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Delayed reward discounting and addictive behavior: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Rationale

Delayed reward discounting (DRD) is a behavioral economic index of impulsivity and numerous studies have examined DRD in relation to addictive behavior. To synthesize the findings across the literature, the current review is a meta-analysis of studies comparing DRD between criterion groups exhibiting addictive behavior and control groups.

Objectives

The meta-analysis sought to characterize the overall patterns of findings, systematic variability by sample and study type, and possible small study (publication) bias.

Methods

Literature reviews identified 310 candidate articles from which 46 studies reporting 64 comparisons were identified (total N = 56,013).

Results

From the total comparisons identified, a small magnitude effect was evident (d = .15; p < .00001) with very high heterogeneity of effect size. Based on systematic observed differences, large studies assessing DRD with a small number of self-report items were removed and an analysis of 57 comparisons (n = 3,329) using equivalent methods and exhibiting acceptable heterogeneity revealed a medium magnitude effect (d = .58; p < .00001). Further analyses revealed significantly larger effect sizes for studies using clinical samples (d = .61) compared with studies using nonclinical samples (d = .45). Indices of small study bias among the various comparisons suggested varying levels of influence by unpublished findings, ranging from minimal to moderate.

Conclusions

These results provide strong evidence of greater DRD in individuals exhibiting addictive behavior in general and particularly in individuals who meet criteria for an addictive disorder. Implications for the assessment of DRD and research priorities are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA 016936 [JM]), National Institute on Drug Abuse (P30 DA027827 [JM]), UK Economic and Social Research Council (MRM), the British Heart Foundation (MRM), Cancer Research UK (MRM), the UK Department of Health and the Medical Research Council (MRM). The authors would like to thank the following individuals for providing data: Matt Field, DPhil; Nancy Petry, Ph.D.; Stian Reimers, Ph.D.; Brady Reynolds, Ph.D., and Shane Melanko. In addition, the authors are grateful to Shannen Malutinok, MSW, MPH for editorial assistance. The authors are solely responsible for this work and have no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    James MacKillop, Michael T. Amlung & Lauren R. Few

  2. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Lara A. Ray

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Lawrence H. Sweet

  4. School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Marcus R. Munafò

  5. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    James MacKillop

Authors
  1. James MacKillop
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  2. Michael T. Amlung
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  3. Lauren R. Few
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  4. Lara A. Ray
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  5. Lawrence H. Sweet
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  6. Marcus R. Munafò
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Correspondence to James MacKillop.

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MacKillop, J., Amlung, M.T., Few, L.R. et al. Delayed reward discounting and addictive behavior: a meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology 216, 305–321 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2229-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2229-0

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