The Tower Building Task: A Behavioral Tool to Evaluate Recreational Risk-Taking.

Risk-taking is a fundamental aspect of life spanning diverse contexts. Despite many tests being readily available, the behavioral assessment of risk propensity in recreational contexts, where decisions are not necessarily motivated by monetary gains or losses, is not well represented. As the tower building task (TBT) shares features of recreational activities, we evaluated whether it could assess risk-taking in this type of scenario. In the TBT, participants use standard-size wooden blocks to build the tallest tower they can within a 10 min period. In the current study we (i) examined methodological modifications to the task to either promote or reduce risky behavior and (ii) tested possible associations between the TBT scores and those of two commonly used risk-taking evaluations: The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) and the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). We found that limiting the number of permitted collapses decreased the willingness to take risks, whereas challenging participants to exceed a "record" height increased risk-taking. TBT scores of one of the conditions correlated with scores of the BART and the SSS, particularly with the subscale addressing recreational activities. These findings suggest that the TBT offers a potentially useful means of evaluating risk-taking behaviors akin to those of the recreational domain.

Brief Sensations Seeking Scale (BSSS): Validity Evidence in Mexican Adolescents.

Sensation seeking is a construct associated with risky behaviors over a wide age range, but validation studies in Mexico are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of two versions of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (the BSSS-8 and BSSS-4) in young Mexican individuals. The sample consisted of 2884 students (age: M = 16.6, SD = 1.5) from five preparatory schools in Morelos, Mexico. The internal structure of the BSSS was evaluated according to the structural equation modeling (SEM) parameterization, including measurement invariance (compared to the factor loadings obtained in the meta-analysis); conditional reliability; and equivalence between versions. The unidimensionality and measurement invariance (configurational, factor loadings, thresholds, intercepts, and residuals) across sex and age groups were satisfactory, and the factor loadings were highly congruent with those obtained in the meta-analysis. Reliability was suitably high (greater than 0.80), especially near the mean scores, but was lower for extreme scores. Thus, the instrument was concluded to be optimal for defining the construct of sensation seeking, consistent with the findings of previous studies.

The Mediating Role of Contextual Problems and Sensation Seeking in the Association between Substance Use and Mental Health in Adolescents from Northern Chile.

Substance use is a risk behavior that has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes in adolescence. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between behavioral problems, emotional problems, and substance use as well as the mediating role of contextual problems and sensation seeking in this relation. A cross-sectional study of 2277 adolescents from Northern Chile was conducted. The System for the Evaluation of Children and Adolescents (SENA) was used to assess substance use, contextual problems, sensation seeking, and emotional and behavioral problems. Through a mediational model, it was observed that substance use has a positive indirect effect on emotional and behavioral problems when both contextual problems and sensation seeking act as mediating variables. An indirect effect of substance use on contextual problems with sensation seeking as a mediator was also observed. The results suggests that context and sensation seeking are a relevant source of information in understanding adolescents and their propensity to use drugs. Interventions based on addressing contextual problems (problems with school, peers, and family) and enhancing personal resources should be implemented in order to reduce substance use in adolescents as well as the consequences it can generate in the short, medium, and long term.

Construção e validação da escala multifatorial de atração por eventos mórbidos / Construction and Validation of Attraction for Morbid Events Multifactor Scale

Resumo Objetivo. Este estudo buscou construir e validar a Escala Multifatorial de Atração por Eventos Mórbidos (AMAEM). Método. Do primeiro estudo participaram 252 pessoas da população geral, as quais responderam à EMAEM e a perguntas sociodemográficas. A análise de componentes principais indicou uma estrutura de cinco fatores. No segundo estudo, a amostra foi de 609 pessoas da população geral brasileira, as quais a escala de personalidade e a escala de busca de sensações. Resultado. A análise fatorial confirmatória apoaiou a adequação do modelo de cinco fatores. Adicionalmente, demonstrou ainda que os fatores da EMAEM podem contribuir com a compreensão de características da personalidade e sua associação com o engajamento em comportamentos antissociais.

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to construct and validate the Attraction for Morbid Events Multifactor Scale (EMAEM). Method. Two empiric studies were conducted. 252 people from the general population participated in the first study, in which a main component analysis was conducted to attest the factor structure of EMAEM. In this study, the five-factor model was most suitable. In the second study, the participants were 609 people from the general population that answered personality and antisocial behavior scales, besides EMAEM. Results. Confirmatory Factor Analysis shows the suitability of the five-factor model. Moreover, the EMAEM scale can provide aids to a better understanding of personality traits associated with engaging in risky behavior.

Excitement-Seeking Gambling in Adolescents: Health Correlates and Gambling-Related Attitudes and Behaviors.

Motivational characteristics such as excitement-seeking are key components of models of addiction, including problem gambling. Previous studies have established associations between excitement-seeking and problem gambling in youth. However, these studies have employed dimensional psychological assessments which are unlikely to be routinely administered. Other approaches to conceptualize excitement-seeking could be of value. In the present study, we employed a single question (What are the reasons that you gamble?) to identify adolescents who reported excitement-seeking motivation for gambling. Cross-sectional data from 2030 adolescent gamblers who participated in a Connecticut high-school survey were examined. Gambling perceptions and correlates of problem-gambling severity were examined relative to excitement-seeking and non-excitement-seeking gambling. Gambling perceptions were more permissive and at-risk/problem gambling was more frequent among adolescents with excitement-seeking gambling versus non-excitement-seeking gambling. A weaker relationship between problem-gambling severity and moderate and heavy alcohol use was observed for excitement-seeking versus non-excitement-seeking gambling. Excitement-seeking gambling is associated with more permissive gambling-related attitudes and riskier gambling behaviors and may account for some variance in adolescent risk of heavy alcohol use. A single question may provide important information for identifying adolescents who are at elevated risk of problem gambling and associated negative outcomes, although the utility of the question in specific settings warrants direct examination, especially given the observed high prevalence of excitement-seeking motivations for gambling.

Comparación de la búsqueda de sensaciones en diferentes niveles de la conducta alimentaria de riesgo en jóvenes / Comparative sensation seeking traits in different risky eating behaviors in young people

Resumen Los objetivos de la presente investigación son describir las conductas alimentarias, así como comparar la búsqueda de sensaciones en diferentes niveles de riesgo alimentario. Se midieron las conductas alimentarias de riesgo y la búsqueda de sensaciones. Se seleccionó una muestra no probabilística de tipo intencional de 1012 jóvenes, de entre 14 y 22 años de edad (M = 16.7). Los resultados mostraron que las mujeres se preocupan más por su peso, vomitan, ayunan, hacen dieta y usan pastillas para perder peso, en comparación con los hombres, quienes practican más atracones y tienen una mayor falta de control al comer que las mujeres. Además, quienes presentan alto riesgo alimentario tienen mayores niveles de búsqueda de sensaciones. La discusión analiza la utilidad de lo encontrado para prevenir los problemas alimentarios en los jóvenes, así como identificar a la búsqueda de sensaciones como un factor de riesgo del comportamiento alimentario dentro de los programas de nutrición y salud.

Abstract The objective of this research was to describe the risk behavior eating and analyze differencces in sensatión seeking into risk disorder eating. A questionnaire was used that included risk eating behaviors and sensation seeking inventory. A sample was use formed by 1012 youths between 14 and 22 (mean 16.7) years old, in México City. The results revealed that the woman concern about weight, vomit, fast, make restrictive dieting and use pills for weight reduce, a difference of the man, this make binge eating, lose self- control for eating, more than the woman. The youths male and female with high nutritional risk have higher levels in sensations seeking. The discussion analyzes the utility for prevent eating disorders in youths and identify the sensation seeking as a risk factor for eating behavior within the nutrition and health programs.

Modelo predictivo de conducta de infidelidad sexual entre personas casadas / Predictive model of sexual infidelity behavior among married persons

Resumen La infidelidad marital es relativamente frecuente a pesar de sus consecuencias. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo desarrollar un modelo predictivo de la conducta sexual infiel en personas casadas, mediante el análisis de siete variables que participan en el fenómeno de la infidelidad. Se colectó una muestra de 790 personas casadas (53.4 % mujeres y 47.6 % hombres) por rutas al azar en Monterrey, México. Se aplicó la Escala de Valoración de la Relación, Índice de Satisfacción Sexual, Escala de Actitud hacia la Exclusividad Marital, Escalas de Conducta Infiel, Escala de Búsqueda de Sensaciones Sexuales y Escala de Engrandecimiento Marital. Se especificó el modelo con 2 variables exógenas correlacionadas (búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales y engrandecimiento marital) y 5 variables endógenas (actitud hacia la infidelidad, satisfacción marital, satisfacción sexual, deseo de infidelidad sexual y conducta de infidelidad sexual). De cada 100 participantes, 6 estaban insatisfechos con su matrimonio, 13 con las relaciones sexuales con su pareja y 20 veían más defectos que virtudes en sus parejas. Además, 83 informaron no incurrir en conductas de infidelidad sexual, 60 indicaron total rechazo hacia la propia infidelidad, 72 no mostraron deseo de infidelidad sexual y 51 reportaron no buscar de sensaciones sexuales. El modelo mostró un efecto grande sobre la conducta de infidelidad sexual, explicando 70.8 % de su varianza, y tuvo un buen ajuste: χ 2 (7) = 11.93, P = 0.10, RMSEA = 0.03 y SRMR = 0.01. Se concluye que la variable más crítica es el deseo de infidelidad sexual, cuyo determinante más importante es la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales. La correlación negativa entre esta última variable y engrandecimiento marital indica que estas 2 variables se pueden modular una a la otra. A su vez, el modelo remarca aspectos de insatisfacción marital y sexual.

Abstract Marital infidelity is relatively frequent despite its consequences. The aim of the study was to develop a predictive model of sexual infidelity behavior among married persons, through the analysis of seven variables related to the infidelity construct. A sample of 790 married persons (53.4 % women and 47.6 % men) was collected in Monterrey, Mexico using random route sampling. The Relationship Assessment Scale, Sexual Satisfaction Index, Attitude toward Marital Exclusivity Scale, Unfaithful Behavior Scales, Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale, and Marital Aggrandizement Scale were applied. A model with 2 correlated exogenous variables (sexual sensation seeking and marital aggrandizement) and 5 endogenous variables (attitude towards infidelity, marital satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, desire for sexual infidelity, and sexual infidelity behavior) was specified. Six out of 100 participants were dissatisfied with their marriage and 13 with sexual relations with their partner and 20 saw more defects than virtues in their partners. In addition, 83 informed not engaging in sexual infidelity behaviors, 60 indicated total rejection towards own sexual infidelity, 72 showed no desire for sexual infidelity and 51 reported not seeking sexual sensations. The model showed a large effect on the sexual infidelity behavior, explaining 70.8 % of its variance, and had a close fit: χ 2 (7) = 11.93, P-value = 0.10, RMSEA = 0.03, and SRMR = 0.01. It is concluded that the most critical variable in the model is the desire for sexual infidelity, whose most important determinant was the sexual sensation seeking. The negative correlation between this last variable and marital aggrandizement indicates that these 2 variables can be modulated one to the other. Furthermore, the model highlights aspects of marital and sexual dissatisfaction.

Risk taking, sensation seeking and personality as related to changes in substance use from adolescence to young adulthood.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined changes in substance use from adolescence to young adulthood as related to adolescents' risk taking, sensation seeking, antisocial activities, and personality traits. METHODS: Chilean youth (N = 890, 52% female) were studied in adolescence (14.5 and 16.2 years) and young adulthood (M age 21.3 years). Risk taking was assessed via a laboratory-based performance task (Balloon Analogue Risk Task), and self-administered questionnaires assessed sensation seeking, antisocial behaviors, personality and substance use. RESULTS: Frequent involvement in sensation seeking and antisocial activities were associated with increased odds of continued marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood and of illicit substance use at young adulthood. High risk taking was associated with a reduced likelihood of discontinuing marijuana use at young adulthood, and high agreeableness and conscientiousness were associated with reduced likelihood of new onset marijuana use and illicit substance use at young adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight specific risk-taking tendencies and personality characteristics that relate to initiating, continuing, or discontinuing substance use at entry into adulthood. Sensation seeking and involvement in antisocial activities were the two foremost risk factors for continued use, which is a forecaster of drug dependence. Findings suggest potential prevention and intervention targets for abstaining from or discontinuing substance use as youth transition to adulthood.

Validación de una escala para medir actitud hacia la infidelidad en personas mexicanas casadas de Monterrey / Validation of a Scale to Assess Attitude Towards Infi delity Among Married Mexicans from Monterrey

Resumen Se ha propuesto que la actitud de rechazo hacia la infidelidad actúa como factor protector de sexo extradiádico, el cual puede tener efectos negativos para la estabilidad de la pareja. La escala de actitud hacia exclusividad marital (ATMES, por sus siglas en inglés: Attitude Toward Marital Exclusivity Scale) es un instrumento breve. Se usa en la investigación para medir actitud hacia la infidelidad a la pareja, pero no está validado en México. Este artículo tiene como objetivos validar la ATMES y contrastar un modelo para predecir infidelidad sexual. Se usó un muestreo de rutas al azar. A 727 personas casadas mexicanas (52.8% mujeres y 47.2% hombres) se les aplicó cuatro instrumentos de medida. La consistencia interna de la ATMES fue excelente, su distribución mostró asimetría positiva y se validó el modelo de un factor. Un modelo en el que el deseo de infidelidad sexual predice la infidelidad sexual, el deseo de infidelidad sexual es predicho por actitud hacia la infidelidad, satisfacción marital y búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales y estas dos últimas variables correlacionadas predicen actitud hacia la infidelidad, tuvo buen ajuste a los datos. Se concluye que la ATMES es una medida unidimensional, consistente y presenta evidencias de validez de constructo.

Abstract: It has been proposed that an attitude of rejection toward infidelity acts as a protective factor from extradyadic sex, which can have negative effects for the stability of the couple. The Attitude Toward Marital Exclusivity Scale (ATMES) is a brief instrument, used in research, but it is not validated in Mexico. The objectives of this article were to validate the ATMES, and to contrast a model to predict sexual infidelity. A random-route sampling was used. A questionnaire composed of four scales was administered to 727 Mexican married persons (52.8% women and 47.2% men). The internal consistency of ATMES was excellent, the distribution of ATMES scores showed positive asymmetry, and the one-factor model was validated. A model, in which the desire for sexual infidelity predicts sexual infidelity, the desire for sexual infidelity is predicted by attitude toward infidelity, marital satisfaction and sexual sensation seeking and these last two correlated variables predict attitude toward infidelity, had a good fit to the data, and was valid for both sexes. It is concluded that ATMES is a consistent, one-dimensional measure, that shows evidence of construct validity.

Development and validity evidence of the Two-Dimensional Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale / Desarrollo y evidencia de validez de la Escala Bidimensional de Búsqueda de Sensaciones Sexuales

Abstract Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), mainly HIV/AIDS, are acquired through risky sexual behaviors that have been associated with sexual sensation seeking. The purpose of this work is development a new scale for the assessment of sexual sensations seeking, with evidence of validity based on internal structure and relationship to other measures, for use in young people and adults in a Latin American context. An instrumental study was performed, with time-space sampling of students from the two Chilean cities with the highest rates of HIV. Final scale has 9 items to evaluate two dimensions: (1) sexual emotions seeking and (2) tendency to sexual boredom. The identified structure provides good levels of reliability and presents validity evidence, based on the internal structure of the test, using CFA and ESEM. Two-dimensional sexual sensation seeking scale evidence proper psychometric properties to evaluate the seeking for sexual sensations in equivalents samples.

Resumen Resumen Las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), principalmente el VIH/SIDA, son adquiridas a través de comportamientos sexuales de riesgo que se han asociado con la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales. El propósito de este trabajo es desarrollar un nuevo instrumento de medida para evaluar la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales en jóvenes y adultos en Latinoamérica. Se realizó un estudio instrumental, con un muestreo espaciotemporal en estudiantes de las dos ciudades chilenas con mayores índices de VIH. La escala final contiene 9 ítems para evaluar dos dimensiones: (1) búsqueda de emociones sexuales y (2) tendencia al aburrimiento sexual. La estructura identificada proporciona niveles adecuados de confiabilidad y presenta evidencia de validez, basada en la estructura interna del test, utilizando AFC y ESEM. La Escala Bidimensional de Búsqueda de Sensaciones Sexuales evidencia propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para eva luar la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales en muestras equivalentes.

Smartphone and Facebook addictions share common risk and prognostic factors in a sample of undergraduate students / Dependência de smartphone e dependência de Facebook compartilham fatores de risco e prognósticos em uma amostra de estudantes universitários

Abstract Introduction To improve the comprehension of the interface between smartphone addiction (SA) and Facebook addiction (FA), we hypothesize that the occurrence of both technological addictions correlate, with higher levels of negative consequences. Moreover, we hypothesize that SA is associated with lower levels of social support satisfaction. Methods We recruited a convenience sample of undergraduate students from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, with age ranging between 18 and 35 years. All subjects completed a self-fulfilled questionnaire comprising sociodemographic data, the Brazilian Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI-BR), the Bergen Scale for Facebook Addiction, the Barrat Impulsivity Scale 11 (BIS-11), the Social Support Satisfaction Scale (SSSS), and the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS-8). After completing the questionnaire, the interviewer conducted a Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results In the univariate analysis, SA associated with female gender, with ages 18 to 25 years, FA, substance abuse disorders, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, low scores in SSSS, high scores in BSSS-8, and high scores in BIS. The group with SA and FA presented a higher prevalence of substance abuse disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders when compared to the group with SA only. Conclusion In our sample, co-occurrence of SA and FA correlated with higher levels of negative consequences and lower levels of social support satisfaction. These results strongly suggest that SA and FA share some elements of vulnerability. Further studies are warranted to clarify the directions of these associations.

Resumo Introdução Para melhorar a compreensão da interface entre dependência de smartphone (DS) e a dependência de Facebook (DF), avaliamos a hipótese de que a ocorrência simultânea de ambas as dependências corelaciona-se com o número de consequências negativas por elas produzidas. Além disso, avaliamos se a DS está associada a níveis mais baixos de satisfação com o suporte social. Método Recrutamos uma amostra de conveniência de estudantes de graduação da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, na faixa de 18 e 35 anos. Todos os sujeitos preencheram o questionário avaliando dados sociodemográficos e contendo a versão brasileira do Smartphone Addiction Inventory, a Escala de Bergen para DF, a Escala de Impulsividade de Barrat 11 (BIS-11), a Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social (SSSS) e a Escala Breve de Busca de Sensações (BSSS-8). Após o preenchimento do questionário, os entrevistadores realizaram a Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Resultados Na análise univariada, a DS associou-se ao sexo feminino, pessoas na faixa de idade entre 18 e 25 anos, rastreio para DF, transtornos por uso de substâncias, transtorno depressivo maior, transtornos de ansiedade, baixos escores na SSSS, altos escores na BSSS-8 e altos escores na BIS. O grupo rastreado positivamente para DS e DF apresentou maior prevalência de transtornos por uso de substâncias, depressão e transtornos de ansiedade quando comparado ao grupo rastreado apenas para DS. Conclusão Na amostra avaliada, a comorbidade de DS e DF se correlacionou a níveis mais altos de consequências negativas e níveis mais baixos de satisfação com o suporte social. Esses resultados sugerem que DS e DF compartilham fatores de vulnerabilidade. Estudos adicionais são necessários para esclarecer a direção dessas associações.

CUBI-18: Un instrumento para medir tres subtipos de impulsividad / CUBI-18: An instrument for measuring three types of impulsivity

Ante la complejidad conceptual del constructo impulsividad, autores como Whiteside y Lynam (2001) han sugerido que cuando se habla de impulsividad se refiere, a por lo menos, tres o cuatro fenómenos diferentes. Recientemente se ha propuesto un instrumento, adaptado en nuestro medio, para medir simultáneamente tres subtipos de impulsividad basados en esta teoría: el Cuestionario de Urgencia, Búsqueda de Sensaciones e Impulsividad (CUBI, 2017). El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo superador lograr su versión abreviada. La muestra estuvo formada por 675 participantes de la población general de la Capital Federal de la ciudad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) y se previó que no fueran psicólogos ni estudiantes de psicología para evitar variables contaminadoras sobre las respuestas del instrumento. El CUBI-18 se constituyó a partir del análisis de contenido de los 47 ítems originales. Para ello, hubo una selección de 6 ítems por cada escala, de acuerdo a la validez de contenido de los tres subtipos de impulsividad. Se alcanzó un índice kappa del 80% entre dos jueces evaluadores y se aplicó un análisis factorial exploratorio para reducir los 18 ítems. Para estimar la consistencia interna de los factores obtenidos se aplicó el coeficiente omega. Fue posible reducir los datos extraídos con los 18 ítems en tres grandes dimensiones que se corresponden con los conceptos de Urgencia Compulsiva, Búsqueda de Sensaciones e Impulsividad por Imprevisión. Se prueba que las propiedades psicométricas del CUBI-18 mantienen las alcanzadas por el CUBI original. Esto permite contar con una prueba más breve e igualmente efectiva para la exploración de este constructo complejo.

Given the conceptual complexity of the impulsivity construct, authors such as Whiteside and Lynam (2001) have proposed that, when one speaks of this term, it is referring to at least three or four different phenomena. Based on the theory of the five major personality factors (Costa, & McCrae, 2000) Whiteside and Lynam propose that four subtypes of impulsivity can be drawn from the personological dimensions Neuroticism, Extravertion and Consciousness of the Big five model. These are Urgency, facet of Neuroticism; Sensation Seeking trait of Extroversion; Lack of Planning and Lack of Persistence as part of the Consciousness dimension. An instrument has recently been proposed, adapted to the Argentine population of the Buenos Aires city, to simultaneously measure three subtypes of impulsivity based on this theoretical paradigm. The Questionnaire of Urgency, Sensation Seeking and Impulsivity (CUBI, 2017). The CUBI does not include the Lack of Persistence of the original model because it is not considered a subtype of impulsivity But if a characteristic associated with Improvidence Impulsivity. The CUBI measures Compulsive Urgency, Sensation Seeking and Improvidence Impulsivity. The Urgency scale is related to the commission of compulsive behaviors, whose objective is to alleviate the discomfort caused by emotional stress. The Urgency is a measure of the inability to regulate one's impulses. On the other hand, the items of Sensation Seeking indicate the predisposition of the individuals to the behavioral approach before the signals of rewards and novel stimuli. It is also a measure of intolerance to monotony. Finally, Impulsivity for lack of Planning is a scale that indicates the tendency to act fast, without foreseeing the consequences of the acts themselves. It characterizes individuals who do not use all the information they have available before making decisions. The objective of the present work is to obtain an abbreviated version of CUBI maintaining the content validity of the three types of scale. The sample was constituted by 675 participants of the general population of the Federal Capital of Buenos Aires city of Argentina (57% women). The mean age was 33.5 years (SD = 15.7), with ages ranging from 18 to 81 years. Participants were recruited according to inclusion criteria: they should not be psychologists or students of psychology, they should not be taking psychiatric mediation, nor find themselves being treated for a psychopathological disorder. The CUBI-18 was constituted from content analysis of the 47 original items. Six items were selected for each scale, according to the content validity of the three subtypes of impulsivity. A kappa index of 80% is reached between two judges. The result is a version of 18 items adjusted to the theoretical content. An exploratory factor analysis was applied to reduce the 18 items. Items weighing less than .30 were eliminated following the criteria of Hair, Anderson, Tatham, & Black (1998). All three factors accounted for 53.4% of the instrument's total variance. When comparing the subsamples of men and women emerged the same factor structure without the need to eliminate any item. To estimate the internal consistency of the factors obtained, the omega coefficient was applied. It was possible to reduce the data extracted with the 18items in three large dimensions that correspond to the concepts of Compulsive Urgency, Sensation Seeking and Improvidence Impulsivity. It is proved that the psychometric properties of CUBI-18 maintain those reached by the original CUBI. This allows for a shorter and equally effective test for the exploration of this complex construct.

Neuropsychological Profiles of Three Subtypes of Impulsivity in the General Population: A Young Adults Study.

The impulsivity construct has been investigated in the psychological literature as both a personality factor and a manifestation of the cognitive functioning of individuals. In addition, an increasing number of studies have shown that impulsivity is not a unitary concept and that it must be conceived of as several subtypes. We investigated whether a self-report test of three types of impulsivity could be a good predictor of cognitive functioning in healthy individuals. The sample was composed of 230 subjects (65% women) with a mean age of 28.4 years (SD = 13.6 years) from the general population of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The sample was evaluated using the Questionnaire on Compulsive Urgency, Sensation Seeking, and Impulsive Improvidence (CUBI-18; Squillace Louhau, & Picón Janerio, 2019), which measures three impulsivity subtypes. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to measure not only executive-attentional functioning, verbal and non-verbal fluency, and speed of processing, but also strategies in the decision-making process. The results showed a differential profile of the three subtypes of impulsivity. Compulsive Urgency was associated with greater executive- attentional difficulties, Impulsive Improvidence with lower fluency in processing nonverbal information, and Sensation Seeking with better general cognitive performance and risk-taking during decision-making.

El constructo impulsividad ha sido investigado, dentro de la literatura psicológica, tanto como un factor de personalidad como una manifestación del funcionamiento cognitivo de los individuos. A su vez, la creciente investigación muestra que ésta no debe concebirse como un concepto unitario sino ser definida a través de varios subtipos. En este trabajo se buscó indagar sobre la posibilidad de que una prueba de auto-informe de tres tipos de impulsividad sea un buen predictor del funcionamiento cognitivo en individuos sanos. La muestra estuvo constituida por 230 sujetos (65% mujeres) con edad media de 28.4 años (SD = 13.6 años) de la población general de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se evaluó a través del Cuestionario de Urgencia Compulsiva, Búsqueda de Sensaciones e Impulsividad por Imprevisión (CUBI, Squillace Louhau, & Picón Janerio, 2019) que mide los tres subtipos de impulsividad. En relación a esto, se utilizó una batería de pruebas neuropsicológicas para mensurar tanto el funcionamiento ejecutivo-atencional, la fluencia verbal y no verbal, la velocidad de procesamiento, así como las estrategias en el proceso de toma de decisiones. Los resultados encontrados han sido significativos y han demostrado un perfil diferencial de los tres subtipos de impulsividad. Primero, la Urgencia Compulsiva puede relacionarse con mayores dificultades ejecutivo-atencionales, segundo, la Impulsividad por Imprevisión con una menor fluencia del procesamiento de información no verbal y, por último, la Búsqueda de Sensaciones con un mejor rendimiento cognitivo general y la toma de riesgos durante la toma de decisiones. En conclusión, la prueba de auto-informe de tres tipos de impulsividad mencionada puede ser un buen predictor del funcionamiento cognitivo en contextos no patológicos.

Do parenting behaviors modify the way sensation seeking influences antisocial behaviors?

BACKGROUND: Parenting behaviors have been shown to moderate the association between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Boricua Youth Study, a longitudinal study of 2,491 Puerto Rican youth living in the South Bronx, New York, and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. First, we examined the prospective relationship between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors across 3 yearly waves and whether this relationship varied by sociodemographic factors. Second, we examined the moderating role of parenting behaviors-including parental monitoring, warmth, and coercive discipline-on the prospective relationship between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Sensation seeking was a strong predictor of antisocial behaviors for youth across two different sociocultural contexts. High parental monitoring buffered the association between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors, protecting individuals with this trait. Low parental warmth was associated with high levels of antisocial behaviors, regardless of the sensation seeking level. Among those with high parental warmth, sensation seeking predicted antisocial behaviors, but the levels of antisocial behaviors were never as high as those of youth with low parental warmth. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings underscore the relevance of person-family context interactions in the development of antisocial behaviors. Future interventions should focus on the interplay between individual vulnerabilities and family context to prevent the unhealthy expression of a trait that is present in many individuals.

Why Do Young Hispanic Women Take Sexual Risks? Psychological and Cultural Factors for HIV Prevention.

Young Hispanic women have been particularly affected by HIV. For this reason, we analyzed the influence of cognitive factors, dispositional variables, and gender culture on the HIV risks of two groups of Hispanic women. Young Argentinian and Spanish women (N = 342) completed the AIDS Prevention Questionnaire, the Spanish version of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, and the Spanish version of the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale in order to evaluate knowledge of HIV transmission, HIV, and condom use; self-efficacy; safe-sex intention and safe sex; as well as Sexual Sensation Seeking and Sexual Compulsivity traits. Our findings support a different pattern of HIV risk based on gender inequality, although self-efficacy and sexual sensation seeking seem to have been the main important predictors of unsafe sex and HIV risk. Social and psychological factors should be considered to design HIV prevention strategies aimed at young Hispanic women.

Interplay between sensation seeking and risky alcohol drinking in Mexican adolescents: An structural modeling equation approach.

Alcohol drinking represents one of the most important public health problems in adolescents. One axis of analysis of the correlates that affect alcohol consumption in adolescents is personality traits. In particular, sensation seeking maintains a consistent relationship with consumer behaviors. The objective of this research was tested in a structural equation model to show the structural effect of sensation seeking on risky alcohol drinking. The sensation seeking inventory (Palacios, 2015a) was used and alcohol drinking was measured with a survey of a sample of 550 Mexico City youth between 14 and 23 (𝑀 = 16.88; 𝑆𝐷 = 1.3) years old The results indicated the factorial validity of alcohol drinking in this sample. The structural equation modeling analyses suggested sensation seeking is a significant predictor for alcohol drinking behavior. The discussion analyzes the influence of sensation seeking on alcohol drinking and suggests implications for interventions.

El consumo de alcohol es uno de los problemas entre los jóvenes. Un rasgo de personalidad que estudia su efecto sobre el consumo de alcohol es la búsqueda de sensaciones. El objetivo de esta investigación fue probar en un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, la validez factorial del consumo de alcohol, a partir de la búsqueda de sensaciones. Se administró el inventario de búsqueda de sensaciones (Palacios, 2015a) y se midió el consumo de alcohol con un cuestionario en una muestra formada por 550 jóvenes entre 14 y 23 años de edad, en la Ciudad de México. Los resultados indicaron la validez factorial del consumo de alcohol en esta muestra. El análisis de ecuaciones estructurales sugirió que la búsqueda de sensaciones es un predictor del comportamiento de consumo de alcohol. La discusión analiza la influencia de la búsqueda de sensaciones en el consumo de alcohol y se sugieren implicaciones de intervención.

Factor Analysis of the Brazilian Version of UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale.

Objective: To examine the internal consistency and factor structure of the Brazilian adaptation of the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale. Methods: UPPS is a self-report scale composed by 40 items assessing four factors of impulsivity: (a) urgency, (b) lack of premeditation; (c) lack of perseverance; (d) sensation seeking. In the present study 384 participants (278 women and 106 men), who were recruited from schools, universities, leisure centers and workplaces fulfilled the UPPS scale. An exploratory factor analysis was performed by using Varimax factor rotation and Kaiser Normalization, and we also conducted two confirmatory analyses to test the independency of the UPPS components found in previous analysis. Results: Results showed a decrease in mean UPPS total scores with age and this analysis showed that the youngest participants (below 30 years) scored significantly higher than the other groups over 30 years. No difference in gender was found. Cronbach's alpha, results indicated satisfactory values for all subscales, with similar high values for the subscales and confirmatory factor analysis indexes also indicated a poor model fit. The results of two exploratory factor analysis were satisfactory. Conclusion: Our results showed that the Portuguese version has the same four-factor structure of the original and previous translations of the UPPS.

The Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-V) and Its Use in Latin American Adolescents: Alcohol Consumption Pattern as an External Criterion for Its Validation.

Sensation Seeking is a trait defined by the seeking of varied, novel, complex, and intense situations and experiences, and the willingness to take physical, social, and financial risks for the sake of such experience. The Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-V) is the most widely used measure to assess this construct. In previous studies a variety of psychometric limitations were found when using the SSS-V with Latin American population. The purpose of this study is to present additional psychometric properties for its use with Latin American adolescents. It was applied to a 506 adolescent sample (from 12 to 20 years). The result is a scale of 22 items that cover four factors. It seems that sensation seeking among Latin American adolescents can be described in terms of four factors, but with some slightly content differences from what is usually found in adult samples from other countries. Future lines of research are proposed.

Family dynamics and alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents: The mediating role of negative emotional symptoms and sensation seeking.

The literature indicates a close relationship between family dynamics and psychoactive substance use among adolescents, and multi-causality among substance use-related problems, including personal adolescent characteristics as potential influential aspects in this relationship. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of emotional symptoms and sensation seeking as mediators in the relationship between family dynamics and alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents. The sample consisted of 571 high school students with a mean age of 14.63, who completed the Communities That Care Youth Survey in its Spanish version. We propose and test a mediation-in-serial model to identify the relationships between the study variables. The results of the mediation models indicate that, in most cases, the relationship between family dynamics and the substance use variables is meaningfully carried through the proposed mediators, first through negative emotional symptoms, and then through sensation seeking. The meaning of the mediation varies as a function of the facet of family dynamics (conflict or attachment) and the use aspect (age of onset, frequency of use, and use intention). We discuss the implications of these findings for intervention and prevention strategies.

Trajectories of Sensation Seeking Among Puerto Rican Children and Youth.

OBJECTIVE: To document the natural course of sensation seeking from childhood to adolescence, characterize distinct sensation seeking trajectories, and examine how these trajectories vary according to selected predictors. METHOD: Data were obtained from the Boricua Youth Study, a longitudinal study of 2,491 children and adolescents of Puerto Rican background (3 assessments from 2000 to 2004). First, age-specific sensation seeking levels were characterized, and then age-adjusted residuals were analyzed using growth mixture models. RESULTS: On average, sensation seeking was stable in childhood (ages 5-10 years) and increased during adolescence (ages 11-17 years). Mean scores of sensation seeking were higher in the South Bronx versus Puerto Rico and among males versus females. Four classes of sensation seeking trajectories were observed: most study participants had age-expected sensation seeking trajectories following the average for their age ("normative," 43.8%); others (37.2%) remained consistently lower than the expected average for their age ("low" sensation seeking); some (12.0%) had an "accelerated" sensation seeking trajectory, increasing at a faster rate than expected; and a minority (7.0%) had a decreasing sensation seeking trajectory that started high but decreased, reaching scores slightly higher than the age-average sensation seeking scores ("stabilizers"). Site (South Bronx versus Puerto Rico) and gender were predictors of membership in a specific class of sensation seeking trajectory. CONCLUSION: It is important to take a developmental approach when examining sensation seeking and to consider gender and the social environment when trying to understand how sensation seeking evolves during childhood and adolescence.