Regulatory Flexibility Mediates the Relationship Between Delay Discounting and Remission from Substance Use Disorder

Delay discounting (DD) and self-regulation are important predictors of substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes. Further, regulatory flexibility (RF; i.e., selecting, monitoring, and adapting coping techniques based on contextual demands) is related to psychological resilience. However, studies have yet to examine associations between DD, RF, and remission from SUDs. Individuals (N = 148) in SUD recovery completed the Context Sensitivity Index (CSI), the Flexible Regulation of Emotional Expression (FREE) Scale, and the Perceived Ability to Cope with Trauma (PACT) Scale to assess RF and, an Adjusting Amount Delay Discounting Task. T-tests were used to examine differences in RF and DD by remission status. Univariate linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between RF and DD. Finally, mediation models examined the dynamic relationship between DD, RF, and remission status. Remitted individuals (n=82) had significantly lower DD rates (p<0.001) and higher context sensitivity (p<0.001) and coping flexibility (p<0.001). There were significant negative associations between DD and context sensitivity (p=0.008), coping flexibility (p=0.002), and emotion regulation flexibility (p<0.001). Finally, context sensitivity (p=0.023) and coping flexibility (p=0.007) mediated the relationship between DD and SUD remission. Results suggest that individuals in recovery with broader temporal windows can better identify contextual demands and flexibly cope, contributing to improved SUD recovery outcomes.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Clinical Science

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Dwyer, Candice

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Bickel, Warren K.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Kim-Spoon, Jungmeen
• Tegge, Allison N.

• Substance use disorder
• delay discounting
• coping flexibility
• regulatory flexibility
• recovery

Statement dc:rights

• CC0 1.0 Universal

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/113687

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/113687