Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, Vol 33(6), Dec 2025, 576-585; doi:10.1037/pha0000801
Impulsivity is the tendency to act hastily in reaction to internal and external cues without consideration of all potential outcomes. Limited research has used a person-centered approach to explore patterns of impulsivity and risky behavior involvement, but not how different dimensions of impulsivity relate to multiple risk behaviors within the same individuals. The present study aimed to identify latent groups based on five self-report impulsivity measures and to assess differences in latent profiles as related to alcohol use and problems, drug use, gambling, and polysubstance use. Participants were 1,608 college students (Mage = 20.52; 67% female) who completed an online survey assessing impulsivity and risky behavior engagement. Latent profile analysis indicated three profiles best represented the data: preference for reward/stimulation (39.2%), low sensitivity to punishment (39.1%), and behavioral activation (21.7%). Significant differences were found among profiles and risky behaviors, with Profile 1 “preference for reward/stimulation” exhibiting significantly higher levels of alcohol use and problems, drug use, gambling, and polysubstance use than other profiles. Results suggested that impulsivity, particularly marked by heightened responsiveness to rewards and elevated levels of rash impulsivity, may be associated with increased engagement in several risky behaviors, including polysubstance use and gambling. Findings offered more depth to the conceptualization of impulsivity and provided novel information on polysubstance use and behavioral addictions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)