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Effect of impulsivity on craving and behavioral reactivity to smoking cues

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Abstract

Introduction

Nearly 25% of American adults remain regular smokers. Current smokers may be especially likely to possess characteristics that impair their ability to quit, such as impulsivity. Impulsive individuals may be overly prone to smoke because they are particularly drawn to rewarding stimuli and related cues. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that more impulsive smokers are more responsive to cigarette cues than other smokers.

Materials and methods

In a repeated measures design, 60 euthymic, adult smokers (50% female) were exposed to a smoking cue and a neutral cue in two experimental sessions. Cue reactivity was operationalized as changes in cigarette craving and preference for immediate vs delayed smoking after cue exposure.

Results

Impulsivity predicted a heightened craving response to both cues but particularly the smoking cue (t [161] = 3.21, p = 0.002). Smokers with high levels of impulsivity exhibited a greater preference for immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards in terms of both hypothetical (t [58] = 5.99, p = 0.001) and actual (z = 3.02, p = 0.003) rewards.

Conclusion

These data suggest that increased reactivity to environmental smoking cues contributes to the link between impulsivity and smoking.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the American Heart Association grant 0410025Z to Neal Doran.

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Author notes

  1. Neal Doran

    Present address: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, Building 13, 3rd Floor, 151B, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA

  2. Bonnie Spring

    Present address: Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

  3. Dennis McChargue

    Present address: Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Neal Doran, Bonnie Spring & Dennis McChargue

  2. Hines VA Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA

    Bonnie Spring & Dennis McChargue

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  1. Neal Doran
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  2. Bonnie Spring
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Correspondence to Neal Doran.

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Doran, N., Spring, B. & McChargue, D. Effect of impulsivity on craving and behavioral reactivity to smoking cues. Psychopharmacology 194, 279–288 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-0832-x

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