How do you restrain yourself from avoidance when distressed? Distress tolerance and affective associations of avoidance/withstanding behaviors in college-aged heavy drinkers

Distress tolerance (DT) has been considered an important contributor to manifestation, maintenance, and relapse of alcohol use problems. However, factors that could influence DT among heavy drinkers are unclear. The current study examined the role of affects linked to avoidance/withstanding behavioral options in deciding whether to withstand distressful experiences with a sample of heavy drinkers. To this end, the author administered a well-validated instrument to assess implicit affective associations of avoidance/withstanding options to 36 heavy drinkers and conducted ecological momentary assessment to measure DT of the participants for one week. Multilevel model analyses revealed that affects linked to avoidance/withstanding options were closely related to DT. Affects linked to avoidance/withstanding options could influence DT in heavy drinkers and warrant further exploration. •Affective judgment model of DT was tested using ecological momentary assessment.•Affects linked to AO-Quitting/WO-Persevering were related to DT-Persevering Capacity.•Affects linked to AO-Relieving/WO-Enduring were related to DT-Enduring Capacity.•Affective associations of AO and WO may influence DT in the natural environment.