title: The moderating role of dysphoria in the relationship between intrusions and alcohol use.
abstract: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is frequently comorbid with alcohol use disorders (AUD; Calabrese et al., 2011; McFall, Mackay, & Donovan, 1992). Among several explanations for this comorbidity, the most empirically supported is the self-medication theory which postulates that substances are used to medicate PTSD-related distress (Keane & Wolfe, 1990; Khantzian, 1985; Stewart, 1996). The current study examines the effects of trauma-related distress on alcohol use (total drinking days, drinks per drinking day, heavy drinking days) in a sample of 127 trauma-exposed Veterans following deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. The dysphoria symptoms of PTSD were used as an indicator of distress, and examined as a moderator in the relationship between intrusion symptoms of PTSD and alcohol use. The proposed moderation model was tested using cross-sectional data from the first month following return from deployment, and at 6 months and at 12 months post-deployment. Results showed that dysphoria symptoms significantly moderated relations between intrusions and total drinking days and heavy drinking days at one month post-deployment; however, a significant pattern was not demonstrated at 6 months and 12 months. Further, dysphoria did not moderate the relation between intrusion symptoms and drinks per drinking day at the three time points. Theoretical and clinical implications are subsequently discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606-3390, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, United States. Electronic address: ateka.c@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ateka A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Contractor
authors.affiliation: Department of Veteran Affairs, Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, United States; Department of Education and Human Services, College of Education, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States.
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Presseau
authors.affiliation: Department of Veteran Affairs, Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, Houston, TX 77054, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
authors.forename: Madhavi K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Veteran Affairs, Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
authors.forename: M Tracie
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Shea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Alcohol use; Dysphoria; Intrusions; PTSD symptoms; Veterans