Distress tolerance and subsequent substance use throughout high school.

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

SUBMITTER: Kechter A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8184616 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature