Distress tolerance and subsequent substance use throughout high school. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kechter, Afton; Barrington-Trimis, Jessica L.; Cho, Junhan; Davis, Jordan P.; Huh, Jimi; Black, David S.; Leventhal, Adam M.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 120(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Distress tolerance -- Substance use -- Adolescence; 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.2021.106983
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Greater distress tolerance (DT) predicted lower substance use frequency. This protective association was found among never-users but not ever-users. Early interventions targeting DT absorption and appraisal skills may be useful. Abstract: Objective: To examine the association of perceived distress tolerance—one's ability to endure aversive experiences—with subsequent substance use frequency during adolescence. Methods: High school students ( N = 3, 203) were surveyed semiannually from 2013 to 2017. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) was administered at baseline (9th grade) and self-reported past 30-day number of days used of alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and opioids (range: 0–30) were assessed at all timepoints. Self-reported baseline ever (vs. never) use of each substance and depressive/anxiety symptom status (clinical and subclinical vs. none) were tested as moderators. Results: Among baseline never substance users, a greater baseline mean DTS score was associated with fewer days of alcohol, cigarette, and opioid use in past-30 days over 4 years of follow-up (IRR range = 0.60–0.84); among ever-users, baseline mean DTS was not significantly associated with substance use across follow-up timepoints (p-interaction = 0.03). The association of DTS and frequency of substance use did not differ by baseline mental health status for any substance (all ps > 0.05). Conclusions: Greater perceived distress tolerance at the start of high school may be a protective factor against substance use frequency prior to initial use. Interventions that build distress tolerance in early adolescence may be warranted to prevent higher frequency substance use throughout high school.