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Emery NN, Walters KJ, Sung A, Douglass MA, Baumgardner S, Mataczynski MJ. Characterizing the dimensions of positive emotion functioning in young adult alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Addict Behav 2024; 151:107950. [PMID: 38154404 PMCID: PMC11265522 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Emotional functioning figures prominently in most contemporary models of alcohol use (Kassel & Veilleux, 2010). These models posit that alcohol use becomes reinforced due to its ability to regulate a person's affect (Sher & Grekin, 2007). A growing body of literature suggests that for youth, positive reinforcement (i.e., using alcohol to enhance positive feelings or to increase their duration) is a leading mechanism facilitating increased use (Emery & Simons 2020; Howard et al., 2015). However, few, if any, studies have examined the unique associations between multiple indicators of positive emotional functioning and alcohol use as well as alcohol-related problems. We aimed to fill this gap by using secondary data from large college student sample (N = 402) to characterize the unique associations between trait indicators of positive emotional functioning (i.e., positive affect, anhedonia, savoring, positive emotion dysregulation) and alcohol use as well as alcohol-related problems. Results indicated trait positive emotion dysregulation (difficulty managing intense positive emotions) was positively related to both alcohol consumption (IRR = 1.03, p =.019) and alcohol-related problems (IRR = 1.03, p =.001). Interestingly, trait savoring (i.e., ability to increase the intensity/duration of positive emotions) was positively related to alcohol consumption (IRR = 1.18, p =.049) and inversely related to problems (IRR = 0.86, p =.019). None of the other positive emotion indicators were significantly associated with either alcohol use or problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah N Emery
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
| | - Kyle J Walters
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas, St. Ste. 601, MSC 617 Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Angelina Sung
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Morgan A Douglass
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Susi Baumgardner
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Maggie J Mataczynski
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
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Whiteford S, Quigley M, Dighton G, Wood K, Kitchiner N, Armour C, Dymond S. Anxiety, distress tolerance, and the relationship between complex posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and alcohol use in veterans. J Clin Psychol 2024; 80:158-169. [PMID: 37860949 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Little is known about whether distress tolerance and anxiety mediate the relationship between comorbid complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and alcohol use among military veterans. Here, we investigated the contribution of distress tolerance and anxiety on the strength of the CPTSD and alcohol use association. We hypothesized that the impact of a two-factor model of CPTSD derived from subscale scores on the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ)-namely ITQ PTSD and ITQ Disturbances in Self Organization (DSO; e.g., issues with affective regulation/self-belief and shame)-on alcohol use severity would be mediated by anxiety but not by distress tolerance. METHODS Participants included 403 community-dwelling United Kingdom (UK) veterans (91.64% male, Mage = 51.15 years, SD = 12.48) recruited as part of a larger, online study. RESULTS Findings indicated that the influence of CPTSD symptoms on alcohol use severity was mediated by anxiety, not by distress tolerance, with greater relative impact due to ITQ DSO status than ITQ PTSD status. CONCLUSIONS We identified the mediational influence of anxiety and distress tolerance on the association between CPTSD subscales and alcohol use in UK veterans. Interventions for anxiety may be adapted for reducing problematic alcohol use and the impact of CPTSD symptoms in veterans with comorbid PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seb Whiteford
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Glen Dighton
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Katie Wood
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Neil Kitchiner
- Veterans NHS Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cherie Armour
- Research Centre for Stress Trauma and Related Conditions (STARC), School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Simon Dymond
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Weiss NH, Goncharenko S, Forkus SR, Ferguson JJ, Yang M. Longitudinal Investigation of Bidirectional Relations Between Childhood Trauma and Emotion-Driven Impulsivity in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. J Adolesc Health 2023; 73:731-738. [PMID: 37410001 PMCID: PMC10529354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with numerous adverse mental health consequences. Addressing important gaps in the existing research, the proposed study clarifies the longitudinal and bidirectional associations between childhood trauma and both negative and positive emotion-driven impulsivity. METHOD This study utilized a sample of 11,872 9- to 10-years-olds recruited from 21 research sites across the United States from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Ddevelopment (ABCD) Study. Childhood trauma was assessed at one- and two-year follow-ups. Negative and positive urgency were assessed at baseline and two-year follow-up. Cross-lagged panel models evaluated the longitudinal and bidirectional associations between childhood trauma and both negative and positive emotion-driven impulsivity. RESULTS Findings showed that earlier childhood trauma was associated with higher levels of later negative (β = 0.133, p < .001) and positive (β = 0.125, p < .001) emotion-driven impulsivity. Further, higher levels of earlier positive (β = 0.033, p < .006), but not negative (β = 0.010, p = .405), emotion-driven impulsivity were associated with later childhood trauma. Finally, the strength of the relations between childhood trauma and emotion-driven impulsivity did not differ by sex (ΔX2 = 10.228, p > .05). DISCUSSION Identification of both negative and positive emotion-driven impulsivity among children exposed to trauma may serve as a point of intervention to reduce subsequent risk for deleterious health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole H Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.
| | | | - Shannon R Forkus
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island; Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Jewelia J Ferguson
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Manshu Yang
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
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Compton SE, Slavish DC, Weiss NH, Bowen HJ, Contractor AA. Associations between positive memory count and hazardous substance use in a trauma-exposed sample: Examining the moderating role of emotion dysregulation. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:1480-1508. [PMID: 36861379 PMCID: PMC10182872 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Research has demonstrated links between autobiographical memory retrieval and hazardous substance use. However, limited work has examined relations between positive autobiographical memories and hazardous substance use, as well as moderating factors influencing these relations. Thus, we examined the potential moderating roles of negative and positive emotion dysregulation in the relations between count of retrieved positive memories and hazardous substance use (alcohol and drug use separately). METHODS Participants were 333 trauma-exposed students (Mage = 21.05; 85.9% women) who completed self-report measures assessing positive memory count, hazardous alcohol and drug use, negative emotion dysregulation, and positive emotion dysregulation. RESULTS Positive emotion dysregulation significantly moderated the association between positive memory count and hazardous alcohol use (b = 0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.01, 0.06], p = 0.019), as well as the association between positive memory count and hazardous drug use (b = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03], p = 0.002). Individuals with more positive emotion dysregulation had stronger associations between increases in positive memory count and increased hazardous substance use. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that trauma-exposed individuals who retrieve more positive memories and experience difficulties regulating positive emotions report greater hazardous substance use. Positive emotion dysregulation may be an important target for memory-based interventions among trauma-exposed individuals who report hazardous substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danica C. Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Holly J. Bowen
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Weiss NH, Schick MR, Raudales AM, Forkus SR, Thomas ED, Contractor AA, Sullivan TP. Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Positive Emotion Dysregulation on Risky Behavior Following Idiographic Emotion Inductions. Clin Psychol Sci 2023; 11:490-508. [PMID: 37576546 PMCID: PMC10420898 DOI: 10.1177/21677026221133295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
An experimental paradigm with subjective and objective assessments was used to further explicate the role of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior. Participants were 151 community women currently experiencing intimate partner violence and using substances (Mage = 40.81, 43.0% white). Participants were randomly assigned to positive, negative, and neutral idiographic emotion inductions. Subjective (state self-report) and objective (high frequency heart rate variability [hfHRV], skin conductance response, and salivary cortisol) markers of emotion dysregulation were assessed, following which participants completed subjective (state urges for substances) and objective (Balloon Analogue Risk Task) measures of risky behavior. Results showed (a) greater self-reported state emotion dysregulation and lower hfHRV predicted more urges for substances in the positive (versus negative and neutral) emotion induction conditions; and (b) lower hfHRV predicted more behavioral risk-taking propensity in the positive (versus neutral) emotion induction condition. Findings provide additional support for the influence of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa R. Schick
- University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Weiss NH, Brick LA, Forkus SR, Goldstein SC, Thomas ED, Schick MR, Barnett NP, Contractor AA, Sullivan TP. Modeling reciprocal relations between emotion dysregulation and alcohol use using dynamic structural equation modeling: A micro-longitudinal study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1460-1471. [PMID: 35676805 PMCID: PMC11100457 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research examining emotion dysregulation and alcohol use has increased exponentially over the past decade. However, these studies have been limited by their use of cross-sectional designs and narrow definitions of emotion dysregulation. To address these significant gaps in the extant literature, this study utilized state-of-the-art methodology (i.e., experience sampling) and statistics (i.e., dynamic structural equation modeling) to examine potential reciprocal associations between negative and positive emotion dysregulation and alcohol use at the momentary level. METHODS Participants were 145 community women (mean age = 40.56, 40.3% white) experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and using substances. Surveys assessing negative and positive emotion dysregulation and alcohol use (i.e., number of standard drinks) were administered three times a day for 30 days using phone-based interactive voice recording. RESULTS Significant contemporaneous effects indicated that negative and positive emotion dysregulation both co-occurred with alcohol use. However, levels of negative and positive emotion dysregulation did not predict later alcohol use, nor did alcohol use predict later levels of negative or positive emotion dysregulation. There was significant variability among participants in cross-lagged effects. CONCLUSIONS Findings showed that negative and positive emotion dysregulation co-occurred with alcohol use and that there was significant interindividual variability in the cross-lagged associations between negative and positive emotion dysregulation and alcohol use. Research using idiographic approaches may identify women experiencing IPV for whom negative and positive emotion dysregulation drive alcohol use and alcohol use drives negative and positive emotion dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Melissa R. Schick
- University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Hoffman SN, Lyons RC, Stein MB, Taylor CT, Norman SB. Changes in positive and negative affect following prolonged exposure for PTSD comorbid with alcohol use disorder: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Behav Res Ther 2022; 155:104097. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Weiss NH, Schick MR, Contractor AA, Goncharenko S, Raudales AM, Forkus SR. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity modulates avoidance of positive emotions among trauma-exposed military veterans in the community. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA : THEORY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY 2022; 14:446-452. [PMID: 34197172 PMCID: PMC8720112 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Theoretical and empirical evidence links emotional avoidance to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, few studies have tested whether these findings extend to positive emotional avoidance. Addressing this important gap in the literature, the current study examined the moderating role of PTSD symptom severity in the relation between positive emotional intensity and positive emotional avoidance. METHOD Participants were 465 trauma-exposed veterans recruited from the community (Mage = 38.00, 71.6% male, 69.5% White). RESULTS The interaction between positive emotional intensity and PTSD symptom severity on positive emotional avoidance was significant. Analysis of simple slopes revealed that positive emotional intensity was significantly positively associated with positive emotional avoidance when participants endorsed high, but not low, levels of PTSD symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS Veterans with more severe PTSD symptoms may utilize avoidance strategies in the context of intense positive emotions. These findings may suggest the potential need for addressing positive emotional avoidance in interventions to reduce PTSD symptom severity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Suazo NC, Reyes ME, Contractor AA, Thomas ED, Weiss NH. Exploring the moderating role of gender in the relation between emotional expressivity and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity among Black trauma-exposed college students at a historically Black university. J Clin Psychol 2022; 78:343-356. [PMID: 34320220 PMCID: PMC8795200 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized in part by negative alterations of cognition or mood, including alterations in emotional expressivity, or the extent to which one outwardly displays emotions. Yet, research in this area has relied on predominantly white samples and neglected to consider the potential role of gender, despite there being demonstrated gender differences in both PTSD symptom severity and emotional expressivity, separately. The goal of the current study was to fill a critical gap in the literature by examining the moderating role of gender in the relation between PTSD symptom severity and emotional expressivity in a sample of trauma-exposed Black adults. METHODS Participants were 207 Black individuals enrolled in a historically Black university in the Southern United States (68.6% female; Mage = 22.32 years). RESULTS Findings provided support for the moderating role of gender in the association between PTSD symptom severity and emotional expressivity. Specifically, greater PTSD symptom severity was inversely related to emotional expressivity among trauma-exposed Black males and positively associated with emotional expressivity among trauma-exposed Black females. DISCUSSION These results suggest the potential need for gender-specific assessment and treatment techniques for PTSD symptom severity among trauma-exposed Black college students.
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Weiss NH, Kiefer R, Goncharenko S, Raudales AM, Forkus SR, Schick MR, Contractor AA. Emotion regulation and substance use: A meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 230:109131. [PMID: 34864568 PMCID: PMC8714680 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
There has been exponential growth in research on emotion regulation and substance use in the past decade. The current meta-analysis evaluated variability in the magnitude of the relation between aspects of emotion regulation and substance use. A search of PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, and PILOTS in December 2020 resulted in 6642 initial studies, of which 95 met inclusion criteria (association between emotion regulation and substance use was reported, participants were > 18 years old, article was in English). A total of 445 effects were obtained (N = 156,025 participants; weighted Mage = 29.31; 59.5% female; 66.1% White; 76.6% non-clinical). Emotion regulation and substance use were significantly related (r = 0.19; p < 0.001; 95%CI [0.17, 0.20]). Emotion regulation abilities were generally more strongly related to substance use than emotion regulation strategies; this pattern was stronger for behavioral vs. cognitive abilities and extended to both negative and positive emotions. Relations were stronger for older and clinical samples; mixed effects were found for sex and no conclusive effects were found for race. Despite limitations of the existing literature (e.g., cross-sectional, self-reports), results indicated that the magnitude of the relation between emotion regulation and substance use varied considerably as a function of emotion regulation and substance use constructs and sample characteristics.
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Schick MR, Weiss NH, Contractor AC, Thomas ED, Spillane NS. Positive emotional intensity and substance use: the underlying role of positive emotional avoidance in a community sample of military veterans. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2021; 47:373-382. [PMID: 33524279 PMCID: PMC10909499 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2020.1868488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Military veterans are at greater risk for substance misuse. Positive emotional intensity is one well-established antecedent of substance misuse in this population. Positive emotional avoidance, or attempts to alter the form, frequency, or context of positive emotions, may help to explain this association. While clinical practice typically aims to increase positive emotions, such approaches may have iatrogenic effects, as high-intensity positive emotions may be experienced as distressing and prompt avoidance for some populations. This suggests a need to better understand responses to positive emotions to inform clinical practice.Objectives: The goal of the current study was to advance theory, research, and clinical practice by exploring the role of positive emotional avoidance in the associations between positive emotional intensity and both alcohol and drug misuse. We hypothesized that positive emotional intensity would indirectly influence alcohol and drug misuse through positive emotional avoidance.Methods: Participants were a community sample of United States military veterans recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (n = 535, Mage = 37.45, 71.8% male, 69.5% White).Results: Correlations among positive emotional intensity, positive emotional avoidance, and alcohol and drug misuse were significant and positive (rs range from.13 to.41). Further, positive emotional avoidance was found to account for the relations of positive emotional intensity to alcohol (indirect effect: b =.04, 95%CI [.01,.08]) and drug misuse (indirect effect: b =.01, 95%CI [.01,.02]).Conclusions: Results provide preliminary support for the potential clinical utility of targeting avoidance responses to positive emotions in interventions targeting alcohol and drug misuse among military veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R. Schick
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel D. Thomas
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nichea S. Spillane
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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Alcohol to down-regulate negative and positive emotions: Extending our understanding of the functional role of alcohol in relation to posttraumatic stress disorder. Addict Behav 2021; 115:106777. [PMID: 33359633 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Functional models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) underscore the role of internally-driven negative reinforcement. However, with the focus of these models being on negative emotions broadly, there is limited understanding of the effect of alcohol use to down-regulate specific forms of negative emotions or positive emotions generally. Among populations characterized by PTSD, there is growing evidence that positive emotions may elicit aversive reactions and thus be intentionally reduced, including via alcohol use. OBJECTIVE The current study examined the associations among PTSD symptom severity, alcohol use to down-regulate both negative (i.e., despondency and anger) and positive emotions, and alcohol misuse. METHOD Data were collected from 320 trauma-exposed, substance-using individuals in the community (M age = 35.78, 46.9% women). RESULTS Individuals with greater PTSD symptom severity reported significantly higher alcohol use to down-regulate despondency, anger, and positive emotions, which, in turn, were linked to greater alcohol misuse. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol use may serve to down-regulate both negative (i.e., despondency and anger) and positive emotions, and these functions may help to explain the association of PTSD symptom severity to alcohol misuse. PTSD-AUD models may benefit from specifying a negatively reinforcing function of alcohol use in the context of positive emotions.
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Weiss NH, Schick MR, Waite EE, Haliczer LA, Dixon-Gordon KL. Association of Positive Emotion Dysregulation to Resting Heart Rate Variability: The Influence of Positive Affect Intensity. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021; 173. [PMID: 33518872 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background A fast-growing body of research provides support for the role of positive emotion dysregulation in the etiology and maintenance of a wide range of psychiatric difficulties and clinically relevant behaviors. However, this work has exclusively relied on the subjective assessment of positive emotion dysregulation. Advancing research, the current study examined associations between physiological and subjective indices of positive emotional responding in the laboratory. Specifically, we explored the relation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Positive (Weiss, Gratz, & Lavender, 2015) to resting heart rate variability (HRV) at high and low state positive affect intensity. Methods Participants were 122 individuals recruited from college and community settings (M age = 23.39, 84.4% female, 68.0% White). Results Findings indicated a positive relation between positive emotion dysregulation and resting HRV at high state positive affect and a negative relation between positive emotion dysregulation and resting HRV at low state positive affect. Conclusions Results extend our understanding of the associations among subjective and physiological indices of positive emotional processes. These findings have key implications for the conduct of research on positive emotion dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole H Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Melissa R Schick
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Elinor E Waite
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MS, USA
| | - Lauren A Haliczer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MS, USA
| | - Katherine L Dixon-Gordon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MS, USA
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Lebeaut A, Zegel M, Leonard SJ, Bartlett BA, Vujanovic AA. Examining Transdiagnostic Factors among Firefighters in Relation to Trauma Exposure, Probable PTSD, and Probable Alcohol Use Disorder. J Dual Diagn 2021; 17:52-63. [PMID: 33308060 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2020.1854411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Firefighters represent a distinct group of first responders that are at heightened risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Assessing the role of transdiagnostic factors that underlie PTSD-AUD associations can inform specialized interventions among this population. This study included urban firefighters (N = 657) with probable PTSD-AUD (n = 27), probable PTSD-alone (n = 35), probable AUD-alone (n = 125), and trauma-exposure-only (n = 470). Methods: All firefighters completed a self-report, online questionnaire battery. Between group differences in anxiety sensitivity (AS), distress tolerance (DT), mindfulness, and emotional regulation difficulties (ERD) were assessed. It was hypothesized that firefighters with probable PTSD-AUD would endorse elevated AS and ERD, and reduced DT and mindfulness in comparison to all other diagnostic groups. Relationship status was included as a covariate in all comparisons. Results: Firefighters with probable PTSD-AUD endorsed elevated AS and ERD, and reduced DT and mindfulness in comparison to firefighters with trauma-exposure-only and probable AUD-alone. Firefighters with probable PTSD-AUD and probable PTSD-alone did not significantly differ. Conclusions: Given these findings, this line of inquiry has great potential to inform specialized, evidence-based mental health programming among firefighter populations, who represent a unique population susceptible to trauma-exposure, PTSD symptomology, and problematic alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Lebeaut
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maya Zegel
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samuel J Leonard
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brooke A Bartlett
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Anka A Vujanovic
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Schick MR, Weiss NH, Contractor AC, Thomas ED, Spillane NS. Difficulties Regulating Positive Emotions and Substance Misuse: The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:1173-1183. [PMID: 32078402 PMCID: PMC7180126 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1729205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Alcohol and drug misuse present significant public health concerns due to their high prevalence and deleterious outcomes. A growing body of research provides support for the role of difficulties regulating positive emotions in alcohol and drug misuse. However, research is needed to better understand for whom difficulties regulating positive emotions are most strongly associated with alcohol and drug misuse to inform assessment and treatment efforts. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to examine potential sociodemographic moderators (i.e. age, gender, ethnicity, race, income, and educational attainment) in the relations between difficulties regulating positive emotions and alcohol and drug misuse. Methods: Participants were 373 trauma-exposed adults (57.1% female, 75.8% White) recruited from the community. Results: Significant differences were identified across sociodemographic groups regarding difficulties regulating positive emotions (i.e. gender, ethnicity, race, and income) and alcohol use (i.e. gender). Moderation analyses revealed a significant interaction between difficulties regulating positive emotions and gender on drug misuse (b = 0.08, p < .001), such that the association was significant for females (b = 0.11, p < .001) but not males (b = .03, p = .05). Conclusions: Results suggest the importance of developing gender-sensitive recommendations for the assessment and treatment of substance misuse, and of incorporating techniques focused on addressing difficulties regulating positive emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Schick
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nicole H Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel D Thomas
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nichea S Spillane
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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