Delay Discounting Interacts with Distress Tolerance to Predict Depression and Alcohol Use Disorders among Individuals Receiving Inpatient Substance Use Services

Personality-linked psychological factors including distress tolerance and delay discounting have been shown to underlie both Alcohol Use and Major Depressive Disorders. Although these disorders commonly co-occur, especially among individuals seeking in-patient treatment, no study has examined the association between distress tolerance, delay discounting and dual diagnoses. This project evaluated these relations in a sample of 79 low-income adults receiving in-patient substance use treatment. It was hypothesized that individuals with low levels of distress tolerance and elevated discounting would be more likely to report co-occurring disorders. Utilizing structural equation modeling, we found that the interaction between distress tolerance and delay discounting was associated with co-occurring Alcohol Use and Major Depressive Disorders in the expected direction. Findings suggest these constructs could be used for targeting prevention efforts for vulnerable individuals as well as refining current interventions to improve treatment outcomes.