Impulsivity related to consumption and sexual practices among street youth
Substance use and unsafe sex are dangerous behaviors that greatly impact street youths’ health and security. In addition to mental health issues, impulsive personality traits can be a significant risk factor to several of these problem behaviors. The primary objective of this study was to draw a portrait of street youth, and then verify the predictive value of impulsive personality traits on risky behaviors over and above mental health issues. Thirty-one street youth answered the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, which measures five dimensions of impulsivity, and other instruments which measure mental health problems (BSI), alcohol and drug use (ASAN-Alcohol/Drugs) and risky sexual behaviors (RBS). Street youth mention various significant mental health issues, multiple alcohol and drug-related problems, as well as numerous risky sexual behaviors. As for the predictive value of impulsive personality traits, regression analyses show positive Urgency as the best unique predictor of alcohol dependence and negative consequences related to it, while Sensation seeking is not significantly related to any risky behavior. Furthermore, lack of Perseverance is the unique predictor of negative consequences related to drug use, while lack of Premeditation is the only dimension significantly related to the quantity of alcohol consumed. These results show the importance of clinically evaluating and intervening on impulsive personality traits to better prevent risky behavior among street youth.