Distress tolerance and reactivity to negative affective cues in naturalistic environments of cannabis-using emerging adults.
Distress tolerance (DT) has been implicated as an important factor in the experience of negative affect (NA) and cannabis craving. However, previous research is limited by its use of laboratory paradigms that may not replicate in naturalistic settings. The current study examined how DT influenced reactivity to NA cues in daily life in a sample of frequent (≥3 times per week) cannabis-using emerging adults (age 18-21). Using cue-reactivity ecological momentary assessment (CREMA), 63 (54 % female 85.7 % white M NA cues consistently predicted higher-than-normal post-cue sadness and lower relaxation, but not greater-than-normal post-cue craving. Cue type interacted with sex and DT to predict post-cue sadness, but not craving. Female participants and those reporting low DT reported higher sadness following NA cues compared to males and those with high DT, respectively. Frequent cannabis-using emerging adults differed in affect, but not cannabis craving, reactivity to NA cues as a function of sex and DT. Our results were partially consistent with prior human laboratory and CREMA research finding greater reactivity to NA cues among females and individuals with low DT.