A meta-analytic review of the relation between impulsivity-related traits and family history of alcoholism

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Extensive research provides evidence that people with a family history of alcoholism are at risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Similarly, people with impulsivity-related traits are at increased risk for developing alcohol problems. Importantly, research suggests that impulsivity mediates the relation between family history of alcoholism and the development of alcohol problems. However, impulsivity is a heterogenous construct and has been assessed with a myriad of measures. The present work is a quantitative synthesis of the literature on the relation between family history of alcoholism and impulsivity-related traits and that also examines various potential moderators of this association. Sixty-nine independent effect sizes from 65 studies (N = 11,127) qualified for the meta-analysis. The overall effect size was small-to-moderate (d = .32 [95% CI: 0.25, 0.39], k = 69), and was moderated by offspring age (Z = 3.73, p < .001), with the effect size increasing with age. When examining specific facets of impulsivity, a small effect was found for harm avoidance (d = -.26 [95% CI: -.41, -.11], k = 10) and was moderated by family history density (Q (1) = 4.12, p = .04) such that the effect was much larger among those with more than one alcoholic family member (d = -.66 [95% CI: -1.10, -.22], k = 3). A small-to-moderate effect size was found for sensation seeking (d = .30 [95% CI: .21, .40], k = 29) and was moderated by age (Z = 3.09, p = .002), with the effect increasing with age. The effect sizes for all other facets of impulsivity were not significant. Notably, there were much fewer studies investigating other facets of impulsivity (e.g., reward dependence, lack of perseverance, lack of planning) compared to sensation seeking, limiting power to detect larger effect sizes. Findings from this review suggest the need for additional studies investigating the relation between specific facets of impulsivity (e.g., positive and negative urgency) and family history of alcoholism. In addition, this review suggests that, to some degree, we can identify phenotypic risk beyond mere family history status and, thus, inform the development of interventions for individuals with a family history of alcoholism, targeting the specific types of impulsivity manifested.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychological sciences (MU)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Missouri--Columbia

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Haeny, Angela Maria

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Sher, Kenneth J.

Statement dc:rights

• Access to files is limited to the University of Missouri--Columbia with SSO login.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32469/10355/69814

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/69814