A-150: Sex Differences in Associations Between Trait Impulsivity and Inhibitory Control in Adolescence
Abstract
Objective: Impulsive behaviors change during adolescence with the development of inhibitory control. Higher impulsivity is generally associated with poorer inhibition performance with higher impulsivity levels in male than female youth. Here, we investigated sex differences in the impact of impulsivity traits on inhibitory control. Method/Data Selection: Cross-sectional data of the Stop-signal-task (SST) and the abbreviated UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale were utilized from 4,029 adolescents aged 16 years (SD=0.66) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study at the 6-year follow-up assessment. The SST evaluates competition between go and stop processes via response speed (go-RT), failed inhibition (failed stop-RT), and response variability (go-SD). Linear regression models examined self-reported UPPS dimensions of sensation seeking, lack of perseverance, positive and negative urgency, and lack of planning as predictors for SST metrics, including sex and race, and sex interactions. Results/Data Synthesis: Response speed differed by sex with slower go-RTs in female than male youth (p<.001). For response consistency, female sex, lack of perseverance (p=.018), and positive urgency (p<.001) predicted higher variability (go-SD), specifically in girls with higher positive urgency scores (interaction p=.018). For inhibitory control, female sex (p<.0001), lack of perseverance (p=.035) and sensation seeking (p=.007) predicted faster incorrect stop-RTs, specifically in girls with higher sensation seeking scores (interaction p=.016). Conclusions: Subjective impulsivity traits map onto objective measures of behavioral control. At age 16, girls exhibited poorer inhibitory control that was influenced by positive urgency and sensation seeking traits. These findings challenge the common belief that women have better control and suggest the need for a developmental perspective on sex differences in impulsivity and self-control.