Emotional dysregulation in relation to substance use and behavioral addictions: Findings from five separate meta-analyses.

Background/objective: Emotional dysregulation (ED) is a transdiagnostic variable underlying various psychiatric disorders, including addictive behaviors (ABs). This meta-analysis examines the relationship between ED and ABs (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, and gaming), and indicators of AB engagement (frequency, quantity/time of use, severity, and problems).

Method: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, WoS, and PsycINFO. Five separate meta-analysis were run using random-effects models. Moderators (age, sex, continental region, and sample type; community vs. clinical), and publication bias were evaluated.

Results: A total of 189 studies (N = 78,733; 51.29 % women) were identified. ED was significantly related to all ABs. Problems and severity indicators exhibited the largest effects ('s .118-.372, all <.023). There were larger effect sizes for cannabis problems ( = .372), cannabis severity ( = .280), gaming severity ( = .280), gambling severity ( = .245), gambling problems ( = .131), alcohol problems ( = .237), alcohol severity ( = .204), and severity of nicotine dependence ( = .118). Lack of impulse control exhibited some of the largest effects in relation to ABs. Clinical samples of cannabis users vs. community-based exhibited larger magnitude of associations.

Conclusions: Interventions targeting ABs should address lack of strategies and impulsive behaviors as an emotion regulation strategy specifically, as it is a common risk factor for ABs.