However, there are several reasons why the small effect sizes may not represent a significant limitation. First, each effect was controlled for several predictors of potential interest. For example, positive urgency predicted increased drinking problems above and beyond effects from initial drinking problems, initial drinking quantity, initial drinking frequency, scores on four other traits to dispose individuals to rash action, and biological sex. The rigorous controls employed make this test of the roles of positive urgency and sensation seeking especially stringent; there is good reason to believe their effects are stable.
