Childhood maltreatment and substance use risk: A moderated mediation model of autonomic reactivity and distress tolerance.

Child maltreatment Distress tolerance Stress reactivity Substance use

Journal

Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
17 Jul 2024
Historique:
received: 02 11 2023
revised: 20 05 2024
accepted: 02 07 2024
medline: 19 7 2024
pubmed: 19 7 2024
entrez: 18 7 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

The link between child maltreatment (CM) and substance use (SU) in young adulthood is established. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) division of the autonomic nervous system may mediate this link. However, less is known on the indirect link between CM and SU via SNS functioning. Due to individual variability in the link between SNS functioning and SU risk, we aimed to examine the moderating role of distress tolerance (DT). A longitudinal sample of 118 young adults (YAs) from a low socioeconomic status background were assessed twice (between 9 and 12 months apart). CM, DT, and galvanic skin response (GSR) stress reactivity were measured during the initial study visit, while SU was assessed at both timepoints. Stress reactivity was assessed by measuring the GSR reactivity during a stress task. We tested the indirect associations between CM and changes in SU problems via GSR stress reactivity, and the moderation effects of DT on these indirect associations. A mediation model in the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework was then followed by a moderated mediation model to analyze these data. YA's stress reactivity mediated the association between CM and alcohol use problems, and this indirect effect was weaker among YAs who had higher levels of DT. This pattern did not emerge with drug use problems. Findings suggest that intervention and prevention efforts for SU outcomes should consider incorporating strategies that increase at-risk individuals' levels of DT. Providing strategies to help individuals stem their stress reactivity may reduce their risk for alcohol use.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND/AIMS OBJECTIVE
The link between child maltreatment (CM) and substance use (SU) in young adulthood is established. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) division of the autonomic nervous system may mediate this link. However, less is known on the indirect link between CM and SU via SNS functioning. Due to individual variability in the link between SNS functioning and SU risk, we aimed to examine the moderating role of distress tolerance (DT).
METHODS METHODS
A longitudinal sample of 118 young adults (YAs) from a low socioeconomic status background were assessed twice (between 9 and 12 months apart). CM, DT, and galvanic skin response (GSR) stress reactivity were measured during the initial study visit, while SU was assessed at both timepoints. Stress reactivity was assessed by measuring the GSR reactivity during a stress task. We tested the indirect associations between CM and changes in SU problems via GSR stress reactivity, and the moderation effects of DT on these indirect associations. A mediation model in the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework was then followed by a moderated mediation model to analyze these data.
RESULTS RESULTS
YA's stress reactivity mediated the association between CM and alcohol use problems, and this indirect effect was weaker among YAs who had higher levels of DT. This pattern did not emerge with drug use problems.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that intervention and prevention efforts for SU outcomes should consider incorporating strategies that increase at-risk individuals' levels of DT. Providing strategies to help individuals stem their stress reactivity may reduce their risk for alcohol use.

Identifiants

pubmed: 39024782
pii: S0145-2134(24)00330-2
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106940
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

106940

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflict of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Auteurs

Joshua T McMains (JT)

Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: jmcmains@uga.edu.

Sihong Liu (S)

Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, 123 Dawson Hall, 305 Sanford Dr., Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: sihongl@stanford.edu.

Assaf Oshri (A)

Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, 123 Dawson Hall, 305 Sanford Dr., Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: oshri@uga.edu.

Lawrence H Sweet (LH)

Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: sweet@uga.edu.

Classifications MeSH