Date of Graduation

5-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

Lindsay Ham

Committee Member

Jennifer Veilleux

Second Committee Member

Ana Bridges

Keywords

alcohol consumption, alcohol use, craving, distress tolerance, mindfulness, motives

Abstract

Distress tolerance (DT) has recently been studied as a potential catalyst for the development ofalcohol use disorder (AUD). Research exploring the relationship between DT and craving is limited and has primarily focused on nicotine craving. Furthermore, there are no current studies examining the relationship between DT and alcohol consumption. This study was designed to fill this gap in the literature, which may shed light on a potentially important target for alcohol use treatment. Additionally, the role of mindfulness was explored in the context of the relationship between DT and alcohol craving and consumption, with the intention of expanding on the existing literature demonstrating the utility of mindfulness-based interventions for AUD. This study consisted of 71 participants age 21-35, recruited as part of a larger research study. Trait DT, trait mindfulness, and an initial craving rating were assessed at baseline. Individuals were then given a negative mood induction task. After the mood induction, individuals were given measures of momentary distress intolerance and craving. Next, participants were given an alcohol taste-task to measure ad libitum alcohol consumption, after which they completed a measure of state mindfulness. Individuals with higher momentary distress intolerance after the mood induction had a greater increase in craving from pre- to post- mood induction; there was no significant relationship between trait DT and craving. Trait DT and momentary distress intolerance were not predictive of alcohol consumption in this study. Additionally, mindfulness measures did not moderate the relationship between DT measures and alcohol craving or consumption. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between DT and alcohol craving and alcohol consumption, as well as the potentially important role of mindfulness in the treatment of AUD.

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