The association between perceived distress tolerance and cannabis use problems, cannabis withdrawal symptoms, and self-efficacy for quitting cannabis: The explanatory role of pain-related affective distress. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manning, Kara; Rogers, Andrew H.; Bakhshaie, Jafar; Hogan, Julianna B.D.; Buckner, Julia D.; Ditre, Joseph W.; Zvolensky, Michael J.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 85(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Cannabis -- Pain -- Withdrawal -- Distress tolerance -- Affect -- Affective distress -- Comorbidity; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Rates of cannabis use and related problems continue to rise, ranking as the third most common substance use disorder in the United States, behind tobacco and alcohol use. Past work suggests that perceived distress tolerance is related to several clinically significant features of cannabis use (e.g., coping-oriented use). However, there has been little exploration of the mechanisms that may underlie relations between perceived distress tolerance and cannabis use problems, withdrawal severity, and self-efficacy for quitting. The current study sought to examine the experience of pain, which frequently co-occurs with cannabis use (Ashrafioun, Bohnert, Jannausch, & Ilgen, 2015 ), as an underlying factor in the relation between perceived distress tolerance and cannabis related problems among 203 current cannabis-using adults (29.2% female, M = 37.7 years, SD = 10.2, 63% African American). Results indicated that perceived distress tolerance via pain related affective distress significantly predicted the severity of cannabis use problems (Pm = 0.60), degree of cannabis withdrawal (Pm = 0.39), and lower self-efficacy for quitting cannabis (Pm = 0.36). Future work may usefully explore the role of pain-related affective distress as a mechanistic factor in the context of perceived distress tolerance-cannabis relations. Highlights: Perceived distress tolerance via pain distress predicted cannabis use problems. Perceived distress tolerance via pain distress predicted cannabis withdrawal. Perceived distress tolerance via pain distress predicted lower self-efficacy. Perceived pain life control was a significant influential factor.