The Development of Emotion Regulation and Related Constructs as Mechanisms Underlying the Pathway of Risk from Childhood Maltreatment to Alcohol Use Disorder

Childhood maltreatment is known to be an important risk factor for the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adulthood. Due to the extensive adverse health consequences associated with AUD, understanding the intermediary processes that heighten risk for problematic alcohol use in the wake of childhood maltreatment is critical for informing effective prevention and intervention strategies. In this review, we explore how the experience of abuse and/or neglect during early life can disrupt the normative development of emotion regulation with evidence from psychological, neurobiological, and social research. We also highlight distress tolerance and negative urgency as key factors in the risk pathway from childhood maltreatment to adult AUD. Finally, we discuss the clinical implications of this framework, offer insights for future research, and suggest promising treatment targets.