Evaluation of pharmacological treatment of impulsivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

We used an assessment that involved competing reinforcer dimensions in a concurrent-schedules arrangement to examine the effects of stimulant medication on impulsivity (i.e., sensitivity of choices to reinforcer immediacy relative to rate, quality, and effort) with 4 students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The assessments were administered in the context of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced reversal design. Reinforcer immediacy was the most influential dimension for 3 of the students and the second most influential dimension for 1 of the students across placebo and medication conditions; medication did not affect these sensitivities.     

Behavioral assessment of impulsivity: a comparison of children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

We conducted a brief computer-based assessment involving choices of concurrently presented arithmetic problems associated with competing reinforcer dimensions to assess impulsivity (choices controlled primarily by reinforcer immediacy) as well as the relative influence of other dimensions (reinforcer rate, quality, and response effort), with 58 children. Results were compared for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were and were not receiving medication, and with typically developing children without ADHD. Within-subject and between-groups analyses of the ordinal influence of each of the reinforcer dimensions were conducted using both time- and response-allocation measures. In general, the choices of children with ADHD were most influenced by reinforcer immediacy and quality and least by rate and effort, suggesting impulsivity. The choices of children in the non-ADHD group were most influenced by reinforcer quality, and the influence of immediacy relative to the other dimensions was not statistically significant. Results are discussed with respect to the implications for assessment and treatment of ADHD.     

Process Analyses of Impulsive Behavior in Binge-Eating Disorder During the Randomized Controlled IMPULS Trial

Impulsivity represents a risk factor for patients with binge-eating disorder, and we therefore investigated the treatment process of impulsive behaviors including binge-eating episodes in the randomized controlled IMPULS trial. Using 8 weekly online questionnaires throughout the assessment period, we compared 41 patients participating in the IMPULS program, which emphasized impulsive eating behavior (IG), with 39 control patients who received no intervention (CG). We assessed the frequency of binge eating, other impulsive behaviors, situations in which such behaviors could be inhibited, and the execution of alternative behaviors. Results indicate a stronger binge-eating reduction in the IG compared to the CG at the fifth, seventh, and eighth treatment weeks. Overall, both groups reduced other impulsive behaviors. They did not differ in the amount of inhibited impulsive behaviors and showed similar alternative behaviors, “distraction” most frequently used. IG patients evaluated the IMPULS program as very helpful. The stronger reduction of binge eating in the IG and positive evaluation of the treatment indicate a specific treatment effect regarding impulsive eating behavior. The reduction of other impulsive behaviors across both groups, and the initial reduction of binge eating within the CG, could be explained by an increased degree of self-observation.     

Contemplating Tragedy Raises Gratifications and Fosters Self‐Acceptance

Despite the reflective nature of tragedy, little research has focused on reflection's impact on “pleasure” and personal growth. Drawing from entertainment, literary, and health research, this study assessed the degree to which contemplating tragedy increases gratifications and promotes self‐acceptance. The moderating effects of life events were also examined. In an experiment, participants (N = 120) were randomly instructed to either watch a Hollywood drama and reflect, or only watch the movie (control). Results showed significant main effects on appreciation and enjoyment. Reflection increased gratifications for participants with remote loss (≥2 years) but not recent loss, and it strengthened the link between self‐perceptual depth and a 4‐week change in self‐compassion. The benefits and drawbacks of reflecting on tragedy are discussed.     

BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING IN PERSONS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

The present investigation examined a behavior‐analytic clinical treatment package designed to reduce the pathological gambling of 3 individuals with acquired brain injury. A prior history of pathological gambling of each patient was assessed via caregiver report, psychological testing, and direct observation of gambling behavior. Using an 8‐week one‐on‐one client—patient format, a treatment program was developed in which the patient learned about the antecedents, consequences, and motivating operations that controlled the emission of gambling behavior. Data were collected on both self‐report of gambling urges and behavior following therapy and during in situ gambling opportunities. The therapy program reduced urges to gamble and actual gambling for all patients. The potential of behavior‐analytic therapy for reducing the pathological gambling of patients with and without brain injury is discussed.     

Hostile Attributional Bias,Negative Emotional Responding,and Aggression in Adults: Moderating Effects of Gender and Impulsivity

The current study examined the main effects of hostile attributional bias (HAB) and negative emotional responding on a variety of aggressive behaviors in adults, including general aggression, physical aggression, relational aggression, and verbal aggression. Effects of both externalizing (anger) and internalizing (embarrassment/upset) negative emotions were considered. In addition, the moderating roles of gender and impulsivity on the effects of HAB and negative emotional responding were explored. Multilevel models were fitted to data from 2,749 adult twins aged 20–55 from the PennTwins cohort. HAB was positively associated with all four forms of aggression. There was also a significant interaction between impulsivity and HAB for general aggression. Specifically, the relationship between HAB and general aggression was only significant for individuals with average or above‐average levels of impulsivity. Negative emotional responding was also found to predict all measures of aggression, although in different ways. Anger was positively associated with all forms of aggression, whereas embarrassment/upset predicted decreased levels of general, physical, and verbal aggression but increased levels of relational aggression. The associations between negative emotional responding and aggression were generally stronger for males than females. The current study provides evidence for the utility of HAB and negative emotional responding as predictors of adult aggression and further suggests that gender and impulsivity may moderate their links with aggression. Aggr. Behav. 38:47‐63, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

基于驱动与控制相互作用的成瘾冲动性结构与机制

物质成瘾者具有明显的冲动性特征, 表现为难以戒断的成瘾物质使用。这种行为的产生除了抑制控制的问题外, 源于多个维度的驱动力也是重要的原因。低弱的抑制力无法抵挡驱力的作用, 出现不平衡状态, 形成难以控制的渴求下的强迫性用药或习惯性用药行为倾向。驱动力来源于多方面, 奖赏效应, 通过条件作用形成的S-R式相关线索反应以及感觉寻求等人格特质; 控制成分则包括了反应抑制与无法延迟满足的执行控制功能。     

Social-Psychological Factors Associated with Bullying Behaviour among Secondary School Students

This study investigated the association between social-psychological factors (misconduct, impulsivity, school sense of belonging, intention to use non-violent strategies, beliefs supportive of violence) and bullying behaviour. A total of two-hundred and fifteen (n=215) secondary school students randomly selected from five secondary schools in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State participated in the study (boys =106, or 49.30%) and girls n=109 or 50.70%; age ranges = 16 to 22 years, mean = 19 years, SD= 3.19 years). The participants completed measures of misconduct, impulsivity, school sense of belonging, intention to use non-violent strategies, beliefs supportive of violence and bullying behaviour. Demographics data of the participants were also obtained. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that misconduct is the most important correlate of bullying behaviour. Pro-aggression behaviours explained bullying behaviour, intention to use non-violent strategies, beliefs supportive of violence, impulsivity and school sense of belonging also significantly explained lower bullying behaviour.     

Construction and validation of Self-Efficacy Scale for early school-aged children

Self-efficacy beliefs play an important role in regulating a child's functioning and emotional well-being. The aims of our study were to construct the Polish Self-Efficacy Scale for Children (SESC) in early school age and to explore its factor structure and construct validity. A total of 402 children in the age range of 8 to 10 years took part in the study. An exploratory factor analysis of the SESC revealed four factors. The internal reliability of each scale score ranged from good to very good. Results show that self-efficacy beliefs for academic achievement, self-control and regulation of negative emotion are negatively correlated with inattention, hyperactivity–impulsivity, low emotional control and trait anxiety. It is concluded that the SESC is a promising measure for research concerning child development and psychopathology.     

The unit size effect of indulgent food: How eating smaller sized items signals impulsivity and makes consumers eat less

In deciding how much to eat, people are influenced by environmental cues. The unit size of food (i.e. the number of units in which a given amount of food is divided) provides such a cue. Previous research showed that given equal caloric and volumetric content, smaller units of food tend to reduce food consumption. We propose that the unit size of food impacts intake as it influences perceptions of impulsiveness and appropriateness. Our analysis is based on three experimental studies, all employing between subject designs. When consuming similar amounts of chocolates in studies 1 (n?=?118) and 2 (n?=?124), both studies show that consumption of five small units of chocolates is considered to be more impulsive, excessive and less appropriate than consuming one large unit of chocolate. Results of a third study (n?=?165) indicate that about 23% less chocolate is eaten when it is presented in small unit size vs. a large unit size and this effect is mediated by perceptions of impulsivity. All three studies suggest that perceptions of impulsivity and excess eating while eating several smaller units of food compared to one large unit might be a key factor explaining consumption effects in earlier studies on this bias.