Multidimensionality in Impulsivity and Alcohol Use: A Meta-Analysis Using the UPPS Model of Impulsivity
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Although there is considerable support for the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol use, the use of multidimensional conceptualizations of impulsivity and alcohol use has lead to varying relationship sizes across studies. The aims of the current meta-analysis are to (i) examine variability in the magnitude of the bivariate relationship between impulsivity and alcohol use across studies and (ii) describe the pattern of effects between specific impulsivity traits and alcohol use variables, using the UPPS model of impulsivity. METHODS: Ninety-six studies were meta-analyzed using a random effects model to examine the relationship between general impulsivity and alcohol use, as well as the relationships among separate impulsivity traits based in the UPPS model of impulsivity and specific alcohol use outcomes. RESULTS: Results indicate that, in general, impulsivity and alcohol use are related (r = 0.28); however, this effect size varied significantly across studies (from -0.05 to 1.02). Drinking quantity was most strongly predicted by lack of perseverance (r = 0.32), whereas all traits equally predicted drinking frequency. Drinking problems were most highly related to negative (r = 0.35) and positive (r = 0.34) urgency, and alcohol dependence was most highly related to negative urgency (r = 0.38) and lack of planning (r = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Effect sizes between impulsivity and alcohol use vary significantly by UPPS trait used in each study; thus, findings suggest and further reinforce the view in the literature that specific impulsivity-related constructs differentially relate to specific alcohol use outcomes.
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Negative urgency has been shown to mediate the association between irritability, reactive aggression, and excessive drinking.
“Negative urgency has been shown to mediate the association between irritability, reactive aggression, and excessive drinking (Cyders And Smith 2008; Settles et al. 2012; Coskunpinar et al. 2013; Smith And Cyders 2016; VanderVeen et al. 2016).”
From Decoding the bidirectional links between alcohol misuse and aggression: toward a unified translational framework (2026) · cites this paper as Coskunpinar et al. 2013
The Results (Meta-Analytic Findings; page unavailable) report an association between negative urgency and alcohol problems or dependence. They do not show that negative urgency mediates an association involving irritability and reactive aggression; searches for those terms and mediation returned no such passage. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe relationship between AUD and impulsivity is well established, with impulsivity predicting future relapses.
“Moreover, the relationship between AUD and impulsivity are well established (e.g., Coskunpinar et al., 2013), with impulsivity predicting future relapses (Sliedrecht et al., 2020).”
From Negative Urgency, Emotion Regulation, and Intimate Partner Violence Severity in High Risk Couples with Alcohol Use Disorders. (2026) · cites this paper as Coskunpinar et al., 2013
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“Moreover, the relationship between AUD and impulsivity are well established (e.g., Coskunpinar et al., 2013), with impulsivity predicting future relapses (Sliedrecht et al., 2020).”
- Authors
- Coskunpinar, A., Dir, A. L., & Cyders, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Cyders, Melissa A.
- Venue
- Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2013-04-11
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1441-1450
- ISSN
- 0145-6008 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3732812
- OpenAlex
- W2145146057
- Cited by
- 541
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 36 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 2.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- IUScholarWorks (Indiana University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (K01AA020102)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- impulsivity, alcohol consumption, lack of perseverance, negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of planning, drinking quantity, drinking frequency, drinking problems, alcoholism, effect size heterogeneity
- MeSH terms
- Alcohol Drinking, Alcoholism, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Surveys and Questionnaires
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