title: Alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences: associations with emotion regulation difficulties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding factors associated with alcohol-related consequences is an important area of research. Emotional functioning has been associated with alcohol-related consequences but there is less research examining a comprehensive underlying model of emotional regulation. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a recent measure developed to assess six facets of emotion regulation difficulties that contribute to overall emotional functioning.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study examines associations between these six facets of emotion regulation difficulties and problematic alcohol use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 1758 college students) were recruited as part of a larger study and were asked to complete online questionnaires assessing demographics, alcohol use and problems, and emotion regulation difficulties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative binomial hurdle models for alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences were estimated. Impulse control difficulties were positively related to the number of drinks consumed during the week among active drinkers. Non-acceptance of emotional responses, impulse control difficulties, lack of emotional clarity, and difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior were all positively associated with number of consequences endorsed. Difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior was also positively associated with the likelihood of experiencing any alcohol-related consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support previous research indicating that emotion-regulation difficulties are broadly associated with alcohol-related consequences. Results suggest exposure and/or mindfulness based prevention/interventions with emotion focused psychoeducation may offer one path to reducing alcohol-related consequences among college students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University , Fargo, ND , USA.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Dvorak
authors.forename: Emily M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: Tess M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kilwein
authors.forename: Brittany L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kuvaas
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult