Abstract
Distress intolerance is an important motivator of maladaptive avoidance-based coping strategies. The selection of such avoidance
behaviors is also influenced by one’s access to alternative emotion regulatory strategies. However, little research has examined
the relative contributions of these vulnerability factors to avoidance. This study examined whether distress intolerance and
access to emotion regulation strategies were uniquely (additively or interactively) associated with self-reported avoidance.
Two samples—an unselected sample (n = 300) and a clinical sample (n = 100)—comprised of patients seeking treatment for unipolar mood and/or anxiety disorders were administered measures of distress
intolerance, emotion regulation, and avoidance. Results of linear regression analyses indicated that distress intolerance
and access to emotion regulation strategies were uniquely and additively associated with avoidance. Implications for the prevention
and treatment of psychological disorders are discussed.
behaviors is also influenced by one’s access to alternative emotion regulatory strategies. However, little research has examined
the relative contributions of these vulnerability factors to avoidance. This study examined whether distress intolerance and
access to emotion regulation strategies were uniquely (additively or interactively) associated with self-reported avoidance.
Two samples—an unselected sample (n = 300) and a clinical sample (n = 100)—comprised of patients seeking treatment for unipolar mood and/or anxiety disorders were administered measures of distress
intolerance, emotion regulation, and avoidance. Results of linear regression analyses indicated that distress intolerance
and access to emotion regulation strategies were uniquely and additively associated with avoidance. Implications for the prevention
and treatment of psychological disorders are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-5
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-012-9463-6
- Authors
- R. Kathryn McHugh, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Proctor House 3 MS 222, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
- Elizabeth K. Reynolds, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Teresa M. Leyro, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Michael W. Otto, Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916