title: Trait impulsivity predicts D-KEFS tower test performance in university students.
abstract: The present study examined a widely used self-report index of trait impulsiveness in relation to performance on a well-known neuropsychological executive function test in 70 university undergraduate students (50 women, 20 men) aged 18 to 24 years old. Participants completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), after which they performed the Tower Test of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System. Hierarchical linear regression showed that after controlling for gender, current alcohol consumption, age at onset of weekly alcohol use, and FrSBe scores, BIS-11 significantly predicted Tower Test Achievement scores, β = -.44, p < .01. The results indicate that self-reported impulsiveness is associated with poorer executive cognitive performance even in a sample likely to be characterized by relatively high general cognitive functioning (i.e., university students). The results also support the role of inhibition as a key aspect of executive task performance. Elevated scores on the BIS-11 and FrSBe are known to be linked to risky drinking in young adults as confirmed in this sample; however, only BIS-11 predicted Tower Test performance.
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , Bond University , Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyvers
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Basch
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cognition; executive function; frontal lobes; impulsiveness; personality