Relations between distress tolerance and psychosocial variables in adults experiencing homelessness

ABSTRACT

Distress Tolerance (DT) is a transdiagnostic factor that may help better understand vulnerability to mental health problems. This study explores DT among recently incarcerated adults experiencing homelessness (RIHAs). Participants (n = 298) were recruited from an ongoing clinical trial at a homeless shelter in Texas. Cross-sectional linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relations between DT subconstructs (tolerance, appraisal, regulation, and absorption) and psychosocial factors (depression, aggression, hostility, anxiety, and stress) in a sample of RIHAs. Lower DT absorption was associated with greater depression, aggression, hostility, anxiety, and stress. Lower DT appraisal was associated with greater hostility, anxiety, and stress. Greater DT regulation was associated with lower hostility and stress (ps<.05). DT tolerance was unrelated to any psychosocial factors. DT subscales are associated with psychosocial factors among RIHAs. Future research should assess the feasibility of interventions that enhance DT absorption and appraisal coping among RIHAs.

KEYWORDS:

• Distress tolerance
• psychosocial variables
• homelessness
• mental health
• hostility

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be available upon request once the trial has concluded.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01MD01073301; PIs: MSB, JRG), the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) grant R21-02, and used the mHealth Shared Resource which is partially funded by the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant P30CA225520 awarded to the Stephenson Cancer Center.

Notes on contributors

Jillian Robison

Jillian Robison is a staff research assistant at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-Health Promotion Research Center.

Jordan M. Neil

Jordan M. Neil is an Assistant Professor and specializes in translational cancer communication science. Their research focuses include improving uptake of tobacco cessation services and participation rates in cancer clinical trials.

Michael B. Cannell

Michael B. Cannell is an Associate Professor. Research interests includes healthy aging and physical and cognitive function, living with a disability and improving outcomes for older adults. Additionally, Dr. Cannell specializes in data science and digital epidemiology.

Jennifer M. Reingle Gonzalez

Jennifer M. Reingle Gonzalez is a senior director of Population Health Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas. Research interests include: data informed public health and criminal justice practice, explaining health disparities in substance use, crime and violence, instrumentation and screening tool development and using “big data” sources to track and predict violent events.

Michael J. Zvolensky

Michael J. Zvolensky is a Distinguished Professor and Director of Anxiety and Health Research Laboratory and Substance Use Treatment Clinic. Dr. Zvolensky's research focuses on underlying processes of emotional disorder-substance use disorder comorbidity, anxiety/depression psychopathology for groups subject to health inequalities and treatment development that is community-friendly.

Chaelin K. Ra

Chaelin K. Ra is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. They are interested in mental health and cancer prevention using mobile health technology.

Lorra Garey

Lorra Garey is a Research Assistant Professor. Primary research interests include health disparities among underserved and vulnerable populations, substance use and psychological vulnerabilities and risk factors.

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole is an Assistant Professor. Their research interests include examining health disparities and behaviors in American Indian/Alaska Native populations from resilience and risk perspectives.

Krista Kezbers

Krista Kezbers is a Senior Program Manager at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-Health Promotion Research Center. Their research interests revolve around improving the health and lifestyle behaviors of individuals in unique populations.

Audrey Montgomery

Audrey Montgomery: Audrey Montgomery is a Staff Research assistant at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-Health Promotion Research Center.

Michael S. Businelle

Michael Businelle is the Co-Director of the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Director of mHealth Shared Resource and a Professor. Main research interests include using technology (e.g. smartphone apps) to study and promote health behavior change among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults (e.g. homeless, uninsured).