Impulsivity: A Transdiagnostic Approach to Understanding Adolescent Substance Use

Abstract

Background: Impulsivity, characterized by the tendency to act on impulse without consideration for consequences, has been implicated in health disorders such as problematic substance use among adolescents. Understanding impulsivity's nature, clinical manifestations, quantification, and management in a clinical context could help address underlying disorders. Methods: We reviewed previous studies where different impulsivity dimensions were identified and explored the manifestations of impulsivity across conditions characterized by high impulsivity. Similarly, we pursued a literature search on various factors influencing impulsivity, methods employed to quantify them, and commonly used treatments for impulsivity control. Results: The multidimensional and transdiagnostic nature of impulsivity was acknowledged across several studies. Various health disorders such as substance use disorders, borderline personality disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder implicated impulsivity, even among the adolescent groups. We identified biological, psychological, and environmental factors influencing impulsivity. We also present the commonly employed approaches to quantifying impulsivity and new measurement approaches under active investigation that are relevant in characterizing impulsivity in adolescents. Treatment options to manage impulsivity were also reviewed and are presented in this work. Conclusion: This work offers a comprehensive understanding of impulsivity as one of the underlying factors in adolescent substance use and related health disorders, emphasizing factors affecting impulsivity, approaches for measurement, and implications of high impulsivity on mental health and behaviors.