Rapid-Response Impulsivity Predicts Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology at 1-Year Follow-Up in Blast-Exposed Service Members.
James M Bjork, Thomas K Burroughs, Laura M Franke and 4 others
PMID 28438513WHAT IT FOUND
In blast-exposed service members and veterans, more impulsive errors on a letter response task at baseline predicted higher depression and PTSD symptoms one year later, even after earlier symptom scores were considered.
Alcohol use was not predicted.
Key findings
01Higher baseline impulsive error rates predicted higher PTSD and depression scores at 12-month follow-up.
02The baseline impulsivity measure accounted for roughly 5% of variance in follow-up depression and PTSD scores.
03Baseline impulsive error rates did not predict change in alcohol use at follow-up.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study did not measure impulsivity before deployment, so higher errors cannot be attributed to blast exposure. Time since the most recent blast varied widely, and most initial assessments were months after the blast. The analyzed sample was 84, but 37 other enrolled participants were excluded or unreachable; those lost showed trends for younger age and greater depression scores. The alcohol measure was not detailed, and illicit substance use was not measured. Rapid-response impulsivity accounted for roughly 5% of variance in follow-up depression and PTSD scores. Psychiatric outcomes relied on self-report questionnaires. Participants were not purposefully seeking or referred for mental health treatment.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this behavioral measure of impulsivity has front line clinical utility. The study did not measure impulsivity before deployment, and the measure accounted for roughly 5% of variance in follow-up depression and PTSD scores.