High risk for high reward? Latent profiles of impulsivity and reward sensitivity in relation to alcohol use outcomes among college students

Impulsivity and reward sensitivity are risk factors linked to heightened alcohol use and related consequences. However, scant research has explored the influence of impulsivity and reward sensitivity on alcohol-related outcomes. The current study used latent profile analysis to determine (1) whether there were profiles of impulsivity and reward sensitivity and (2) if these profiles were characterized by alcohol use outcomes. Participants were 291 college students who completed a 40-min online survey that assessed impulsivity, reward sensitivity, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences. A 5-profile solution best fit the data: (1) lowest positive/negative urgency; lowest sensation seeking/premeditation, moderate perseverance, and low reward sensitivity (33.5 %), (2) highest positive/negative urgency, sensation seeking, and reward sensitivity, and low premeditation, and lowest perseverance (7.3 %), (3) moderate positive/negative urgency and sensation seeking, low premeditation and perseverance, and high reward sensitivity (17.8 %), (4) high positive/negative urgency, sensation seeking, perseverance, highest premeditation, and moderate reward sensitivity (6.9 %), and (5) low positive/negative urgency and sensation seeking, highest perseverance, high premeditation, and lowest reward sensitivity (34.7 %). Class 4 posed high risk for alcohol use. There was less variability in the number of consequences experienced. Findings suggested that different profiles of impulsivity and reward sensitivity were supported, and that specific profiles may pose risk for alcohol engagement.