Examining an affect regulation model of substance abuse in schizophrenia

Comorbid substance use disorders occur frequently in schizophrenia with sig nificant detrimental effects to clinical outcome. Unfortunately, attempts t o identify factors associated with comorbid substance use disorders (beyond demographic characteristics such as gender) have not been successful. This study examined an affect regulation model of comorbid substance use in sch izophrenia with a focus on personality traits and coping. It was hypothesiz ed that maladaptive coping and the trails of negative affect (NA) and disin hibition (DLS), but not trait positive affect (PA), would be associated wit h greater substance use problems. Thirty-nine patients with schizophrenia o r schizoaffective disorder completed measures of personality traits, coping , and negative consequences associated with substance use. Traits were diff erentially associated with coping in that NA and DIS, but not PA, were asso ciated with maladaptive coping including the use of drugs and alcohol to co pe with stress. Alternatively, PA, but not DIS or NA, was related to adapti ve coping strategies. Individuals high in NA and endorsing the use of drugs and alcohol to cope reported the greatest number of negative consequences from substance use. This finding held after controlling for gender. These r esults are consistent with an affect regulation model of substance use and suggest the advantage of examining the role of affect, traits, and coping i n understanding comorbid substance use in schizophrenia.