The Effect of Impulsivity on Addition and Addictive Tendencies: A Meta-analysis

Background: Immature behaviors, including impulsivity and lack of control lead to personal and social pathologies, such as addiction. Methods: This meta-analysis study aimed to evaluate the effect of impulsivity on addition and addictive tendencies. This comprehensive interdisciplinary quantitative meta-analysis integrated the research findings regarding the effect of impulsivity on addictionandaddictive tendencies basedonsecondary data. Achecklistwasdeveloped for collecting data basedonthe article title, author specifications, publication year, setting, research type, hypothesis, data collection instrument, statistical population, sample size, significance level, and probability value to avoid bias in the study selection protocol. Results: The results of studies were divided into nine databases to calculate the effect size, and finally, ۱۱ studies were analyzed. The descriptive data analysis and effect size calculation were performed in the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (CMA) version ۲.۰. Based on the fixed-effects model, ۰.۱۵۳ of the studies contributed significantly to the actual fixed effect sizes. The difference in effect sizes was due to sampling error. The random-effects model (۰.۲۰۲) suggested the independence of the studies (P < ۰.۰۰۱) with moderate robustness. Conclusions: According to the results, the behavioral construct of impulsivity significantly and positively affected addictive behaviorsandtendencies. Therefore, the mediating effect of impulsivity, promoteresilience, andtrain protective strategies for individuals prone to addiction should be controlled to improve mental health quality and develop social, communication, and life skills.

Keywords:

Behavior , Addictive , Impulsive Behavior , Meta-analysis