Detecting random responders with infrequency scales using an error-balancing threshold.

Infrequency scales are becoming a popular mode of data screening, due to their availability and ease of implementation. Recent research has indicated that the interpretation and functioning of infrequency items may not be as straightforward as had previously been thought (Curran & Hauser, 2015), yet there are no empirically based guidelines for implementing cutoffs using these items. In the present study, we compared two methods of detecting random responding with infrequency items: a zero-tolerance threshold versus a threshold that balances classification error rates. The results showed that a traditional zero-tolerance approach, on average, screens data that are less indicative of careless responding than those screened by the error-balancing approach. Thus, the de facto standard of applying a "zero-tolerance" approach when screening participants with infrequency scales may be too stringent, so that meaningful responses may also be removed from analyses. Recommendations and future directions are discussed.

Momentary fluctuations in impulsivity domains: Associations with a history of childhood ADHD, heavy alcohol use, and alcohol problems.

BACKGROUND: The current study examined if fluctuation in in-the-moment impulsivity was more pronounced for adults with, versus without, a childhood history of ADHD and if ADHD group moderated the association between fluctuation in impulsivity and alcohol use behaviors. METHODS: Two hundred and eleven adult drinkers (52% ADHD) completed a 10-day, 6 times/day, momentary assessment of state impulsivity. Self-reported trait impulsivity, alcohol problems, and frequency of 5+ drinks in the past 12 months were also assessed. RESULTS: The ADHD group had more variability in three domains of state impulsivity (negative urgency, positive urgency, sensation seeking) compared to the nonADHD group. After including global trait impulsivity, the ADHD and nonADHD groups only differed on state sensation seeking. Fluctuation in two domains of state impulsivity were related to frequency of 5+ drinks (lack of planning: ADHD RR = 3.60, p < 0.001, nonADHD RR=0.90, p = 0.81; negative urgency: ADHD RR=4.32, p = 0.01, nonADHD RR=0.49, p = 0.24) and number of different alcohol problems (lack of planning: ADHD RR=4.87, p < 0.001, nonADHD RR=0.58, p = 0.29; negative urgency: ADHD RR=4.96, p = 0.01, nonADHD RR=0.24, p = 0.04) for participants with a history of ADHD but were not related (or related to fewer problems) for those without childhood ADHD. Higher variability in positive urgency was related to more alcohol problems for the participants with childhood ADHD but not the nonADHD participants (ADHD RR=3.00, p = 0.03, nonADHD RR=0.50, p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of assessing fluctuation in several domains of impulsivity and may elucidate important treatment targets for alcohol problems for adults with ADHD histories.

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

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.