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Dissertation
Novel assessment of affective distress intolerance: behavioral paradigm development and ecological momentary assessment in individuals with binge eating
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jul 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7447
Abstract
Distress intolerance is defined as the inability and/or unwillingness to endure negative emotional or physical experiences, specifically by engaging in maladaptive behaviors to alleviate the experience. Affective distress intolerance (pertaining specifically to negative emotional experiences) is theorized to be a key dimension underlying a wide range of maladaptive behaviors, such as loss-of-control (LOC) eating. Those with poor affective distress tolerance engage in behaviors that achieve temporary relief from negative affect, despite the potential long-term negative consequences of such behaviors. As such, affective distress intolerance is a key theoretical target for change in the development and evaluation of promising new psychological treatments. However, nearly all examinations in the current literature have relied on retrospective self-report measurement of affective distress intolerance, which is laden with problematic biases that may halt treatment development and evaluation. As such, the current project aimed to (1) iteratively develop a novel behavioral paradigm that tapped specifically into affective distress intolerance and (2) use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the interaction between momentary distress tolerance and negative affect in predicting subsequent episodes of LOC eating. We recruited 69 individuals with (n=39) and without (n=30) LOC eating to test seven iterations of the behavioral paradigm developed in the current study. A subset of individuals with LOC eating (n=12; data collection ongoing) completed an EMA protocol over the course of two weeks. While the iterations of the behavioral paradigm developed were largely successful in inducing dysphoric emotional experiences, qualitative and quantitative data suggested we were unable to successfully tap into behavioral affective distress intolerance with any iteration of the paradigm. EMA results provided preliminary support for the model that the relation between momentary changes negative affect and subsequent episodes of LOC is strongest for those with lower levels of affective distress tolerance. Ideas for future iterations of the behavioral paradigm, including methods for increasing distress induced by the task, alternative mood induction paradigms, and ways of assessing behavioral escape, are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Novel assessment of affective distress intolerance
- Creators
- Stephanie M. Manasse - DU
- Contributors
- Evan M. Forman (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 147 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7447; 991014632846104721