title: Self-reported impulsivity, but not behavioral approach or inhibition, mediates the relationship between stress and self-control.
abstract: Stress has been associated with poor self-control. Individual differences in impulsivity and other behavioral tendencies may influence the relationship of stress with self-control, although this possibility has not been examined to date. The present research investigated whether cumulative stress is associated with poor self-control, and whether this relationship is mediated by impulsivity, behavioral approach, and behavioral inhibition in men and women. A community sample of 566 adults (319 women and 247 men) was assessed on the Cumulative Adversity Interview, Brief Self-control Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and Behavioral Activation System and Behavioral Inhibition System Scale (BIS/BAS). Data were analyzed using regression and bootstrapping techniques. In the total sample, the effects of cumulative stress on self-control were mediated by impulsivity. Neither behavioral inhibition nor behavioral approach mediated the association between cumulative stress and self-control in the total sample. Results were similar when men and women were considered separately, with impulsivity, but not behavioral inhibition or approach, mediating the association between cumulative stress and self-control. Impulsive individuals might benefit preferentially from interventions focusing on stress management and strategies for improving self-control.
authors: Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 2103 Cole Field House, College Park, MD 20742, United States. Electronic address: khamilt4@umd.edu.
authors: Kristen R
authors: KR
authors: Hamilton
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06511, United States; Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Road, New Haven, CT 06520, United States; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
authors: Rajita
authors: R
authors: Sinha
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06511, United States; Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Road, New Haven, CT 06520, United States; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
authors: Marc N
authors: MN
authors: Potenza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behavioral approach; Behavioral inhibition; Cumulative stress; Impulsivity; Self-control