(PS10-C52) Latent Emotional Impulsivity and Inhibitory Control Among a Transdiagnostic Sample of Youth

Emotion-related impulsivity and inhibitory control have been shown to correlate with psychopathology (Gray et al., 2018, Bari & Robbins, 2013). Emotional impulsivity is the tendency to respond rashly to emotions (Cyder et al., 2007) and inhibitory control is the capacity to inhibit a reactive response to engage goal-driven behavior (Miyake et al., 2000). Prior research suggests that poor response inhibition is one facet of high emotional impulsivity (Pearlstein et al., 2022). In the present study, we investigated the relationship between emotional impulsivity and inhibitory control in youth with psychopathology. We estimated an emotional impulsivity factor from existing questionnaires and related it to performance on a set of cognitive control tasks, hypothesizing that higher emotional impulsivity would predict worse inhibitory control.

               The transdiagnostic sample comprised 275 participants ages 8-17 with ADHD, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, anxiety disorders, or irritability symptoms and healthy volunteers (M age=12.7 [SD=2.7]; 53.1% female). Questionnaires administered to families were examined for items showing face validity for emotional impulsivity. Four items of the parent-report Affective Reactivity Index querying irritability, and 10 items of the parent-report Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale querying emotion and behavior dysregulation, were identified. A one-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was fit to the data to estimate an overarching emotional impulsivity factor. Model fit was assessed using the comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). In previous work from our research group, a CFA with excellent fit was used to establish an inhibitory control factor using performance data on four cognitive control tasks. A linear regression tested the relationship between emotional impulsivity and inhibitory control factor scores.

               Model fit statistics for the emotional impulsivity CFA indicated an acceptable fit (CFI=0.986, TLI=0.984, RMSEA=0.103). All 14 items loaded significantly on the latent emotional impulsivity factor in the hypothesized directions. Items with the highest factor loadings were related to losing temper and irritability. The item with the lowest factor loading (0.484) was ‘cries often and easily.’ The linear regression indicated that emotional impulsivity factor scores significantly predicted inhibitory control factor scores (p< .001). Notably however, the R-squared value (0.042) was small, indicating a small amount of variance explained.

Results of the CFA were consistent with our hypothesis of convergence of the 14 items on an overarching emotional impulsivity factor. Results also supported our hypothesis that higher emotional impulsivity would significantly predict worse inhibitory control, although the variance explained was small. Future work will aim to refine the model of emotional impulsivity, including expanding beyond a single factor and to specific emotion or diagnostic categories. Current findings may enhance our understanding of neurocognitive processes underlying the links between emotional impulsivity and inhibitory control.