ADHD AND AFFECTIVITY MODULATE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT SENSITIVITY AND ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE
Rádosi Alexandra
Mental Health Sciences
Dr. Bagdy György
MTA TTK földszinti kis előadóterem
2025-02-03 12:00:00
Psychiatry
Dr. Réthelyi János
Dr. Bunford Nóra
Dr. Farkas Kinga
Dr. Matuszka Balázs
Dr. Purebl György
Dr. Pénzes Melinda
Dr. Király Orsolya
Introduction: Adolescent substance use has both short- and long-term consequences underscoring the importance of identifying relevant targets for improving interventions. Reinforcement sensitivity is one such target. Yet, gaps in knowledge remain about specifics of the association between reinforcement sensitivity and adolescent substance use, particularly regarding mechanisms and modulators.
Objectives: The overarching aim of this dissertation is to examine the boundary conditions and mechanisms of the relation between reinforcement sensitivity and adolescent substance use.
Methods: 14–17-year-old adolescents were involved in the Budapest Longitudinal Study of ADHD and Externalizing Disorders. Neural (i.e., the Doors task via fMRI) and self-reported (i.e., RSTPQ) indices of reinforcement sensitivity, self-reported indices of affectivity, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and substance use were used in addition to parent-report measures of externalizing symptoms. Associations between variables were evaluated by conducting bivariate and partial bivariate correlations, Fisher’s r to z transformations, as well as via mediational and moderational analyses.
Results: The BAS-cannabis use and the BAS-nicotine use associations were mediated by PA, the BIS-alcohol use/alcohol problems by NA, and the BAS/BIS-nicotine use by both PA and NA, respectively, with effects in a different direction. The association of SFG response to gain with depressive problems differed across groups such that in youth at-risk for ADHD, greater SFG response to gain was linked to lower depressive problems. Controlling for baseline hazardous alcohol use, the association of PU response to gain with 18-month hazardous alcohol use differed across groups such that in youth at-risk for ADHD, greater PU response to gain was associated with greater 18-month hazardous alcohol use, whereas in youth not at-risk for ADHD, greater PU response to gain was linked to lower 18-month hazardous alcohol use.
Conclusions: Affectivity and ADHD risk play a mediating and modulating role, respectively, between predictors and outcomes. In the context of differences in reinforcement sensitivity, affectivity and ADHD show promise in explaining the heterogeneity of adolescent substance use outcomes. Reinforcement sensitivity and affectivity may be relevant targets for personalized intervention targeting adolescent substance use.
