The relationship between executive functioning and addictive behavior: new insights from a longitudinal community study

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Abstract

Rationale: Although there is evidence that impaired executive functioning plays a role in addictive behavior, the longitudinal relationship between the two remains relatively unknown. Objectives: In a prospective-longitudinal community study, we tested the hypothesis that lower executive functioning is associated with more addictive behavior at one point in time and over time. Methods: Three hundred and thirty-eight individuals (19–27 years, 59% female) from a random community sample were recruited into three groups: addictive disorders related to substances (n = 100) or to behaviors (n = 118), or healthy controls (n = 120). At baseline, participants completed nine executive function tasks from which a latent variable of general executive functioning (GEF) was derived. Addictive behavior (i.e., quantity and frequency of use, and number of DSM-5 criteria met) were assessed using standardized clinical interviews at baseline and three annual follow-ups. The trajectories of addictive behaviors were examined using latent growth curve modeling. Results: At baseline, we found weak to no evidence of an associations between GEF and addictive behavior. We found evidence for an association between a lower GEF at baseline and a higher increase in the quantity of use and a smaller decrease in frequency of use over time, but no evidence for an association with an increase in the number of DSM-5 criteria met. Conclusions: Lower EFs appear to lead to a continuing loss of control over use, whereas addictive disorders may develop secondarily after a long period of risky use. Previous etiological models assuming lower EF as a direct vulnerability factor for addictive disorders need to be refined.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3507-3524
Number of pages18
JournalPsychopharmacology
Volume239
Issue number11
Early online date3 Oct 2022
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85139267340
PubMed 36190537
Mendeley f1c8c122-2bc3-3952-8efc-06d45f43bbd9
unpaywall 10.1007/s00213-022-06224-3
ORCID /0000-0001-5398-5569/work/150329464

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

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Keywords

  • Behavioral addictions, Cognitive control, Executive functions, Self-control, Substance use disorders

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