Impulsivity in abstinent early- and late-onset alcoholics: differences in self-report measures and a discounting task
Abstract
AIMS: To test the hypothesis that early-onset alcoholics (EOAs) can be differentiated from late-onset alcoholics (LOAs) by more severe substance-related problems and higher levels of impulsivity and aggression. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A cross-sectional patient survey with a community comparison group. The European Addiction Severity Index was used to assess substance-related problems and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Dutch version of the Zuckermann Sensation Seeking Scale and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory were used to assess impulsive and aggressive traits. Impulsive decision making was assessed using a delay discounting task (DDT) with hypothetical monetary rewards. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were EOAs (n = 42) and LOAs (n = 46) recruited from an addiction treatment centre and an unmatched, non-substance-abusing comparison group (n = 54). Findings The EOAs had higher levels of impulsive decision making than both the LOAs and the comparison group. The EOAs had higher scores than the LOAs on measures of impulsiveness, aggressiveness and the severity of substance-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that EOAs are more impulsive and aggressive than LOAs. Further identification of alcoholism subtypes based on dimensions of impulsivity should be considered in the light of their relationship with pharmacological and behavioural treatment interventions.
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Alcohol-dependent adults discount delayed rewards at higher rates than non-dependent adults.
“alcohol-dependent adults discount delayed rewards at higher rates than non-dependent adults (Bobova et al., 2009; Dom et al., 2006)”
From Excessive discounting of delayed reinforcers as a trans-disease process contributing to addiction and other disease-related vulnerabilities: Emerging evidence (2012) · cites this paper as Dom et al., 2006
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- Authors
- Dom, G., D’haene, P., Hulstijn, W., & Sabbe, B.
- Corresponding author
- Dom, G.
- Venue
- Addiction
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-12-16
- Volume
- 101
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 50-59
- ISSN
- 0965-2140 (ISSN-L)
- 1360-0443
- OpenAlex
- W2016446092
- Cited by
- 225
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 7.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Addiction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- early-onset alcoholism, late-onset alcoholism, impulsivity, aggression, delay discounting, impulsive decision-making, substance-related problems, alcoholism subtypes, sensation seeking, hostility, self-report measures
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aggression, Alcoholism, Cross-Sectional Studies, Decision Making, Female, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reward, Self-Assessment, Severity of Illness Index, Age of Onset
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