Prediction of Substance Use Tendency Based on Cognitive Avoidance and Distress Tolerance in University Students

Sanaz  Javidi; Abolfazl  Karami

doi:10.61838/kman.jndd.4.2.3

Authors

Sanaz Javidi MA, Department of Clinical Psychology, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1172-8041
Abolfazl Karami Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Educational Science, Allameh Tabatabaei, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1607-4509

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jndd.4.2.3

Keywords:

Substance use tendency, distress tolerance, cognitive avoidance, university students, emotion regulation, maladaptive coping strategies

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to predict substance use tendency among university students based on levels of cognitive avoidance and distress tolerance.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive-correlational design was employed with a sample of 370 students from the Islamic Azad University, West Tehran Branch, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed three standardized instruments: the Substance Use Tendency Questionnaire (Weed & Butcher, 1992), the Distress Tolerance Scale (Simons & Gaher, 2005), and the Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (Sexton & Dugas, 2008). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS software.

Findings: The results showed that distress tolerance was negatively correlated with substance use tendency, while cognitive avoidance was positively correlated. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both distress tolerance (β = -0.364, p < 0.001) and cognitive avoidance (β = 0.285, p < 0.001) significantly predicted substance use tendency.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that students with lower distress tolerance and higher cognitive avoidance are more likely to exhibit a tendency toward substance use. These results underscore the importance of integrating emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility training in university-based prevention programs. Interventions targeting distress tolerance and avoidance coping could be effective in reducing the risk of substance misuse in student populations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ali, B., Green, K. M., Daughters, S. B., & Lejuez, C. W. (2017). Distress Tolerance Interacts With Circumstances, Motivation, and Readiness to Predict Substance Abuse Treatment Retention. Addictive behaviors, 73, 99-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.04.016

Anderson, G. N., Conway, C., & Bravo, A. J. (2023). Distress Tolerance Predicts Substance Use Motivations and Problems in Young Adults Across Four Continents. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dq8u3

Anderson, G. N., Conway, C., & Bravo, A. J. (2024). Distress Tolerance Is Linked With Substance Use Motivations and Problems in Young Adults Across Four Continents. Journal of personality, 93(3), 706-723. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12963

Baker, S. N., Burr, E. K., Leon, A. N. D., Leary, A. V., Rozek, D. C., & Dvorak, R. D. (2023). The Mediating Roles of Affect Lability and Experiential Avoidance Between Distress Tolerance and Suicidal Ideation Among College Students. Psychological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941231216671

Batchelder, A., Ehlinger, P. P., Boroughs, M., Shipherd, J. C., Safren, S. A., Ironson, G., & O’Cleirigh, C. (2017). Psychological and Behavioral Moderators of the Relationship Between Trauma Severity and HIV Transmission Risk Behavior Among MSM With a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 40(5), 794-802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-017-9848-9

Chaleshtori, M. N., Asgari, P., Heidari, A., Bozorgi, Z. D., & Hafezi, F. (2022). Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention in Distress Tolerance and Sensation-Seeking in Adolescents With a Drug-Addicted Parent. Journal of Research and Health, 12(5), 355-362. https://doi.org/10.32598/jrh.12.5.1889.2

Felton, J. W., Strutz, K. L., McCauley, H. L., Poland, C., Barnhart, K., & Lejuez, C. W. (2019). Delay Discounting Interacts With Distress Tolerance to Predict Depression and Alcohol Use Disorders Among Individuals Receiving Inpatient Substance Use Services. International journal of mental health and addiction, 18(5), 1416-1421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00163-5

Ghanbari, H., Toozandehjani, H., & Nejat, H. (2020). Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Quality of Life Improvement Training on Distress Tolerance and Self-Destructive Behaviors in Substance Abusers. International Journal of Basic Science in Medicine, 5(1), 28-32. https://doi.org/10.34172/ijbsm.2020.07

Hayes, A., Dempsey, M., Kells, M., & Murphy, M. (2023). The Relationship Between Social Support, Coping Strategies and Psychological Distress and Positive Mental Well-Being in Carers of People With Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline personality disorder and emotion dysregulation, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-023-00237-w

Henschel, A. V., Flanagan, J. C., Augur, I. F., Jeffirs, S. M., & Back, S. E. (2021). Motives for Prescription Opioid Use: The Role of Alexithymia and Distress Tolerance. American Journal on Addictions, 31(1), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13230

Kechter, A., Barrington‐Trimis, J. L., Cho, J., Davis, J. P., Huh, J., Black, D. S., & Leventhal, A. M. (2021). Distress Tolerance and Subsequent Substance Use Throughout High School. Addictive behaviors, 120, 106983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106983

Langdon, K. J., Ramsey, S. E., Scherzer, C. R., Carey, K. B., Ranney, M. L., & Rich, J. D. (2020). Development of an Integrated Digital Health Intervention to Promote Engagement in and Adherence to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-020-00189-4

Muradian, A. A., Timerbulatova, M. F., & Timerbulatov, I. F. (2025). Non-Suicidal Self-Harm and Its Addictive Potential in Adolescents With Drug-Related Disorders. Vestnik Nevrologii Psihiatrii I Nejrohirurgii (Bulletin of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery)(4), 441-448. https://doi.org/10.33920/med-01-2504-02

O’Loughlin, C. M., Park, Y., & Ammerman, B. A. (2023). Suicide Ideation, Distress, and Peer Perceptions as Predictors of Substance Use. Substance Use & Misuse, 58(4), 560-569. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2177964

Reese, E. D., Conway, C., Anand, D., Bauer, D. J., & Daughters, S. B. (2019). Distress Tolerance Trajectories Following Substance Use Treatment. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 87(7), 645-656. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000403

Sease, T. B., Wiese, A. L., & Knight, K. (2024). A Latent Profile Analysis of Substance Use and Post-Traumatic Stress on Substance Use Treatment Outcomes Among People Involved With the Justice System. Journal of Drug Issues. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426241248361

Shorey, R. C., Gawrysiak, M. J., Elmquist, J., Brem, M. J., Anderson, S., & Stuart, G. L. (2017). Experiential Avoidance, Distress Tolerance, and Substance Use Cravings Among Adults in Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorders. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 36(3), 151-157. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2017.1302661

Veilleux, J. C. (2022). A Theory of Momentary Distress Tolerance: Toward Understanding Contextually Situated Choices to Engage With or Avoid Distress. Clinical Psychological Science, 11(2), 357-380. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026221118327

Wolitzky‐Taylor, K., McBeth, J., Guillot, C. R., Stone, M. D., Kirkpatrick, M. G., Zvolensky, M. J., Buckner, J. D., & Leventhal, A. M. (2016). Transdiagnostic Processes Linking Anxiety Symptoms and Substance Use Problems Among Adolescents. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 35(4), 266-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2016.1207969

Yıldız, E., & Büyükfırat, E. (2024). Psychological Flexibility in Individuals With Substance Use Disorder: The Mediating Effect of Distress Tolerance and Stress. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 32(3), 610-622. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.13140

Zapolski, T. C. B., Rowe, A. T., Banks, D. E., & Faidley, M. T. (2018). Perceived Discrimination and Substance Use Among Adolescents: Examining the Moderating Effect of Distress Tolerance and Negative Urgency. Substance Use & Misuse, 54(1), 156-165. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2018.1512625