title: A comparison of two models of Urgency: Urgency predicts both rash action and depression in youth.
abstract: The aim of this study was to test two competing theories concerning the trait of urgency: (1) urgency reflects the tendency to act rashly/impulsively when emotional; or (2) urgency reflects a general reflexive responsivity to emotions that can lead either to rash action or ill-advised inaction, and thus to either impulsive behavior or depression. Following prior findings that 5thgrade urgency predicted 6thgrade impulsive behavior, we tested whether urgency also predicted 6thgrade depression (n = 1,906). After controlling for sex, early pubertal onset, 5thgrade depression, 5thgrade engagement in addictive behaviors, negative affect, positive affect, and other impulsivity-related traits, 5thgrade urgency level did predict higher levels of depression at the end of 6th grade. This finding is consistent with the view that urgency can lead either to rash action or ill-advised inaction. Urgency may be of transdiagnostic importance, contributing both to internalizing and externalizing dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guller
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Tamika C B
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Zapolski