The transition from childhood to adolescence is associated with significant increases in rates of substance use disorders. There are a number of factors that may be related to these increases, including underlying psychological propensities and genetic risk factors. Recent research aimed at elucidating the genetic underpinnings of the development of SUDs is limited by the heterogeneity in their clinical presentations. There have been attempts to circumvent this problem by examining intermediary phenotypes, which may be more proximally linked to genes. Distress tolerance (DT), or the propensity to pursue goals in the face of affective distress, is a potential intermediary phenotype relevant to the emergence of SUDs. DT has been linked to risk taking and substance use in youth and to the likelihood that adults will not attempt to quit using substances and will relapse during abstinence from substances. DT is tied to emotion regulation abilities, which mature throughout adolescence. Emotional experiences during adolescence are heightened because of hormonal and neuronal changes occurring, which increase the likelihood that adolescents will engage in risky behaviors to reduce negative effect. DT plays an intimate role in this process. An examination of DT as a mediator of the relationship between genetic variation and substance use among youth might help clarify how genes influence SUDs and the role of DT within this process. Supporting this line of reasoning, previous research demonstrates the heritability of substance use problems among youth, a relationship between low DT and particular genetic polymorphisms (COMT Val158Met [rs4680], 5-HTTLPR), and a connection between low DT and substance use behaviors among youth. In the current study, we will utilize data from an ongoing 10-year longitudinal study following two cohorts of 641 youth (youth are 8-10 years-old at baseline). This study aims to examine the effects of genetic variants relevant to emotion regulation, stress response, and substance use (e.g. CRHR1, GCCR, DAT, COMT, and GABRA2) on DT (assessed via the Behavioral Indicator of Resiliency to Distress) and substance use behaviors across early and middle adolescence. It is hypothesized that genetic variation will predict lower levels of DT. Further, it is hypothesized that the effect of high-risk genes on substance use behaviors will be mediated by DT levels. This research will enhance our understanding of the relationship between genes and substance use, with the potential to provide unique intervention points to prevent or treat SUDs among youth. The main training goal for this award is to develop a programmatic line of research at the intersection of genetics, substance use, and developmental psychopathology. Training objectives include gaining knowledge of relevant genetic methodologies and developing an understanding of processes underlying substance use across adolescence.

Public Health Relevance

Substance use behaviors escalate rapidly across the course of adolescent development and are associated with a number of negative outcomes. The identification of behavioral propensities and genetic variants underlying these behaviors among youth offers critical prevention and intervention points. The current study aims to understand whether distress tolerance, that is, the ability to pursue goals in the face of psychological distress, mediates the relationship between particular genetic variants and substance use behaviors across adolescent development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DA035033-02
Application #
8635208
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F16-L (20))
Program Officer
Boyce, Cheryl A
Project Start
2013-03-18
Project End
2015-03-17
Budget Start
2014-03-18
Budget End
2015-03-17
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$35,729
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland College Park
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
790934285
City
College Park
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20742
Banducci, Anne N; Lejuez, C W; Dougherty, Lea R et al. (2017) A Prospective Examination of the Relations Between Emotional Abuse and Anxiety: Moderation by Distress Tolerance. Prev Sci 18:20-30
Felton, Julia W; Banducci, Anne N; Shadur, Julia M et al. (2017) The developmental trajectory of perceived stress mediates the relations between distress tolerance and internalizing symptoms among youth. Dev Psychopathol 29:1391-1401
Banducci, Anne N; Felton, Julia W; Dahne, Jennifer et al. (2015) Maternal risk taking on the balloon analogue risk task as a prospective predictor of youth alcohol use escalation. Addict Behav 49:40-5
Banducci, Anne N; Hoffman, Elana M; Lejuez, C W et al. (2014) The impact of childhood abuse on inpatient substance users: specific links with risky sex, aggression, and emotion dysregulation. Child Abuse Negl 38:928-38
Banducci, Anne N; Hoffman, Elana; Lejuez, C W et al. (2014) The relationship between child abuse and negative outcomes among substance users: psychopathology, health, and comorbidities. Addict Behav 39:1522-7
Banducci, Anne N; Gomes, Melissa; MacPherson, Laura et al. (2014) A Preliminary Examination of the Relationship Between the 5-HTTLPR and Childhood Emotional Abuse on Depressive Symptoms in 10-12-Year-Old Youth. Psychol Trauma 6:1-7
Banducci, Anne N; Dahne, Jennifer; Magidson, Jessica F et al. (2013) Clinical characteristics as a function of referral status among substance users in residential treatment. Addict Behav 38:1924-30