%0 Journal Article
%T Transdiagnostic processes linking posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms to alcohol use severity
%J Journal of dual diagnosis
%D 2023
%A Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate
%A Smit, Tanya
%A Vujanovic, Anka A.
%A Zvolensky, Michael J.
%V ePub
%N ePub
%P ePub-ePub
%X OBJECTIVE: The high comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is well-established and complex. However, there is a need to explore transdiagnostic constructs that may underlie this association to better understand what accounts for this comorbidity and to inform treatment development. <br><br>METHOD: Thus, the present study utilized a large, cross-sectional dataset (N = 513; M(ag)(e) = 38.25 years, SD = 10.07; 49.9% female), based on national recruitment, to (1) examine whether the associations between PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) and alcohol use severity (AUDIT) were statistically mediated by (a) anxiety sensitivity (SSASI); and (b) difficulties with emotion regulation (DERS-16); and (2) examine whether coping motives for drinking moderate this indirect effect. Sex assigned at birth was included as a covariate. <br><br>RESULTS: When examining the hypothesized mediators (SSASI and DERS-16) in separate models, there was a statistically significant indirect effect of PCL-5 on AUDIT through both SSASI and DERS. However, when both SSASI and DERS were entered into a model simultaneously, only SSASI served as a statistically significant mediator. Coping motives for drinking did not moderate the observed indirect effect. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The current findings highlight anxiety sensitivity and emotion regulation as transdiagnostic processes that may explain, at least partially, the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use; however, stronger evidence was evident for anxiety sensitivity. These findings may help inform the development of refined, streamlined interventions for PTSD and alcohol use that directly target these processes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Informa - Taylor and Francis Group
%@ 1550-4263
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2023.2225373