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

Abstract

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. The goal of the present study was to test this developmental asymmetry hypothesis, examining whether trait premeditation moderates the effect of sensation seeking on substance use and problems, aggression, and rule-breaking behavior. Using a cross-sectional sample of college-enrolled adults (n = 491), we applied zero-inflated modeling strategies to examine the likelihood and level of risky externalizing behaviors. Results indicated that lower premeditation enhanced the effect of higher sensation seeking on higher levels of positive and negative alcohol consequences, more frequent drug use, and more problematic drug use, but was unrelated to individual differences in antisocial behaviors. Our findings indicate that the developmental asymmetry between sensation seeking and a lack of premeditation is a risk factor for individual differences in problematic substance use among young adults, and may be less applicable for antisocial behaviors among high functioning individuals.

Impulsivity Dimensions and Risky Sex Behaviors in an At-Risk Young Adult Sample

“…McCabe et al found that premeditation enhanced the associations between sensation seeking and multiple substance use behaviors but this interaction did not extend to predict antisocial behaviors. Our current findings were slightly different than those of McCabe et al (2015) in that the premeditation by negative urgency interaction was only significant for sexual partners in the past 5 years, but not for past-year unprotected sex while under the influence, which is conceptually more related to substance use. Clinically high-risk samples are particularly prone to experiencing poor emotional self-regulation (Gratz & Tull, 2010; Leadbeater, Blatt, & Quinlan, 1995), and the experience of frequent or acute negative affect increases chances of engaging in avoidant coping mechanisms (Westen, 1994), which have been linked to engagement in risky sex behaviors (Folkman, Chesney, Pollack, & Phillips, 1992).…”

“…In addition, the current findings supported the utility of the UPPS-P impulsivity measure as a clinical or screening tool to identify individuals who might be at elevated risk for risky sex behaviors. Moreover, this study supported the developmental asymmetry theory proposed by McCabe et al (2015), further expanding the research to include risky sex behaviors. These findings underscored the importance of personality factors as they relate to risky sex behaviors and the importance of incorporating such factors into prevention and intervention programs specifically tailored for young adults with a history of externalizing psychopathology.…”

“…Finally, we tested the “developmental asymmetry” hypothesis (McCabe et al, 2015), which proposed that higher dispositions toward reward-driven behavior paired with a not well-developed capacity to control such behavior would result in risky behaviors. The present study found a unique significant interaction between lack of premeditation and negative urgency, but only for the number of sexual partners in the past 5 years outcome variable.…”

“…Given that sensation seeking and affective urgency are also related to externalizing psychopathology (Anestis et al, 2009;Whiteside et al, 2005), it is important to explore whether the co-occurrence of poor impulse control (i.e., lack of premeditation) and other facets of impulsivity have synergistic effects on externalizing behaviors, such as risky sex. Integrating evidence from neurodevelopmental and personality literature, McCabe, Louie, and King (2015) proposed a “developmental asymmetry” hypothesis, which posits that young adults are at most likely to engage in risky behaviors when they have a strong disposition toward reward-driven behavior (reflected in sensation seeking) paired with a not yet fully developed capacity to control such behavior (reflected in lack of premeditation). They found lack of premeditation interacted with sensation seeking in predicting drinking consequences, drug use, and drug consequences for college students.…”

“…Based on the developmental asymmetry model presented by McCabe et al (2015), we hypothesized that lack of premeditation moderated and enhanced associations of sensation seeking and negative urgency for both risky sex outcomes.…”