Published online Sep 22, 2016. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v6.i3.345
Peer-review started: April 20, 2016
First decision: June 20, 2016
Revised: July 12, 2016
Accepted: August 11, 2016
Article in press: August 11, 2016
Published online: September 22, 2016
Processing time: 153 Days and 5.6 Hours
To examine how self-reported and behavioural impulsivity are related in anorexia nervosa (AN).
Twenty-four females with AN and 25 healthy controls (HC) participant in the study. Self-reported impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). The scale yields three second-order factors: Attentional, motor and non-planning. Behavioural impulsivity was investigated with the continuous performance test (CPT), a computer-based task of sustained attention in which numbers are flashed briefly on screen and participants are required to click the mouse when the same number appears consecutively. The rate of commission and omission errors can be used a measure of behavioural imulsivity.
AN participants self-reported increased attentional [AN: 20.67 (3.64), HC: 13.88 (2.91), P = 0.001] and reduced motor impulsivity [AN: 11.55 (2.28), HC: 14.08 (2.78), P = 0.002]. The rate of omission or commission errors on the CPT did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). BIS-11 and CPT measures did not significantly correlate, but attentional impulsivity was related to negative mood states in AN (depression: r = 0.52, P = 0.010, anxiety: r = 0.55, P = 0.006, stress: r = 0.57, P = 0.004).
The discrepancy between self-reported and behavioural impulsivity are discussed in terms of perfectionism in AN. Furthermore, it is suggested that improving negative mood states may resolve this inconsistency in AN.
Core tip: The findings of the study suggest a discrepancy between self-reported and behavioural impulsivity in anorexia nervosa (AN). Although AN patients did not demonstrate differences from healthy controls in behavioural impulsivity, they self-reported reduced motor impulsivity and greater attentional impulsivity. Attentional impulsivity was associated with negative mood states in AN, suggesting that improving these symptoms may improve patients’ perceptions of their attentional impulsivity.