Distress Intolerance Is Associated With a Greater Reward Positivity to Aversive Avoidance Feedback

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• The reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential reflecting reward processing, elicited by both gains and avoidance of aversive outcomes.
• Distress intolerance (DI) is a key risk factor for maladaptive avoidance strategies in psychopathology.
• Limited research has explored the connection between differential reward responses and DI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between distress intolerance (DI) and reward processing during tasks involving monetary gain/loss and aversive outcome avoidance.
• To examine if DI specifically relates to reward responses associated with avoiding negative stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Young adults (n=102) completed a monetary doors task and an aversive avoidance doors task.
• The reward positivity (RewP) and P300 event-related potentials were extracted from EEG data.
• Distress intolerance (DI) was assessed using self-report measures.

Main Results:

• Higher self-reported DI was associated with a larger "Avoidance RewP" (response to avoiding aversive stimuli).
• Elevated DI also correlated with a larger P300 response to aversive avoidance feedback.
• No significant associations were found between DI and responses to monetary feedback.

Conclusions:

• Elevated distress intolerance is linked to exaggerated neural reward activation specifically for avoidance-related feedback.
• The "Avoidance RewP" may serve as a useful neural marker for understanding DI and disruptions in negative reinforcement processes.
• These findings contribute to understanding the neural underpinnings of maladaptive avoidance in psychopathology.