Momentary fluctuations in impulsivity domains: Associations with a history of childhood ADHD, heavy alcohol use, and alcohol problems.

Background: The current study examined if fluctuation in in-the-moment impulsivity was more pronounced for adults with, versus without, a childhood history of ADHD and if ADHD group moderated the association between fluctuation in impulsivity and alcohol use behaviors.

Methods: Two hundred and eleven adult drinkers (52% ADHD) completed a 10-day, 6 times/day, momentary assessment of state impulsivity. Self-reported trait impulsivity, alcohol problems, and frequency of 5+ drinks in the past 12 months were also assessed.

Detecting random responders with infrequency scales using an error-balancing threshold.

Infrequency scales are becoming a popular mode of data screening, due to their availability and ease of implementation. Recent research has indicated that the interpretation and functioning of infrequency items may not be as straightforward as had previously been thought (Curran & Hauser, 2015), yet there are no empirically based guidelines for implementing cutoffs using these items. In the present study, we compared two methods of detecting random responding with infrequency items: a zero-tolerance threshold versus a threshold that balances classification error rates.

Premeditation moderates the relation between sensation seeking and risky substance use among young adults.

Young adulthood is a peak period for externalizing behaviors such as substance abuse and antisocial conduct. Evidence from developmental neuroscience suggests that externalizing conduct within this time period may be associated with a "developmental asymmetry" characterized by an early peak in sensation seeking combined with a relatively immature impulse control system. Trait measures of impulsivity-sensation seeking and premeditation-are psychological manifestations of these respective systems, and multiple prior studies suggest that high sensation seeking and low premeditation independently confer risk for distinct forms of externalizing behaviors.