Distraction-based coping and emotion regulation difficulties as predictors of high-risk behavior

Update Item Information
Publication Type honors thesis
School or College College of Social & Behavioral Science
Department Psychology
Faculty Mentor Sheila Crowell
Creator Hensen, Emily
Title Distraction-based coping and emotion regulation difficulties as predictors of high-risk behavior
Year graduated 2016
Description High-risk behaviors are correlated with current and future psychological problems. Past research s uggests that difficulties in emotion regulation may increase the likelihood of individuals engaging in high -risk behavior. Research also suggests that problem behaviors may be a function of experiential avoidance; however, the impact of specific coping styles on high- risk behavior is ambiguous. In this study, we hypothesized that as emotion regulation difficulties increase, those who frequently use distraction based coping methods would show an increase in high- risk behaviors. In contrast, we hypothesized that participants who don't use distraction-based coping methods would not show an association between emotion dysregulation and highrisk behavior. Participants (N=230) filled out several self-report measures assessing emotion regulation, coping strategies, and high- risk behaviors. A moderation analysis using multiple regression was performed to examine the association between difficulties in emotion regulation and high- risk behavior among high and low distracters. Results suggest that for high distracters, high risk behaviors increase as emotion regulation difficulties increase. Findings suggest that distraction-based coping styles may have an impact on the frequency of high-risk behaviors, and may help identify which emotionally dysregulated individuals are at risk for engaging in problem behaviors.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Risk-taking (Psychology) in adolescence
Language eng
Rights Management (c) Emily E. Hansen
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 25,094 bytes
Identifier honors/id/45
Permissions Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6pc6wgt
ARK ark:/87278/s6s5027b
Setname ir_htoa
ID 205697
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6s5027b
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