The traditional approach to research and diagnosis in psychiatry has been to focus on one specific diagnostic criterium at a time (DSM-5). Recent criticism suggests a transdiagnostic method that...Show moreThe traditional approach to research and diagnosis in psychiatry has been to focus on one specific diagnostic criterium at a time (DSM-5). Recent criticism suggests a transdiagnostic method that focuses more on underlying behavioral and cognitive traits to predict vulnerability to disorders such as OCD, ADHD, and eating disorders. Among these traits are impulsivity and compulsivity. According to the traditional model, impulsivity and compulsivity exist as a spectrum that is thought to be influenced by reward and avoidance sensitivity. In addition, this work proposes the use of the Metacontrol State Model (Hommel, 2015) in order to explore the Impulsivity-Compulsivity spectrum at the hand of flexibility and persistence. This study aims to explore to what extent reward-avoidance sensitivity and flexibility-persistence can account for Impulsivity-Compulsivity. 41 participants partook in this study that measured Impulsivity-Compulsivity using the S-UPPS, flexibility-persistence using the Stroop task and the AUT, and reward-avoidance sensitivity as per the MID. A multiple linear regression analysis found that trait biases towards the Metacontrol states flexibility-persistence positively predicted the Impulsivity-Compulsivity spectrum. Additionally, reward sensitivity negatively predicted impulsivity, the opposite of what was theorized. This relationship is explored with the help of more recent research, which suggests that the traditional model of reward-avoidance sensitivity oversimplifies Impulsivity-Compulsivity. However, results were found to be inconsistent. Thus, this work suggests that the relationship between reward-avoidance sensitivity and the Impulsivity-Compulsivity spectrum is further explored. In addition, this work provides preliminary evidence in favor of the Metacontrol State Model as a transdiagnostic tool.Show less
