Sensitivity of a behavioural measure of frustration tolerance

Heightened negative emotionality, a core domain of the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA) framework of the neuropathology of substance use disorder, is a key contributor to problematic alcohol use (Kwako et al., 2016). The current study aims to validate a measure of frustration tolerance, a subconstruct of negative emotionality, the Mirror Tracing Persistence Task- Computerised (MTPT-C), with a view to easily assess negative emotionality dysfunctions to facilitate tailoring treatment to individual needs. Participants (n=187) aged 21-64 were recruited through an online survey recruitment site to complete the MTPT-C and survey measures of alcohol use problems and emotional regulation difficulties. Our primary hypothesis that the MTPT-C would have a moderate, significant relationship with alcohol problems was not supported (r = -0.12, p = 0.096, 95% CI [-0.26, 0.02]), possibly reflective of a low level of alcohol problems in the sample. Increased impulsive behaviours, a risk and consequence of low distress tolerance, was weakly correlated with alcohol use (r = -0.15, p = 0.039, 95%CI[-0.29, -0.01]). The MTPT-C successfully induced frustration (d=2.05), and there was a high intraclass correlation between repeated performances (ICC = .78, 95%CI [0.69, 0.85], p<.001), with negligible effects of retesting (d=0.006). Assessment of task performance in a clinical population will be required before it can be determined if it will be a useful assessment in a treatment context.