoms of amnesia. © Jeffrey A. Gray and Neil McNaughton 2000 , 2003. All rights reserved.
Article
This chapter discusses individual differences in personality in terms of reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST). The authors discuss how this theory has fared, especially in the light of data recently gathered in their own laboratories. A major contention of this chapter is that the work that has been carried out to date, plus the authors' own recent work described in this chapter, has served largely to confirm the complexities that lurk beneath the deceptive simplicity of RST. The diversity of findings that have emerged from experimental tests of RST are described. The authors are pessimistic regarding the degree to which the theory is supported by the available data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Article
The alcohol consumption of a systematically sampled population of women from an Australian inner-urban community was measured using the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) in three different ways to produce varying estimations of hazardous and harmful drinking. The study was located in an area in which there is a high density of licensed premises and its female population contains large numbers of women who are young, students and professionals and thus considered to be potentially risky drinkers. Five hundred and twenty-five women returned completed questionnaires giving a response rate of 74%. Using an AUDIT score of eight as the cut-off point, 21% of women were classified as being at risk of having problems associated with their alcohol consumption. These women were more likely than women who scored less than eight to be beer drinkers, to drink at licensed premises and drink with male and female friends. An association between higher AUDIT scores and being unmarried was found. This paper argues that investigating the social and contextual factors associated with women's potentially problematic drinking can promote more effective community-based interventions. [Banwell C, O'Brien M, Hamilton H, Attewell R. Measuring women's alcohol consumption in an Australian inner-urban community using the AUDIT. Drug Alcohol Rev 1999:18:379–388]
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The Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales of Carver and White (1994)were used in an Australian community sample of 2725 individuals aged 18–79. Factor analysis of the BIS/BAS items supported the 4-factor structure found by Carver and White, as well as a 2-factor structure reflecting separate behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation systems. The BIS scale was related to neuroticism and negative affectivity, while the BAS scale was related to extraversion and positive affectivity. The BIS scale was less correlated with anxiety and depression symptoms than are neuroticism and negative affectivity scales, probably because it is designed to measure predisposition to anxiety rather than the experience of anxiety. BIS scores were higher in females, while the BAS subscales showed a more complex pattern, with reward responsiveness scores higher in females and drive scores higher in males. Both BIS and BAS scores were lower in older age groups, suggesting the possibility that the behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation systems become less responsive with age.
Article
Characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of bulimia only (N = 46), bulimia with a history of affective disorder (N = 34), and bulimia with a history of substance abuse (N = 34) were compared. Results showed that compared to patients with bulimia only or with bulimia and affective disorders, patients with bulimia and substance abuse experienced a higher rate of diuretic use to control weight, financial and work problems, stealing before and after the onset of the eating disorder, previous psychiatric inpatient treatment, and greater amount of alcohol use after the onset of the eating disorder. Both the substance abuse group and affective disorder group showed a higher incidence of attempted suicide, more social problems, and greater overall treatment rate than the bulimia only group. There were no significant differences among groups in their family histories.
Article
Previous attempts to operationalise Gray's BIS-BAS theory at the personality level have not been very successful. Recently Carver and White (1994) presented new scales focussing specifically on dispositional BIS and BAS sensitivities. The current study (N = 336) examined the internal validity of the newly created scales as well as their relationships with well established concepts and scales like Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Positive and Negative Emotionality. An exact replication of the principal components analysis of Carver and White (1994) is presented for comparison. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a correlated four factor model provided the relatively best, but modest fit to the data. Correlations with Neuroticism, Extraversion, Positive and Negative Affectivity were generally in the predicted direction. However, Neuroticism and Extraversion were not predicted by Gray's combinations of BIS and BAS activity, questioning the theory or its operationalisation in the new scales. A second order factor analysis supported the hypothesis that the Extraversion, Fun, Drive, and Positive Affect scales all measure a common positive personality factor, while the Neuroticism, BIS, and Negative Affect scales measure a common higher order negative factor. Reward Responsiveness, however, loaded on both factors.
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The most common major comorbid disorders associated with eating disorders include substance use disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and obesity. To test conceptual models of the relationship between the eating disorders and these comorbid disorders, complex research paradigms are needed, including epidemiological studies, behavior-genetic studies, and longitudinal research designs. Comorbidity may be a significant factor to consider as approaches to the treatment of eating disorders continue to evolve.
Article
On both psychological and physiological grounds it is suggested that the hypothesis in Eysenck's theory of introversion-extraversion attributing greater conditionability to the introvert should be replaced by the hypothesis that the introvert is relatively more sensitive to punishment and to frustrative nonreward. The data on which this conclusion is based stem chiefly from the study of eyeblink conditioning in Man as a function of personality, and from the study of the physiological locus of action of the extraverting drug, sodium amobarbital, in animals. It is suggested that the physiological basis of introversion includes, besides the Ascending Reticular Activating System, an inhibitory system comprising the orbital frontal cortex, the medial septal area and the hippocampus. This system is able to carry out the essential psychological functions believed by Eysenck to underlie introversion-extraversion. A new conception of neuroticism as reflecting degree of sensitivity to both reward and punishment is also proposed.
Article
The comorbidity of eating disorders and substance use and abuse has frequently been reported in the past 15 years. To date, however, no synthesis of this literature exists. Here, 51 studies reporting on these associations are reviewed. Studies of substance use and abuse in eating disordered women are considered, as are studies of eating disorders among women classified as substance abusers. The rates of substance abuse among eating disordered women are also examined. This review indicates that associations are stronger with bulimia, and "bulimic" behaviors, than with anorexia nervosa. Analogously, bulimic anorectics report more substance use and abuse than restricters. The prevalence of drug abuse was not found to differ between the relatives of bulimics and anorectics. Several mechanisms explaining the eating disorder-substance use/abuse link are considered, and suggestions for future research made.
Article
To characterize females with bulimia nervosa and alcoholism, this study compared the social and family backgrounds, as well as the clinical symptoms of alcoholics with bulimia and patients with bulimia only. The subjects were 22 Japanese female patients with both bulimia nervosa and alcoholism; the comparison group comprised 22 age-matched female patients with bulimia nervosa but without alcoholism. Patients with both bulimia and alcoholism had more borderline personality disorders and pathological symptoms such as stealing, suicide attempts, and liver injuries than the nonalcoholic comparison group. The subjects' average body weight was significantly less than that of the comparison group. Whereas the clinical characteristics of females with bulimia and alcoholism differ in many respects from those with bulimia only, it is suggested that alcoholic bulimia patients form a distinct clinical subgroup among patients with bulimia nervosa.
Article
We compared the characteristics of hospitalized women with bulimia nervosa alone (N = 19) and with bulimia nervosa plus alcohol abuse (N = 13) using standard measures of depression, eating disorders, general psychiatric symptomatology, and temperament. Bulimic women with alcohol abuse had significantly higher lowest past weight, but did not differ from women with bulimia alone on age, age of onset of bulimia, current weight, and highest past weight. There were no differences in clinical symptoms of bulimia, depression, or general psychiatric symptomatology. On Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), bulimic women with alcohol abuse scored significantly higher on Total Novelty Seeking, on the Novelty Seeking Subscale Disorderliness, and on the Reward Dependence Subscale Attachment. Implications for understanding the relation between bulimia and substance abuse are discussed.
Article
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) has been developed from a six-country WHO collaborative project as a screening instrument for hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption. It is a 10-item questionnaire which covers the domains of alcohol consumption, drinking behaviour, and alcohol-related problems. Questions were selected from a 150-item assessment schedule (which was administered to 1888 persons attending representative primary health care facilities) on the basis of their representativeness for these conceptual domains and their perceived usefulness for intervention. Responses to each question are scored from 0 to 4, giving a maximum possible score of 40. Among those diagnosed as having hazardous or harmful alcohol use, 92% had an AUDIT score of 8 or more, and 94% of those with non-hazardous consumption had a score of less than 8. AUDIT provides a simple method of early detection of hazardous and harmful alcohol use in primary health care settings and is the first instrument of its type to be derived on the basis of a cross-national study.
Article
The comorbidity of DSM-III-R axis I and axis II disorders presents conceptual and nosological challenges to psychiatry. In a consecutive series of 164 psychiatric outpatients and 36 healthy controls in Milan, Italy, psychopathology was measured by structured interviews for DSM-III-R disorders and temperament was measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Low reward dependence (RD) distinguished cluster A personality disorders and no axis I disorders. High novelty seeking (NS) characterized cluster B personality disorders and patients with eating disorders, alcohol abuse, or substance abuse. High harm avoidance (HA) characterized all cluster C personality disorders and patients with mood or anxiety disorders. The temperament dimensions were nearly independent of one another, but patients often had multiple DSM-III-R diagnoses. The joint relations of these disorders to multiple temperament dimensions accounted for their characteristic patterns of comorbidity. These findings support the hypothesis that interactions among temperament dimensions during development influence comorbidity between axis I and axis II disorders.
Article
The authors examined the temporal stability and predictive utility of bulimic symptoms and related variables over the course of 10 years, from 1982 to 1992. The subjects were 459 women who were aged 18-22 years in 1982 and were surveyed in both 1982 and 1992. Each respondent completed five subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory (bulimia, drive for thinness, maturity fears, perfectionism, and interpersonal distrust) and answered questions based on the DSM-III criteria for bulimia nervosa. The temporal stability of bulimic symptoms and related variables was relatively high. Bulimic status in 1982 conferred an approximately 15-fold increase in risk 10 years later. Drive for thinness and, to lesser degrees, maturity fears and perfectionism received support as long-term predictors of bulimic symptoms. Bulimic symptoms display high temporal stability and thus may affect long-term functioning and well-being. Later symptoms are related to scores on specific subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory administered 10 years earlier. Assessment and therapy should be conducted accordingly.
Article
To investigate the effects of (a) nicotine abstinence and (b) cigarette smoking after abstinence, on reward responsiveness and cognitive functions which are putatively dependent on activity in the dopaminergic system implicated in smoking. During Ramadhan, Muslim smokers elected to abstain from smoking either for the whole month (RAMQUIT) or during daylight hours (DAYQUIT). These groups, and non-smokers (NOSMOKE), were assessed on two occasions 6 hours apart (TEST1 and TEST2). DAYQUIT participants had abstained for 6 hours at TEST1 and smoked a single cigarette immediately prior to TEST2. RAMQUIT participants had abstained for at least 10 days prior to TEST1 and remained abstinent at TEST2. NOSMOKE and RAMQUIT participants are a small snack prior to TEST2 to control for non-specific consummatory effects. TEST1 was conducted at the mosque and TEST2 in participants' homes. All were male; mean age was 26.7 years. Modal cigarette consumption prior to Ramadhan by both the 13 DAYQUIT and the 11 RAMQUIT smokers was 21-30 per day. DAYQUIT subjects rated themselves as more dependent. The Card Arranging Reward Responsivity Objective Test (CARROT), testing behavioural responsiveness to small financial incentive; digit span, measuring attention; verbal fluency, indexing frontal lobe function; and the two-choice guessing test (2CGT; at TEST1 only), measuring response stereotypy. At TEST1, compared with non-smokers, both smoking groups showed greater stereotypy (2CG) and lower reward responsiveness (CARROT). DAYQUIT participants improved on all measures after smoking a single cigarette. No marked changes were seen in the other groups. These data suggest that (i) abstaining smokers have impaired dopaminergic function and (ii) nicotine consumption may boost their dopaminergic activity.
Article
This chapter describes the development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) among various Mexican populations, the evaluations that followed the World Health Organization international research project from where this screening instrument was derived, its use in nonclinical settings, modifications introduced in its wording, the development of a short version, and validity and reliability tests. It also describes rates of hazardous, harmful, and dependent drinkers and biobehavioral consequences of abuse among various Mexican populations. Data drawn from different samples showed adequate levels of specificity and sensitivity. Findings from general population samples confirmed previous observations in general practice: That the AUDIT could capture not only regular consumption at hazardous levels, but also episodic heavy drinking. Data from an International Labor Office/World Health Organization project on model programs for alcohol prevention in the workplace showed that it was possible to derive a short version, easily used for intervention programs, that differentiated categories of drinkers at various risk levels. Rates of problem drinkers in clinical samples varied between 28 and 43% for males and 3.6 and 4.8% among females. Hazardous drinking varied between 0.7 and 15.5% among males and females in general populations and reached 44% in a sample of male workers; in clinical settings, harmful drinking ranged from 7 to 16% among males and dependence from 3 to 10%.
Article
The frequent comorbidity of eating disorders and substance use has been demonstrated consistently by research. Less is known about the basis of this relationship. A review of the literature indicates that the hypotheses proposed to clarify the etiological relationship between eating disorders and substance use have not been supported sufficiently or consistently by empirical evidence. General criticisms include: a lack of well developed models, a reliance on co-prevalence data, and a lack of integration of knowledge from eating disorder and substance use research. It is suggested that an understanding of the etiological relationship between eating disorders and substance use will be arrived at only after fundamental inquiries into the functional relationship between eating disorders symptomatology and substance use patterns have been conducted. A behavioral assessment approach is offered as a means of evaluating the functional relationship between eating disorder symptomatology and substance use.
Article
An unusually high comorbidity of eating disorders and alcohol abuse has been found in clinical and community samples of young women. This paper proposes that individual differences in sensitivity to reward and punishment may influence the propensity of young women to engage in dysfunctional eating and drinking behaviour. The Drive for Thinness scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the BIS/BAS scales were administered to 232 high school girls. Heightened sensitivity to reward was the better predictor of alcohol misuse while heightened sensitivity to both reward and punishment was predictive of dysfunctional eating. When categorised by group, alcohol abusing, dysfunctional eating, and comorbid girls reported greater sensitivity to reward than non-disordered girls. Girls with dysfunctional eating with and without comorbid alcohol abuse reported greater sensitivity to punishment than alcohol abusing only girls. These findings suggest that girls who abuse alcohol and have dysfunctional eating may share a vulnerability to heightened sensitivity to reward, yet be differentiated by sensitivity to punishment.
Eating Disorder Inventory—2 Professional Manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resour-ces The psychophysiological basis of introversion–extraversion
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Evaluating exposure therapy for women with a dual diagnosis of alcohol dependence and bulimia nervosa: Results from a randomised controlled trial
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Alcohol abuse and dysfunctional eating in adolescent girls
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Using the BIS/BAS scales to measure behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation
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