A cross-sectional case-control evaluation of Behavioural Activation and Inhibition (BIS/BAS) among offspring (13-25 years) of alcohol-dependent fathers

Abstract Children of alcohol-dependent parents are considered a vulnerable population with increased risk for emotional, behavioural, and substance-related problems. Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioural Activation System (BAS) are important neuropsychological domains associated with reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and behavioural regulation while AUDIT score indicates risk of alcohol use. Only limited Indian studies have covered BIS/BAS and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) profiles among offspring of alcohol-dependent fathers. To compare BIS/ BAS and AUDIT scores between offspring of alcohol-dependent fathers and offspring of non-alcohol-dependent fathers and to assess age-wise and gender-wise variations in these behavioural domains. This hospital-based cross-sectional case-control study was conducted among 68 participants aged 13-25 years. Thirty-three participants belonged to the high-risk group (offspring of alcohol-dependent fathers) and thirty-five participants belonged to the low-risk group. Behavioural inhibition and activation were assessed using the BIS/BAS scale developed by Carver and White. Alcohol use severity was assessed using the AUDIT score. Since data was not normally distributed, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were used for analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between high-risk and low-risk groups with respect to BIS, BAS drive, BAS fun seeking, BAS reward responsiveness, and AUDIT scores (p>0.05). Adolescents aged 13-18 years demonstrated significantly higher BAS fun seeking scores compared to young adults aged 19-25 years. Females showed significantly higher BAS reward responsiveness scores than males (p=0.010). The present study did not demonstrate significant differences in BIS/BAS profiles between offspring of alcohol-dependent fathers and controls. However, developmental and gender-related variations were observed in behavioural activation domains. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better understand behavioural vulnerability markers among high-risk offspring populations. Keywords: Alcohol dependence, BIS/ BAS, behavioural inhibition, behavioural activation, offspring, adolescents, reward sensitivity