Affects, dissociative symptoms and addictive behaviours: Insights from clinical and non-clinical samples

Current literature links substance abuse with primary emotions and dissociative symptoms, but little research combines these relationships. This study investigates the clinical significance of these concepts and the mediating role of dissociative symptoms in the relationship between primary emotions and substance abuse. Study 1 included 517 adults (77.6 % female, Age: M = 27.84) from the community. Path analysis examined the relationships between primary emotions (BANPS-GL), dissociative symptoms (FDS), psychopathology (BSI-18), and substance abuse (WHO-ASSIST). Study 2 involved 73 inpatients with substance use disorders (SUD) compared to 73 matched individuals from the general population, totalling 146 participants (21.9 % female, Age: M = 34.90). MANOVA and Discriminant analysis assessed the differences and contributions of the variables to group separation. Significant correlations were found between the FDS and the WHO-ASSIST, all BSI-scales, and all primary emotions except SEEKING. The FDS was a key mediator between primary emotions and substance abuse (WHO-ASSIST) and effectively differentiated between the clinical and general population groups. These findings highlight the role of dissociative symptoms in the relationship between emotional experiences and addictive behaviour. Future research should consider dissociative symptoms in the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders. •Dissociation influences the relationship of primary emotions and addictive behaviour.•Addicts show more dissociative symptoms than healthy controls.•Dissociation found to be an important parameter in addiction therapy.