Impulsivity Symptoms as Core to the Developmental Externalizing Spectrum

Abstract

Impulsivity is posited to be a key part of the externalizing spectrum during childhood, but this idea has received minimal empirical attention. The goal of the present investigation was to utilize network analysis to determine whether behavioral impulsivity symptoms are key components of the externalizing network across several developmental periods from preschool into adolescence. Participants were 109 preschoolers (64% male) ages 3 to 6, 237 children (59% male) ages 6 to 9, 372 children (59% male) ages 10 to 13, and 357 adolescents (59% male) ages 13 to 17 and their parents. Parents completed ratings of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms on a well-validated rating scale. Network analyses indicated that ADHD and ODD were somewhat differentiated in preschool, becoming united by behavioral impulsivity symptoms during early childhood, and then differentiating into inattention versus externalizing clusters later during childhood and in adolescence. Behavioral impulsivity symptoms were core to the externalizing spectrum across most developmental periods, but core inattentive and ODD symptoms were also identified in line with progressive differentiation. These results suggest the increasing importance of impulsivity symptoms across development, explaining externalizing comorbidity and potentially serving as a viable target for childhood interventions for externalizing problems.

Serial Progression from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder to Alcohol Use Disorder: Serial Multiple Mediated Effects of Externalizing Disorders and Depression

“…From childhood ADHD to ODD, CD, antisocial behavior and AUD, impulsivity plays a pivotal role in each externalizing disorder present in each developmental stage, which is significantly influenced by genetic factors 31). Particularly, among the diverse facets of impulsivity, behavioral impulsivity symptoms drew attention as the key component of the externalizing spectrum 15). Based on the foregoing findings, the current study rated the externalizing disorders using the BIS_M as a variable.…”

“…Longitudinal research on externalizing behavior found the hyper-active/impulsive trait of ADHD predicted the externalizing behavior in teens and young adults 8). Another study mentioned the impulsivity, or behavioral impulsivity in particular, was the core symptom of the externalizing spectrum 15). After all, as the core trait of externalizing disorders, the motor impulsivity was closely associated with addictive problems, including AUD 16,17)…”

Urban Mind: Using Smartphone Technologies to Investigate the Impact of Nature on Mental Well-Being in Real Time

“…For this reason, we included an assessment of trait impulsivity, a well-established psychological measure of one's tendency to behave with little forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences (Mayhew and Powell 2014 ). Animal and human models suggest that this measure is predictive of future risk of developing mental-health issues including addictive disorders (McChargue et al 2011 , Kunst and Van Wilsem 2013 , Velázquez-Sánchez et al 2014 , Sanchez-Roige et al 2014 , Dalley and Robbins 2017 ), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (Ahmad and Hinshaw 2017 , Martel et al 2017 ), antisocial personality disorder (González et al 2016 , Martel et al 2017 ), and bipolar disorder (Tu et al 2017 ). We used the data to test three related hypotheses: (1) exposure to natural features, including trees, the sky, birdsong, and water, would be associated with higher levels of momentary mental well-being; (2) these effects would still be evident in subsequent assessments, in which people are no longer exposed to trees, the sky, birdsong, and water, indicating time-lasting benefits; (3) these effects would be more evident in people with higher trait impulsivity, who are thought to carry greater vulnerability to mental-health issues, than those with lower trait impulsivity (Dalley and Robbins 2017 ).…”

Urban Mind: Using Smartphone Technologies to Investigate the Impact of Nature on Mental Wellbeing in Real Time

“…Dalley and Robbins 2017), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (Ahmad andHinshaw 2017, Martel et al 2017), antisocial personality disorder (González et al 2016, Martel et al 2017, and bipolar disorder (Tu et al 2017), this finding supports the notion that the beneficial effects of nature may be especially evident in those individuals who possess greater vulnerability to mental-health issues. The implications of these results are twofold.…”

“…One of the aims of our project was to explore how the impact of the surrounding built environment on the mental well-being of an individual might depend on their vulnerability to developing mental-health issues. For this reason, we included an assessment of trait impulsivity, a well-established psychological measure of one's tendency to behave with little forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences (Mayhew and Powell 2014 (Ahmad andHinshaw 2017, Martel et al 2017), antisocial personality disorder (González et al 2016, Martel et al 2017, and bipolar disorder (Tu et al 2017). We used the data to test three related hypotheses: (1) exposure to natural features, including trees, the sky, birdsong, and water, would be associated with higher levels of momentary mental wellbeing; (2) these effects would still be evident in subsequent assessments, in which people are no longer exposed to trees, the sky, birdsong, and water, indicating time-lasting benefits;…”