Negative affect and illicit substance use: The moderating role of self-control

Theories of substance use have historically focused on the role of negative affect and self-control, yet few studies have examined distinct aspects of self-control as moderators of link between negative affect and substance use in the participant’s natural environment. The primary goal of this study was to examine whether different aspects of self-control (monitoring, adjusting, and persisting) measured using multiple methods (self-report, psychophysiological, behavior) moderate the relation between momentary negative affect and illicit substance use in a sample of current substance users with a history of substance use disorders. I predicted that the adjusting and persisting, but not the monitoring aspects of self-control would moderate the relation between momentary negative affect and substance use, such that negative affect would be positively related to substance use at low levels of monitoring and adjusting. Of the hypotheses, the best support was for the moderating role of the adjusting aspects of self-control in the negative affect - substance use relation. Specifically, negative affect was positively related to substance use at low levels of adjusting, but negatively related substance use at high levels of adjusting. My other hypotheses received limited support. This project makes several clear additions to the substance use literature that will inform future research. Most important is the finding that the adjusting aspects of self-control seem particularly important for understanding for whom negative affect may promote substance use. Persons who adjust well, in the face of errors, may be resilient to mood-dependent substance use. The null results for the other aspects of self-control (i.e., monitoring and persistence) may suggest that these aspects are less important than adjusting among current substance users.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Bresin, Konrad

Contributors dc:contributor

• Heller, Wendy
• Federmeier, Kara
• Verona, Edelyn
• Gulley, Joshua
• Lejuez, Carl

• negative affect
• substance use
• self-control

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Konrad Bresin

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101448

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/101448