On the Predictive Role of Personality Traits, Cognitive Strategies of Emotion Regulation, Attachment Styles, and Brain-Behavioral Systems in Active & Non-Active Addiction and Impulsiveness Potential

This study aimed at determining personality traits, cognitive strategies of emotion regulation, attachment styles, and brain-behavioral systems as predictors of impulsiveness, active and non-active addiction potential among university students.
All the male students of Azad University of Ahwaz in the academic year 2013-2014 constituted the statistical population of this study. The number of 360 students was selected from this population as the sample of the study via simple random sampling method. The participants filled out Addiction Potential Scale, Barrett Impulsiveness Scale, NEO-Five Factor Inventory, Hazan & Shaver's Attachment Scale, Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System (BIS/BAS) scale, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Pearson and Canonical correlation coefficients were used for data analysis.
The results of canonical correlation analysis indicated that the strongest relationship with the first Canonical dimension existed between impulsiveness from the first set of variables (dependent) and Behavioral Activation System from the second set of variables (independent).
People with a higher Behavioral Activation System have also a higher level of impulsivity. This is of vital importance in the treatment and prevention cases.