(PS10-B50) Influence of Momentary Negative Affect on Self-reported Distress Tolerance Capacities

Researchers frequently view distress tolerance (DT), or an individuals' ability to withstand distressing states, as a stable, trait-like, transdiagnostic characteristic. However, recent work suggests that individuals’ DT capacities might fluctuate based on contextual variables, including affective states. Historically, researchers have expected inverse relations between negative affect (NA) and DT; nevertheless, a gap in the literature pertains to the influence of NA on individuals’ self-reported DT. In the present work, we examined the influence of induced NA on self-reported DT via an experimental paradigm. The present study involves secondary analysis of data from 1092 adults recruited from Amazon’s MTurk platform who endorsed lifetime use of both alcohol and cannabis. Participants reported baseline NA, underwent either a NA induction or control task determined by random assignment, and completed subsequent measures of NA and DT. Those assigned to the NA condition reported lower DT immediately following the affect induction compared to control participants (t = -4.90, p < .001, Cohen’s d = .30). Nevertheless, at survey end, differences in a second measure of DT between those assigned to the experimental and control conditions evidenced non-significance (t = 1.015, p = .155, Cohen’s d = .06). Results also demonstrated moderate inverse correlations between NA and DT. Positive affect appeared positively related to DT, albeit inconsistently and with small effect sizes. Lastly, in a hierarchical multiple regression predicting DT from NA, positive affect, and condition while controlling for covariates, the main effects of condition, NA and positive affect were significant. Positive affect was found to positively predict DT, while NA was an inverse predictor. Moreover, those assigned to the NA induction reported lower levels of DT than those in the control condition. Taken together, these results suggest that undergoing an NA induction, and subsequent momentary experiences of NA might influence individuals’ perceptions of their DT capacities. Given these findings, future research should further examine how various affective states might either enhance or undermine individuals’ self-reported DT capacities.