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A Comparison of Self-Reported Impulsivity in Gambling Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

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Abstract

The present study investigated self-reported impulsivity in gambling disorder (GD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Participants with GD (n = 31), BD (n = 19), and community controls (n = 68) completed diagnostic interviews and symptom severity and functioning assessments. Participants also completed the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale composed of five dimensions including urgency (i.e., acting rashly under conditions of negative or positive emotion), lack of perseverance (i.e., inability to maintain focus), lack of premeditation (i.e., inability to consider negative consequences), and sensation seeking (i.e., tendency to pursue novel and exciting activities). Multivariate analysis of variance showed overall significant differences among the diagnostic groups on the UPPS-P subscales. Follow-up analyses of variance showed that the groups differed on all subscales except sensation seeking. The gambling and bipolar groups had significantly higher levels of self-reported impulsivity on all subscales when compared to controls. In addition, the BD group showed higher levels of positive urgency when compared to the GD group. Positive and negative urgency showed the strongest association with GD and BD. Impaired emotion regulation mechanisms may underlie self-reported impulsivity in both disorders. Lack of premeditation and perseverance may be related to dysfunctional cognitive processes.

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Acknowledgements

The current study was funded by the Gambling Family Study of Clinical and Cognitive Functioning (Alberta Gambling Research Institute Grant 68) and Cell Membrane Alterations in Bipolar Disorder: A Neuroimaging, Peripheral Lipid, and Cognitive Biomarkers Study (Hotchkiss Brain Institute/Pfizer Award). Dr. Goghari was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Salary Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Mohammed K. Shakeel & David C. Hodgins

  2. Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada

    Vina M. Goghari

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  1. Mohammed K. Shakeel
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  2. David C. Hodgins
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  3. Vina M. Goghari
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Correspondence to Mohammed K. Shakeel.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Shakeel, M.K., Hodgins, D.C. & Goghari, V.M. A Comparison of Self-Reported Impulsivity in Gambling Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. J Gambl Stud 35, 339–350 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9808-5

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