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). 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. 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 (r’s .118-.372, all p <.023). There were larger effect sizes for cannabis problems (r = .372), cannabis severity (r = .280), gaming severity (r = .280), gambling severity (r = .245), gambling problems (r = .131), alcohol problems (r = .237), alcohol severity (r = .204), and severity of nicotine dependence (r = .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. 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.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (ID: CRD42019122315) to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of contingency management (CM) to promote smoking abstinence among individuals with substance use disorder or in recovery. Databases were PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and EBSCO. The primary eligibility criteria for inclusion in our meta-analysis were as follows: any study examining the efficacy of CM for smoking cessation that reported smoking abstinence and/or cigarette reductions. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality assessment tool. Publication bias was examined using Egger's regression intercept, the Begg-Mazumdar test, and Tweedie's trim-and-fill approach. A total of 22 articles were included, and 13 were included in three meta-analyses: abstinence at posttreatment (12 studies), abstinence at follow-up (8 studies), and reduction outcomes at posttreatment (6 studies). CM was superior to comparison arms in smoking abstinence (RR = 2.555; 95% CI [1.730, 3.775]; p < .001) and reduction (SMD = .601; 95% CI [0.372, 0.831]; p < .001) at end-of-treatment. At long-term follow-ups, CM did not show enhanced effects over abstinence beyond those shown in comparison arms (RR = 1.029; 95% CI [0.577, 1.836]; p = .922). Smoking-cessation treatment (all treatments included CM) and smoking abstinence increased the likelihood of abstinence from alcohol and/or illicit drugs. All studies were rated as being of strong or moderate quality, and no marked presence of publication bias was found. CM for smoking cessation in individuals with substance use disorders performs significantly better than control conditions in reducing smoking at end-of-treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is a transdiagnostic variable that accounts for the onset and maintenance of mental health disorders. The interplay between ED, cannabis use and mental health has not been appraised in the young adult population and whether there are sex-dependent effects has yet to be examined. This study looked at whether ED mediates the association between past-month cannabis use and mental health, while considering sex as a moderator. 2,762 (64.2% women) undergraduate Spanish students completed an online battery. Among others, they fulfilled the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-28). A two-way ANOVA assessed the effects of sex and past-month cannabis use on participants' DASS-21 scores. A set of moderated mediations tested whether the indirect effect of past-month cannabis use on DASS-21 through DERS differed by sex. Past-month cannabis female users showed higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress (M = 51.10, SD = 26.72) than did men [(M = 33.76, SD = 20.31); F(1, 2758) = 5.119, p =.024, η²p =.002]. In female young adults only, the effect of past-month cannabis use on mental health was mediated by ED (total score), non-acceptance of emotional responses, lack of emotional control, difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior, and lack of emotional clarity (all p's < 0.005) CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the importance of considering ED in assessment and intervention practices. Interventions targeting ED may be particularly effective for female young adult cannabis users.