The Delay Discounting and Aggression of Patients with Alcohol-Fuelled Violence

Abstract

To determine the factors that differentiate between the violent alcoholic group and non-violent alcoholic group, impulsivity and aggression are examined. In measuring impulsivity, delay discounting—referring to the devaluation of future outcomes— is believed to explain the behavioral tendencies of aggressive alcoholics. Participants consisted of 82 male inpatients in an alcohol abuse clinic, as well as 30 male non-patients as control subjects. To examine the relationship between alcoholism, aggression, and impulsivity, Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS), Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), and delay discounting task were used. The study’s results showed that BIS can be sensitive in differentiating the ‘trait’ aspect of impulsivity between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. However, the delay discounting task showed an effectiveness in the differentiation of the ‘behavioral’ aspect of impulsivity, and in this case, the distinction between those who display alcohol-fuelled violence and those who do not. More specifically, the rate of discounting was higher for the violent alcoholic group than the non-violent alcoholic group, suggesting that a further study examining the behavioral aspect of impulsivity could lead to a better understanding and treatment of those who display a more aggressive tendency while under the influence of alcohol.