Working memory capacity moderates the predictive effects of drug-related associations on substance use.

Abstract

Some theories suggest that spontaneously activated, drug-related associations in memory may have a “freer reign” in predicting drug use among individuals with lower working memory capacity. This study evaluated this hypothesis among 145 at-risk youth attending continuation high schools (CHS). This is the first study to evaluate this type of dual-process interaction in the prediction of drug use among a sample of at-risk adolescents. The CHS students completed assessments of drug-related memory associations, working memory capacity, and drug use. Control variables included age, gender, ethnicity, and acculturation. Robust multiple regression using least trimmed squares estimation indicated that there was a significant linear by linear interaction between working memory capacity as assessed with the self-ordered pointing task (SOPT) and drug-related associations (assessed with verb generation and cue-behavior association tasks) in the prediction of alcohol and cigarette use. Consistent with dual-process cognitive theories, drug-related associations in memory predicted drug use more strongly in students with lower levels of working memory capacity. These findings add to the literature implicating the influence of dual cognitive processes in adolescent risk behaviors.

Prospective Relationships Between Sleep Problems and Substance Use, Internalizing and Externalizing Problems

“…Studies have also shown that when executive functions are weak, impulsive processes predict behaviour. When executive functions were strong, reflective processes predict behaviour (e.g., Thush et al 2008;Grenard et al 2008).…”

Explicit- and Implicit Bullying Attitudes in Relation to Bullying Behavior

“…The interaction of implicit-and explicit attitudes and their underlying processes has recently attracted attention (see also Grenard et al 2008;Thush et al 2008) in the prediction of a variety of behaviors including aggression (Schröder-Abé et al 2007a, b). For example, in a study on interracial interactions it was found that for low levels of inhibition, implicit racial attitudes predicted interracial interactions and for high levels of inhibition, explicit racial attitudes predicted these interactions (e.g., the competitiveness of the confederate reported by the participants, and the talkativeness of the participant; Hofmann et al 2008).…”

Role of Working Memory Updating and Working Memory Capacity in Moderating the Relationship between Impulsivity with Propensity of Risk Taking Behaviors and Decision Making in Boy Adolescents

“…Further, individuals with high social deviation and low short-term memory capacity than the individuals with high social deviation and high short-term memory capacity have reported higher scores in Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Grenard et al (2008) in their study reported that associations related to drug among adolescents exposed to low working memory capacity compared to individuals with high working memory capacity are stronger forecasts for alcohol and cigarette abuse. Ellingson et al (2004) obtained the same results with the findings of research by Finn & Hall (2004).…”

“…Indeed, this group is more likely subjected to risk. Grenard, Ames, Wiers, Thush, Sussman& Stacy (2008) in another study concluded that associations to drugs in memory forecast drug use in a stronger way in students with lower levels of working memory capacity. Hofmann, Gschwendner, Friese, Wiers & Schmitt (2008) in their study found that impulsive processes determining behavior are more prevailed in the individuals who lack the required working memory capacity.…”