The Moderated Mediation Relationship Between Trait Impulsivity, Emotional Regulation, ADHD Hyperactivity/Impulsivity, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms in Emerging Adults

Introduction/Objective: The present study explored a moderated mediation model within a cohort of emerging adults, examining the interplay between Trait Impulsivity (TI), Emotional Regulation (ER), and symptoms of ADHD Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (HI) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Methods: Utilizing a convenience sample of 210 emerging adults (men = 49, women = 161; mean age 21.17 years; SD = 2.20 years), the study employed standardized measures to analyze the relationships between TI, HI, ODD, and ER, using Hayes’s macro for SPSS Process model 14. Results: The findings showed that HI mediated the association between TI and ODD and that ER moderated the association between HI and ODD, such that lower levels of ER increased the association. Conclusion: These findings align with the Trait Impulsivity Hypothesis (TIH), extending its application by integrating temperament literature on ADHD. This study contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of impulsivity's role in externalizing disorders, highlighting the importance of ER in this dynamic.