Is irregular time estimation a common factor in smoking behavior and delay discounting?. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henrico Stam, C.; van der Veen, Frederik M.; Franken, Ingmar H.A.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 125(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Smoking -- Alcohol -- Delay discounting -- Time estimation -- BIS/BAS -- Linear mixed-effects model -- Autocorrelation; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: An online study within a sample of undergraduate university students ( N = 495). Faster time estimation was found amongst smokers and heavy alcohol users. Steeper delay discounting was associated with faster time estimation (TE) and smoking. Autocorrelation of TE was similarly related to smoking and delay discounting. Irregular time estimation was associated with addictive behavior. Abstract: Introduction: Smoking is known to be associated with steeper delay discounting which is a widely used measure of externalizing behavior. This study investigates individual aspects of time estimation and the extent to which these are associated with differences in delay discounting and smoking behavior. Methods: The study was conducted as an online experiment in a sample of undergraduate students ( N = 495), including 51 smokers. Participants completed a serial time estimation, delay discounting task (MCQ), BIS/BAS questionnaire, Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence and an alcohol use assessment (QFV). Results: Smoking, heavy drinking and delay discounting were associated with faster estimation of time. Furthermore, smoking and delay discounting were associated with differences in autocorrelation. Fun seeking was associated with smoking and alcohol use, but not with time estimation or delay discounting. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the hypothesis that an acceleration of the internal clock might lead to time over-estimation which could lead towards delayed consequence sensitivity and addiction. The study also found further evidence for the hypothesis that distortions in time estimation (i.e., autocorrelation) may be related to delay discounting and smoking. Smoking and delay discounting were associated with faster estimations of time and differences in autocorrelation.