Personality and performance-based measures in the prediction of alcohol use.

Abstract

Research has demonstrated a variable relationship between alcohol consumption and self-report personality measures of novelty seeking and harm avoidance. Research has also demonstrated a relationship between performance-based measures of risk taking and substance use. The current study compared the utility of personality measures and performance-based measures in the prediction of alcohol use. The authors hypothesized that the domains would contribute uniquely and would also interact in the prediction of alcohol consumption. Data on alcohol consumption were collected on a daily basis for 2 weeks. Performance-based measures included the Bechara Gambling Task and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. The Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire was the primary personality measure. Results partially supported hypotheses, in that personality measures showed strong relationships with alcohol use and interacted with performance-based measures in predicting alcohol consumption. Thus, both behavioral and personality measures contributed to prediction of alcohol consumption, and performance-based measures played a moderating role. Results suggest that a combination of behavioral and self-report personality measures may be useful for those screening groups for risk factors for excessive alcohol consumption.

The Impact of Alcohol and Energy Drink Consumption on Intoxication and Risk-Taking Behavior

“…These results align with several studies revealing no significant correlation between BART outcomes and trait sensation seeking and impulsivity measures (Aklin et al, 2005;Hunt et al, 2005;Lejuez et al, 2003a;Skeel et al, 2008). The majority of the literature points toward weak associations between psychometric and behavioral impulsivity measures among nonclinical samples, suggesting that the behavioral tendencies identified in self-report and laboratory measures may differ (Lane et al, 2003;Reynolds et al, 2006aReynolds et al, , 2008.…”

“…Unlike other behavioral measures, the BART conceptualizes risk-taking as occurring on a continuum, with risk-taking becoming disadvantageous only at a certain point, which varies according to the circumstances (Lejuez et al, 2003a). Thus, the BART is advised for administration in nonclinical populations, as it captures risky behavior that is not necessarily disadvantageous (Skeel et al, 2008). However, despite significant correlations with selfreported real-world substance use behaviors (Aklin et al, 2005;Lejuez et al, 2003a,b), the BART has not consistently detected the acute effects of drugs on risk-taking.…”

Impaired decision making on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task as a result of long-term alcohol use

“…Fernie, Cole, Goudie, and Field (2010) reported that BART performance significantly predicted alcohol use after controlling for gender differences and trait impulsivity. This finding represents an extension of the findings of Skeel, Pilarski, Pytlak, and Neudecker (2008) who suggested that while BART performance alone did not predict alcohol use, an interaction between BART performance and novelty seeking as measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire explained variance in reported alcohol consumption (i.e., poorer BART performance was associated with greater alcohol use as novelty seeking increased, and better BART performance was associated with greater alcohol use as novelty seeking decreased). Fecteau et al (2007) employed the BART to demonstrate that by increasing neuronal excitation in the dorsolateral PFC with transcranial direct current stimulation, healthy participants responded more conservatively.…”

Personality and Addiction: A Critical Review of Assessment Approaches

“…With regard to the temperament dimensions, there is some evidence to suggest that novelty seeking (positively) and harm avoidance (negatively) are related to alcohol use (Koposov, Ruchkin, Eisemann, and Sidorov, 2005;Skeel, Pilarski, Pytlak, and Neudecker, 2008). Of the character dimensions, both cooperativeness and selfdirectness may be related to alcohol use (Egger et al, 2007).…”