Disinhibition as a unifying construct in understanding how personality dispositions undergird psychopathology

Abstract

Disinhibition has been a construct of interest for decades, as evidenced by its inclusion in most prominent models of general personality functioning and its link to personality pathology, other psychopathology, health behaviors, and public health concerns. Disinhibition is manifest in behavioral, task based, and physiological measures, and common etiologies are a major reason for the coherence of the domain across a variety of assessment modalities. The current review will provide a summary of the conceptualization of the construct across prominent models, its link to psychopathology and maladaptive behaviors, and its etiology. Finally, we provide discussion on its clinical application utilizing disinhibition to aid in understanding comorbid psychopathology and through a description of its potential use in treatment. Keywords disinhibition; general personality; dimensional model Conceptualization of Disinhibition The construct disinhibition (versus constraint) is a broad personality trait that refers to individual differences in the ability to self-regulate or control one's behavior, and ranges from undercontrolled to overcontrolled (Clark & Watson, 2008). Individuals high in disinhibition often act spontaneously without considering potential long-term consequences

Anterior Cingulate Metabolite Levels, Memory, and Inhibitory Control in Abstinent Men and Women with Alcohol Use Disorder

“…This finding supports the idea that differences seen in long-term abstinent AUD individuals are more likely to stem from persistent structural brain abnormalities (Monnig et al, 2013) or from pre-existing personality factors (Mullins-Sweatt et al, 2019 than they are to stem from the acute disruption of brain chemistry associated with active alcohol consumption or withdrawal. For example, both impulsivity (Stephan et al, 2017) and poor memory may be risks for heavy drinking (Verdejo-Garcia and Bechara, 2009).…”

“…Cognitive abilities such as general intelligence and over-learned knowledge are preserved with AUD (Stavro et al, 2013), while impairments in other functions continue despite abstinence (Jia et al, 2021, Oscar-Berman et al, 2014. Among the most common and persistent cognitive domains of impairment are memory and inhibitory control (Mullins-Sweatt et al, 2019, Stephan et al, 2017. Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have sought to offer biological explanations linking heavy alcohol consumption and AUD with brain abnormalities as measured with magnetic resonance neuroimaging (MRI) scans (Oscar-Berman and Marinkovic, 2007, Sullivan and Pfefferbaum, 2005, Zahr et al, 2016.…”

A developmental perspective on personality and psychopathology across the life span

“…These impairments are exacerbated by an overstimulating or insensitive caregiving environment, and may also elicit less optimal responses from parents (e.g., Hans et al., 1999; Lander et al., 2013), leading to maladaptation in even basic early functions, like feeding, sleeping, and interacting. In the toddler and preschool years, deviations in these systems are manifested in a lack of inhibitory control, impulsivity, irritability, and aggression—a tendency toward disinhibition that is observable by parents and other caregivers and measurable using standardized laboratory paradigms (e.g., Mullins‐Sweatt et al., 2019). The first problem behaviors and symptoms of externalizing psychopathology also become evident in the toddler and preschool years, including hyperactivity, inattention, aggression, and rule‐breaking behavior, and, by school age, these may have become severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder (e.g., Nielsen et al., 2019).…”

Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): II. Externalizing superspectrum

“…The disinhibited externalizing spectrum includes tendencies to act on impulse, without consideration for potential consequences. Empirically, disinhibition tends to be accompanied by societally prohibited behaviors that align psychologically with the core of the construct, for example, the use of psychoactive substances to excess 20 and with minimal regard for future consequences. The antagonistic externalizing spectrum includes tendencies to navi gate interpersonal situations using antipathy and conflict, and to hurt other people intentionally 21 , with little regard for their rights and feelings.…”