Impulsivity in men and women: A general population study in the Southwest of Montreal

Impulsivity is considered a major contributor to various antisocial behaviours (Nofziger, 2010) and is present in many mental and personality disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Given that clear sex differences have been observed in such behaviours and disorders (Nofziger, 2010; Struber, et al., 2008), it is of interest to explore whether similar sex differences are observed in impulsivity. This thesis explores sex differences in impulsivity and its sub factors, as well as the potential role of impulsivity in explaining sex differences in antisocial behaviours and affective disorders. Using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, 11a version (BIS-11a; Barratt, 1994), a self report measure of impulsivity, we compared men and women on their total BIS total scores and factor scores, and examined whether sex moderated the association between impulsivity and criminal justice involvement, aggression, substance dependence, depression and mania.The analyses were conducted using data gathered through a large Epidemiological Catchment Area study of mental health in Montreal, Canada. The sample was randomly selected among residents living in the southwest of the city and consisted of 2,419 participants, between the ages of 15 and 69. Each participant was administered a variety of assessment measures including the BIS-11a, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, a self report version of the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and a self-report criminal justice involvement scale. One-way analyses of covariance revealed no sex differences in impulsivity, even after controlling for age and socioeconomic status. In terms of the factors of impulsivity, both careful planning and coping stability were marginally higher in men. Additionally, logistic regression analyses showed that impulsivity was a predictor of criminal justice involvement, aggression and substance dependence but not of depression and mania and that sex was predictive of criminality, self-aggression and substance dependence (both alcohol and drug) in the past twelve months. Sex, however did not moderate the relation between impulsivity and any of the other variables, as was originally anticipated. In conclusion, if men were more prone than women to engage in such behaviours, their propensity is probably due to other factors such as heightened opportunity to engage in antisocial behaviours. Alternatively, the BIS-11a might not measure all components of impulsivity such a sensation seeking trait which may be directly linked to sex differences in antisocial behaviours and affective disorders. Future studies should include additional measures of impulsivity in order to get a clearer picture of the role sex might play in the association between antisocial behaviours, affective disorders and impulsivity as a whole.This large scale epidemiological study is the first to our knowledge in North America to look at sex differences and similarities in the measurement of impulsivity as well as the correlates of the latter. This study will allow us to make inferences about the relation between impulsivity and sex in the general population.

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