Examination of trait impulsivity on the response to a brief mindfulness intervention among college student drinkers

Abstract

Mindfulness-based strategies show promise for targeting the construct of impulsivity and associated variables among problematic alcohol users. This study examined the moderating role of intervention (mindfulness vs relaxation vs control) on trait impulsivity and three outcomes examined post-intervention (negative affect, positive affect, and urge to drink) among 207 college students with levels of at-risk drinking. Moderation analyses revealed that the relationship between baseline impulsivity and the primary outcomes significantly differed for participants who underwent the mindfulness versus relaxation interventions. Notably, simple slope analyses revealed that negative urgency was positively associated with urge to drink following the mindfulness intervention. Among participants who underwent the relaxation intervention, analysis of simple slopes revealed that negative urgency was negatively associated with urge to drink, while positive urgency was positively associated with positive affect following the relaxation intervention. Findings suggest that level (low vs high) and subscale of impulsivity matter with regard to how a participant will respond to a mindfulness versus relaxation intervention.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review

“…There was wide variability in the number of participants dropping out from MBIs with attrition rates ranging from 0 to 61% (median attrition = 23.765%). Some studies did not show attrition rates ( 31 , 32 , 35 , 41 , 42 , 49 , 54 , 57 , 60 , 61 , 63 , 66 , 67 , 69 , 72 , 75 ).…”

“…On the other hand, the main exclusion criteria were (1) psychosis or other severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder), (2) dementia, and (3) suicide risk. Nineteen trials did not provide the exclusion criteria ( 20 , 30 , 35 – 37 , 42 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 52 , 54 , 55 , 60 , 62 , 64 – 67 ).…”

“…Cognitive Behavioral Treatment ( 19 ), Health Education [HE ( 66 , 72 , 76 , 80 )], Freedom from Smoking [FFS ( 73 , 75 )], Quit Line ( 74 ), Interactive Learning for Smokers [ILS ( 50 )], Support Group [SG ( 20 , 30 , 56 , 57 )], a QuitGuide app ( 64 ), Physical Education ( 47 ), relaxation ( 34 ), medication treatment (naltrexone or others) ( 35 , 41 ), and suppression ( 65 ) were other comparators. Several trials used two control groups: FFS and Quit Line Intervention ( 55 ), CBT and TAU ( 43 , 78 ), relaxation and puzzle group ( 51 , 67 ), distraction strategy and passive control ( 54 ), and TAU and healthy controls ( 32 ). Finally, six trials ( 40 , 42 , 46 , 49 , 79 , 81 ) did not administer any treatment in the control groups (waiting list).…”

“…The timing of the outcome measures was variable and could include weekly assessment, post-treatment evaluation and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12-month follow-up evaluation. Sixteen studies did not report follow-up periods ( 20 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 38 , 41 – 44 , 46 , 48 , 57 , 66 , 67 , 77 , 81 ).…”

Internal Battles: Examining How Anger/Hostility Moderate the Association Between Negative Urgency and Suicidal Desire Variables in Military and Civilian Samples

“…These results also have clinical implications. Namely, interventions such as mindfulness (Vinci et al, ) or dialectical behavior therapy (Linehan, ) aimed at decreasing negative urgency by being able to withstand distressing situations could be useful with a patient presenting with hostility/anger, as decreasing these aggressive emotions might help lessen suicidal ideation and feelings of burdensomeness.…”