CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Progress
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Sociology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Tracey Garcia McCue
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
The relation between depressive symptomology and SU has been previously established; however, there is a lack of a consistent pattern of comorbidity (Swendsen & Merikangas, 2000). Further understanding of factors that contribute to or strengthen this relation is essential as these may be targets for intervention. Models of both SU and depression include two motivational processes, approach and avoidance (Ertel et al., 2018; Trew, 2011).
SU motives, or the reasons why individuals use substances, can be subdivided based on the functions underlying SU; 1) to avoid unpleasant states, either externally (i.e., using substances to avoid rejection from others; conformity) or internally (i.e., using substance to mitigate negative affect; coping), or 2) to approach rewarding states, either externally (i.e., using substances to approach others or have favorable social outcomes; social) or internally (i.e., using substances to increase positive affect; enhancement) (Cooper et al., 2015).
SU motives have been found to predict subsequent SU and substance-use-related negative consequences (Cooper et al., 2015), with those high in depressive symptomology demonstrating a stronger relation between motives and SUproblems (e.g., Foster et al., 2014b). Additionally, motives for one substance have predicted the use of, and consequences related to, another substance and cross-over effects (Foster et al., 2014a). Further, increased endorsement of coping motives for SU has been associated with worsening depressive symptomology (e.g., Colder et al., 2019).
Although preliminary evidence indicates that SU motives can exacerbate depressive symptomology and increase cross-SU, little is known regarding how depressive symptomology and SUmotives interact to predict SU and related negative consequences. Thus, the aims of the current study include 1) examining the relation between depressive symptomology and SU and related negative consequences (i.e., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco) and 2) how the strength of the relation between depressive symptomology and SU and related negative consequences may vary as a function of SU motives (i.e., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco).
Given previous research, SU is expected to be related to depressive symptomology. It is expected that the relation between SU and depressive symptomology will be moderated by coping, social, and enhancement SU motives; however, given the few studies on cross-substance motives, the effects on the relation between depressive symptomology, varying SU, and related consequences are exploratory. By better understanding these relations, transdiagnostic intervention approaches targeting underlying etiological and maintenance factors (e.g., emotional regulation, experiential avoidance) could lead to significant intervention change.
Keywords: Depression, Substance Use, Motives
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Included in
Motives and Mental Health in Adults
The relation between depressive symptomology and SU has been previously established; however, there is a lack of a consistent pattern of comorbidity (Swendsen & Merikangas, 2000). Further understanding of factors that contribute to or strengthen this relation is essential as these may be targets for intervention. Models of both SU and depression include two motivational processes, approach and avoidance (Ertel et al., 2018; Trew, 2011).
SU motives, or the reasons why individuals use substances, can be subdivided based on the functions underlying SU; 1) to avoid unpleasant states, either externally (i.e., using substances to avoid rejection from others; conformity) or internally (i.e., using substance to mitigate negative affect; coping), or 2) to approach rewarding states, either externally (i.e., using substances to approach others or have favorable social outcomes; social) or internally (i.e., using substances to increase positive affect; enhancement) (Cooper et al., 2015).
SU motives have been found to predict subsequent SU and substance-use-related negative consequences (Cooper et al., 2015), with those high in depressive symptomology demonstrating a stronger relation between motives and SUproblems (e.g., Foster et al., 2014b). Additionally, motives for one substance have predicted the use of, and consequences related to, another substance and cross-over effects (Foster et al., 2014a). Further, increased endorsement of coping motives for SU has been associated with worsening depressive symptomology (e.g., Colder et al., 2019).
Although preliminary evidence indicates that SU motives can exacerbate depressive symptomology and increase cross-SU, little is known regarding how depressive symptomology and SUmotives interact to predict SU and related negative consequences. Thus, the aims of the current study include 1) examining the relation between depressive symptomology and SU and related negative consequences (i.e., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco) and 2) how the strength of the relation between depressive symptomology and SU and related negative consequences may vary as a function of SU motives (i.e., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco).
Given previous research, SU is expected to be related to depressive symptomology. It is expected that the relation between SU and depressive symptomology will be moderated by coping, social, and enhancement SU motives; however, given the few studies on cross-substance motives, the effects on the relation between depressive symptomology, varying SU, and related consequences are exploratory. By better understanding these relations, transdiagnostic intervention approaches targeting underlying etiological and maintenance factors (e.g., emotional regulation, experiential avoidance) could lead to significant intervention change.
Keywords: Depression, Substance Use, Motives