Alcohol misuse as dysfunctional affect regulation: a network analysis of psychopathology across adulthood

Findings support the conceptualization of alcohol misuse as a dysfunctional affect regulation strategy, particularly in relation to depressive symptoms. These results align with transdiagnostic models of emotional dysregulation and reinforce the need for preventive interventions focused on emotion regulation skills, particularly among younger adults and individuals with comorbid mental health conditions.