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The role of rash-impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and reward drive in comorbid disordered eating and substance use disorders

Natalie Merinuk (School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Science and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)
Stephanie C. Varcoe (School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Science and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)
Peter J. Kelly (School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Science and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)
Laura D. Robinson (School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Science and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)

Advances in Dual Diagnosis

ISSN: 1757-0972

Article publication date: 8 June 2021

Issue publication date: 10 August 2021

165

Abstract

Purpose

Substance use disorder (SUD) frequently co-occurs with other psychological conditions, such as eating disorders (EDs). Psychological factors such as emotional dysregulation, rash impulsivity (RI) and reward sensitivity (RS) play a role in the etiology of each disorder, yet little is known about the combined effects of these on comorbid SUDs and EDs or disordered eating behaviours (DEBs). This study aims to examine the role of these psychological factors in comorbid DEBs and SUDs among individuals in treatment for SUDs. The role of gender is tested as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional self-report survey was completed by 131 participants attending Australian residential substance use treatment centres. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of emotional dysregulation, RI and RS on comorbid DEB and SUD. Further, moderation analyses were used to examine the moderating effect for gender on the relationship between these three personality variables and comorbidity.

Findings

The most commonly reported primary substance of use was alcohol (43.5%), followed by amphetamines (38.6%). Findings showed that emotional dysregulation and RI were significantly related to an increase in comorbidity likelihood; however, RS was not. Gender moderated the relationship between comorbidity and RI only.

Originality/value

The significant positive relationship found between RI and comorbidity for females only was a novel finding for the current study. Further research is needed to develop an understanding of the etiology of comorbidity.

Keywords

Citation

Merinuk, N., Varcoe, S.C., Kelly, P.J. and Robinson, L.D. (2021), "The role of rash-impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and reward drive in comorbid disordered eating and substance use disorders", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 119-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-01-2021-0002

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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