Cited by 360Resilience and Mental HealthAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

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Distress Tolerance: Theory, Measurement, and Relations to Psychopathology

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Zvolensky, Michael J., Vujanovic, Anka A., Bernstein, Amit, Leyro, Teresa·2010·Current Directions in Psychological Science

DOI 10.1177/0963721410388642PMC PMC7978414

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Abstract

In this article we present the theoretical and empirical bases of distress tolerance research. Although distress tolerance offers a promising lens through which to better understand various psychological symptoms and disorders, further theoretical development and empirical inquiry is needed to promote our understanding of the construct. Overall, a number of questions regarding its theoretical conceptualization and measurement, associations with related constructs and psychopathology, and role(s) in therapeutic change and intervention remain unanswered. Directions for future research are discussed to stimulate further empirical study on this theoretically and clinically promising topic.

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Background
The mediating role of distress intolerance in the bidirectional relationships between loneliness and short-form video addiction
Zhao, Y., Wang, Z., Feng, N., Griffiths, M. D., & Cui, L. (2025) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-025-10512-3 · Cited by 6
“One possible mediator is distress intolerance, which is defined as the inability to bear psychological suffering and averse states (Zvolensky et al., 2010 ).”
Do appearance related safety behaviors contribute to distress intolerance? A Multi-method examination.
Patel, T. A., Zech, J. M., & Cougle, J. R. (2024) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2024.104617 · Cited by 4
From scrolling to self-injury: longitudinal relationship between smartphone addiction and adolescent non-suicidal self-injury
Gu, H., Chen, Z., Hu, Y., & Cheng, Y. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-026-09148-9 · Cited by 6
“Distress tolerance refers to an individual’s perceived and actual ability to with-stand psychological and physiological distress (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Protective Factors in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Multi-study Analysis of Conscientiousness, Distress Tolerance, and Self-CompassionPreprint
Southward, M. W., Howard, K. P., Christensen, K. A., & Cheavens, J. S. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.067 · Cited by 8
Cross-national examination of the Distress Tolerance Scale using Rasch methodology
Oorjitham, S., Medvedev, O. N., Bravo, A. J., Cross-Cultural Addictions Study Team, Conway, C., Henson, J. M., Hogarth, L., Ibáñez, M. I., Kaminer, D., Keough, M. T., et al. (2024) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-024-05894-w · Cited by 5
Self-assessed threshold for cold temperatures and thermal insulation of clothing among poultry workers
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Conflicting health information increases fear of disease progression in HPV-infected individuals: disease uncertainty as mediator and tolerance of uncertainty as buffer
Huai, L., Liao, S., Lyu, X., Yang, T., & Fu, C. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1532592 · Cited by 7
“Tolerance of Uncertainty refers to an individual’s capacity to endure uncertain situations, manifested in individual differences across cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses (32, 33).”
Impact of workplace bullying on intrusive thoughts and ideation of anti-corporate activities: A function of hotel workers’ distress and emotion regulation
Kim, S., Chiriko, A. Y., Quan, W., Yu, J., & Han, H. (2025) · International Journal of Hospitality Management · doi:10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104320 · Cited by 5
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Slabbert, A., Hasking, P. A., Notebaert, L., & Boyes, M. E. (2021) · Journal of Experimental Psychopathology · doi:10.1177/20438087211007597 · Cited by 5
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Background
Interrelation between intolerance of uncertainty and the time perspective profile in the military
Hromova, H. (2022) · Current Issues in Personality Psychology · doi:10.5114/cipp.2021.111984 · Cited by 5
The Relationship between Health Anxiety and Perceived Stress with Moral Distress in Emergency Nurses: The Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance
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“Tolerance of turbulence is increasingly seen as an important structure in developing new insights about the onset and maintenance of psychological trauma and prevention and treatment [21].”
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McCarty, K. N., Stevens, A. K., Gunn, R. L., Borsari, B. E., & Metrik, J. (2023) · Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs · doi:10.15288/jsad.22-00257 · Cited by 7
Factor structure and initial validation of a brief measure of perceived emotional and physical distress tolerance in post-9/11 US Veterans
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“…(e.g. Cougle, Bernstein, Zvolensky, Vujanovic, & MacAtee, 2013; Mitchell et al., 2013), suggesting emotional and physical distress tolerance may be two orthogonal lower-order factors subsumed within a higher-order distress tolerance construct (Zvolensky,Vujanovic, Bernstein, & Leyro, 2010).”
BackgroundInfluential
Anger, Frustration Intolerance, Global Evaluation of Human Worth and Externalizing Behaviors in Preadolescence
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“(6) point out to distress tolerance as a network risk and protection process such as avoidance coping, anxiety sensitivity, and emotional regulation.”
Background
Parent Distress Intolerance, Repetitive Negative Thinking, and Mental Health Service Use
Patel, Z. S., Casline, E. P., Jensen‐Doss, A., & Timpano, K. R. (2020) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-020-01017-1 · Cited by 5
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Sommers, B. (2017) · doi:10.32597/dissertations/1633 · Cited by 5
“They also examined the fivefactor model which was proposed by Zvolensky et al. (2010) and supported by Bardeen et al. (2013).”
BackgroundMethod
Associations of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences with Transdiagnostic Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems in Black American Adults
Dieujuste, N., Ejadi, G., Narayan, A. J., & Doom, J. R. (2025) · Adversity and Resilience Science · doi:10.1007/s42844-025-00171-6 · Cited by 6
“Distress tolerance, the ability to withstand negative emotional states (Zvolensky et al., 2010), has like-wise been investigated cross-sectionally in the association between childhood maltreatment and PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use in adulthood (Robinson et al., 2021).”
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Morris, P. E., Vargo, L. A., & Buckner, J. D. (2024) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2024.2320400 · Cited by 4
“Given that individuals with low levels of distress tolerance experience difficulty enduring negative affective states (e.g. Simons & Arens, 2007; Zvolensky et al., 2010), they may use cannabis in an attempt to manage their distress.”
Background
The relationship between distress tolerance and life satisfaction among young adults in Saudi Arabia
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Distress Tolerance as a Risk Factor for Specific Internet-Use Disorders
Hew, Y. C., & Chew, P. K. H. (2025) · Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science · doi:10.1007/s41347-025-00489-z · Cited by 4
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“In prior literature, both AS and DI have been linked with maladaptive stress responding (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
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Sifat, M., Ehlke, S. J., Ogunsanya, M. E., Frank-Pearce, S. G., Boozary, L. K., Alexander, A. C., Businelle, M. S., & Kendzor, D. E. (2023) · Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · doi:10.1007/s40615-022-01496-z · Cited by 5
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Li, C., Gu, J., Li, Y., Xia, B., & Meng, X. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1351116 · Cited by 4
“Distress tolerance (DT) refers to the perceived and actual capability to withstand aversive physical and psychological states (29, 30), including uncertainty, ambiguity, frustration, negative emotion, physical discomfort (31).”
Background
The moderating role of smoking amount per day on the relations between anxiety sensitivity, smoking dependence, and cognitive–affective aspects of smoking among treatment seeking smokers
Brandt, C. P., Bakhshaie, J., Garey, L., Schmidt, N. B., Leventhal, A. M., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2015) · Addictive Behaviors Reports · doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2015.03.006 · Cited by 6
Self-citation
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Clifton, E. G., & Feeny, N. C. (2014) · Clinical Case Studies · doi:10.1177/1534650114556479 · Cited by 4
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“, 2015) and positively associated with suicidal ideation within both nonclinical and clinical adult populations (Anestis & Joiner, 2012; Capron et al., 2013; Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Background
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Joshanloo, M. (2022) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-022-10069-5 · Cited by 4
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The association of emotion regulation with distress tolerance depends on a neural correlate of cognitive control
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“…(Helsen et al., 2011), social reinforcers might arguably be more potent in the social-verbal community (Greer, 2020) the learning history around avoidance of social discomfort (Kirk et al., 2019) might differ from the learning history of avoiding physical discomfort (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Modeling state‐ and trait‐level associations between aggression, somatic symptoms, substance use, and distress tolerance
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Smits, J. A. J., Kauffman, B. Y., Lee-Furman, E., Zvolensky, M. J., Otto, M. W., Piper, M. E., Powers, M. B., & Rosenfield, D. (2016) · Contemporary Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/j.cct.2016.03.011 · Cited by 4
Self-citation
Registered Report Stage II: A within-person model of distress tolerance and non-suicidal self-injury among adults with recurrent self-injury
Conway, C., Ilagan, G. S., Rabasco, A., Lopez, M. M., Goodrich, M., Kuehn, K. S., & King, K. M. (2025) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2025.104623 · Cited by 3
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del Valle, M. V., Zamora, E. V., Urquijo, S., Olsen, C. D., López‐Morales, H., & Andrés, M. L. (2022) · Roczniki Psychologiczne · doi:10.18290/rpsych2022.0013 · Cited by 3
“DT is defined as the ability to tolerate, resist, or endure unpleasant emotion states in order to achieve goals (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Influential
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“DI is a particularly broad-based predictor of pathology and negative health behaviors and can be assessed with any number of measures considered within the domain of DI (Bernstein et al., 2009 ; McHugh & Otto, 2011; Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Self-citation
Frustration Intolerance Scale for Students
Trip, S., Bora, C. H., & Gabriel, R. (2025) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.70028 · Cited by 3
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Effects of emotion, emotional tolerance, and emotional processing on reasoning
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“Distress tolerance, as typically conceptualised in the literature, involves two components: (i) one’s self-perceived efficacy regarding the tolerance of distress, and (ii) the use of certain behaviours to avoid it (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Background
Negative urgency, distress tolerance, and symptoms of substance use, eating, and borderline personality disorders in treatment‐seeking young people
Mattingley, S., Youssef, G. J., Graeme, L. G., Sloan, E., Manning, V., & Hall, K. (2023) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.23579 · Cited by 3
Validity of the distress tolerance inventory in predicting response to the Cold-Pressor Test
Siegel, E., Cassidy, G. P., & Telch, M. J. (2024) · Cognitive Behaviour Therapy · doi:10.1080/16506073.2024.2333963 · Cited by 3
“…to tolerate emotional or physical distress (Leyro et al., 2010) and encompasses several more narrow-band constructs including tolerance of uncertainty, tolerance of frustration, tolerance of ambiguity, tolerance of aversive emotions, and tolerance of physical discomfort (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
The Effect of Self Esteem Group Therapy on Distress Tolerance of Broken Home Teenagers
Abdullah, E. S. P. S., Winarsunu, T., & Yuniardi, M. S. (2020) · UMM Institutional Repository (University of Maine at Machias) · Cited by 3
Tolerancia al estrés y satisfacción con la vida como predictores del impacto por el confinamiento debido al COVID-19
González, M. T. R., Hernández, R. L., & Berumen, L. D. C. Q. (2021) · Ansiedad y Estrés · doi:10.5093/anyes2021a1 · Cited by 3
“Las personas con bajos niveles de tolerancia al estrés pueden ser propensos a responder de forma desadaptativa al estrés (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
The Mediating Roles of Affect Lability and Experiential Avoidance Between Distress Tolerance and Suicidal Ideation Among College Students
Baker, S. N., Burr, E. K., Leon, A. N. D., Leary, A. V., Rozek, D. C., & Dvorak, R. D. (2023) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.1177/00332941231216671 · Cited by 3
“Distress tolerance is typically de ﬁ ned as the perceived and behavioral ability to which individuals can tolerate aversive or negative emotional states (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
The Association Between Distress Tolerance and Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: A Three-level Meta-analysis
Li, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhao, J., Du, X., Shi, C., Lai, L., Liu, X., Cai, Z., Chen, A., & Ren, Z. (2024) · Adolescent Research Review · doi:10.1007/s40894-024-00252-0 · Cited by 2
“Perceived distress tolerance is domain-specific and includes five lower-order dimensions: tolerance of uncertainty (Buhr & Dugas, 2002), ambiguity (Furnham & Marks, 2013), frustration (Zvolensky et al., 2010), negative emotion (Simons & Gaher, 2005), and physical discomfort (Schmidt et al., 2007).”
Psychometric investigation of the avoidance and inflexibility scale (AIS) for cocaine use
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“Distress tolerance refers to one’s perceived ability to endure negative emotions or other aversive experiences (Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Developmental trajectories of adolescent problematic mobile phone use and their longitudinal associations with intolerance of uncertainty and distress tolerance: The moderating role of early‐life environmental unpredictability
Xie, Z., Bi, K., & Cui, L. (2025) · Journal of Research on Adolescence · doi:10.1111/jora.70092 · Cited by 4
Impacts of Distress Intolerance and Anxiety Sensitivity on the Maintenance and Treatment of Youth Misophonia
Cepeda, S. L., Milgram, L., Bigler, M. E., Tonarely, N. A., Lewin, A. B., & Ehrenreich, J. T. (2026) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.70095 · Cited by 2
Assessing Physical Pain Perception and Psychological Distress Tolerance through the MMPI-2-RF: A Comparison of Multimethod Measures
Anestis, J. C., Harrop, T. M., Preston, O. C., Bulla, B. A., & Rodriguez, T. R. (2021) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1080/00223891.2021.1905653 · Cited by 2
“…the ability (perceived or behavioral) to endure a variety of aversive internal or external states (e.g., negative emotions, frustration, discomfort; Zvolensky et al., 2010), is considered to be a transdiagnostic domain contributing to the development and maintenance of a wide variety of…”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Distress Tolerance
Rappaport, L. M., Berenz, E. C., Lejuez, C. W., & Roberson‐Nay, R. (2018) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108140416.009 · Cited by 3
Development and preliminary validation of a scale to assess physicians’ emotional distress intolerance in end-of-life care communication
Brondolo, E. N., Keating, L., Crete, A., Kaur, A., Randrianarivony, R., Statman, D., Schwartz, J. E., Basello, G., & Roth, A. R. (2022) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951522000219 · Cited by 2
I know why the caged bird sings: Distress tolerant individuals show greater resting state connectivity between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and right amygdala as a function of higher vagal tone
McIntosh, R. C., Hoshi, R. A., Nomi, J. S., Goodman, Z., Kornfeld, S., & Vidot, D. C. (2023) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112274 · Cited by 2
The influence of daily traumas among Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot journalists residing in a divided and conflicted environment
Yontucu, H., & Ersoy, M. (2025) · International Communication Gazette · doi:10.1177/17480485241302695 · Cited by 2
“…tolerance (DT) refers to the perceived or objective capacity of an individual to endure negative physical or emotional states (Leyro et al., 2010; Zvolensky et al., 2010) and it is a cognitive-behavioural and maintenance factor for a broad range of mental health problems (Zvolensky and Hogan,…”
The Synergistic Relationship of Disgust Propensity and Distress Intolerance with Contamination-Related Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms
Broos, H. C., Milgram, L., Port, J. H., & Timpano, K. R. (2025) · Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment · doi:10.1007/s10862-025-10202-2 · Cited by 2
“…literature has noted a distinction between perceived (i.e., self-reported) and “actual” (i.e., behavioral) distress intolerance, each of which may represent distinct facets of distress intolerance with distinct clinical and mechanistic correlates (Leyro et al., 2010; Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
A Psychometric Investigation of the Distress Tolerance Scale Short Form (DTS-SF): Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure in a Trauma-Exposed Sample
Byllesby, B. M., Charak, R., Cano-González, I., & Christ, N. M. (2025) · Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment · doi:10.1007/s10862-025-10226-8 · Cited by 2
“Distress tolerance refers to one’s perceived or actual ability to withstand or tolerate aversive emotions or physical states (Leyro et al., 2010; Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Distress Tolerance as a Predictor of Depressive and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in a Substance Use Disorder In-Patient Treatment Sample
Dolan, S. L. (2014) · Journal of Traumatic Stress Disorders & Treatment · doi:10.4172/2324-8947.1000123 · Cited by 2
“Individuals with higher levels of DT may possess greater capabilities to withstand aversive emotional states and engage healthy coping techniques that increase their resilience to symptoms such as hyperarousal and reexperiencing, or alternatively have high self-esteem in their ability to withstand aversive experiences…”
Background
Distress Intolerance and Cannabis Use: An Initial Empirical Investigation
Hogan, J. (2015) · ScholarWorks -A service of University of Vermont Libraries (University of Vermont) · Cited by 2
Relations Between Parental Distress Intolerance, Adolescent Motives for Cigarette Use, and Adolescent Cigarette Smoking Levels
Bilsky, S. A., Cloutier, R. M., Guillot, C. R., Bynion, T., & Lewis, S. F. (2019) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2019.1638937 · Cited by 3
The moderating role of proactive coping on the relationship between distress tolerance and elevated blood pressure
Onyedibe, M. C. (2019) · Journal of Psychology in Africa · doi:10.1080/14330237.2019.1616426 · Cited by 2
Two aspects of distress tolerance: The relationship between subjective cognition and behavioral response
정지현, & Kwon, S. (2015) · The Korean Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.15842/kjcp.2015.34.1.011 · Cited by 2
Elevated integration within the reward network underlies vulnerability to distress
Kozak, S., Dezachyo, O., Stanford, W., Bar‐Haim, Y., Censor, N., & Dayan, E. (2022) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bhac460 · Cited by 2
Distress Tolerance and Family Accommodation: Associations in Parents of Young People with Eating Disorder BehavioursPreprint
Zinser, J., Hale, L. S., & Jones, C. J. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2033435/v1 · Cited by 2
The relationship between distress tolerance and behavioral activation on anxiety and depression symptomatology in autistic youth: Leveraging self and caregiver perspectives
Schwartzman, J. M., Antezana, L., & Conner, C. M. (2024) · Autism Research · doi:10.1002/aur.3208 · Cited by 1
“…example, as DT captures tolerance for several aversive constructs (i.e., uncertainty, ambiguity, frustration, negative emotion, physical discomfort; Zvolensky et al., 2010), it will be important for future work to further disentangle this construct and identify altered neurobiological mechanisms…”
Influential
The role of emotional distress tolerance in the development of major depressive disorder in university students
Cadieux, M.-È., Leblanc, M., Bourgeois, C., & Vézina-Gagnon, P. (2021) · Journal of Interpersonal Relations Intergroup Relations and Identity · doi:10.33921/jhyb1960 · Cited by 1
PSIKOEDUKASI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN TOLERANSI DISTRES PADA REMAJA DI PANTI ASUHAN
Pesau, H. G., Sastaviana, D., & Panglewai, M. M. L. (2023) · ABDIMAS UNWAHAS · doi:10.31942/abd.v8i1.8588 · Cited by 1
Effect of a Novel Somatic Avatar Training on Distress Tolerance Among Unhoused Men Recovering from Substance use Disorders: A Pilot Study
Wang, W., Henson, A., Ondrusek, A. R., Tisato, M., Kaufman, R., Barrett, A. J., Elowsky, J., & McChargue, D. E. (2024) · Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science · doi:10.1007/s41347-024-00435-5 · Cited by 2
“Distress intolerance, the reduced capacity to withstand negative emotions without the desire to change them (Leyro et al., 2010; Zvolensky et al., 2010), is a proximal factor of negatively reinforced SU (Leyro et al., 2011; Simons & Gaher, 2005).”
Enjoying the present or saving for the future: the influence of luck perception on intertemporal choice
Zhao, J., He, J., Li, Z., & Lu, M. (2024) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-024-07069-z · Cited by 1
“Uncertainty tolerance refers to the coping atti - tudes of individuals reflected in their emotions, cognition, and behavioral tendencies when facing uncertain situations (Zvolensky et al., 2010 ).”
ÖZEL GEREKSİNİMLİ ÇOCUĞU OLAN EBEVEYNLERİN SIKINTIYA DAYANMA DÜZEYLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Avcanok, M., Nuri, C., Bağlama, B., & Rüştioğlu, O. (2025) · EKEV Akademi Dergisi · doi:10.17753/sosekev.1455947 · Cited by 1
Perceived Control, Distress Tolerance, and Anxiety Sensitivity: Evaluating Longitudinal Associations with Posttraumatic Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Senger, A. R., Jo, D., Zvolensky, M. J., & Gallagher, M. W. (2025) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-025-10644-8 · Cited by 1
Self-citation
The Development of Emotion Regulation and Related Constructs as Mechanisms Underlying the Pathway of Risk from Childhood Maltreatment to Alcohol Use Disorder
Kliamovich, D., Gaillard, M., Tenekedjieva, L., Dean, J. A., & Nagel, B. J. (2025) · Annual Review of Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-devpsych-111323-090945 · Cited by 1
Decisions Under Radical Uncertainty: The Role of Volitional Liminality in Radical Innovation
Rosa, J. A., Jara, M. F. D. L. C., & Spanjol, J. (2025) · Journal of Product Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/jpim.70012 · Cited by 2
Machine learning regression models for internal shame
Kovač, N., Ratković, K., Farahani, H., & Watson, P. (2025) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105721 · Cited by 2
Emotional Challenges Experienced along the Diabetes Technology Journey by Caregivers of Black and Hispanic/Latino Youth with Type 1 Diabetes
Durante, A. J., MAYNARD, M. G., Liu, S. S., Pereira, S. C., Regelmann, M. O., & Chen, C. W. (2026) · Hormone Research in Paediatrics · doi:10.1159/000550507 · Cited by 1
Distress Intolerance Is Associated With a Greater Reward Positivity to Aversive Avoidance Feedback
Albanese, B. J., Porro, D., Johnson, D. H., Clausen, B. K., Vujanovic, A. A., & Macatee, R. J. (2026) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.70236 · Cited by 1
“1 In addition, DASS depression (e.g., Foa et al. 2006; Proudfit 2015; Zvolensky et al. 2010), DASS anxiety (e.g., Foa et al. 2006; Zvolensky et al. 2010), and trauma history (i.e., number of endorsed traumatic event types experienced; Vujanovic et al. 2018) were entered as independent variables to…”
Self-citation
Longitudinal associations of physical and emotional distress tolerance with pain intensity and pain-related disability in United States combat veterans
Wild, M. G., Mendoza, C., Herbert, M. S., & Creech, S. K. (2026) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-026-00684-0 · Cited by 1
Distress Intolerance, Social Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: Evidence from Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel and Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analyses
Tian, X., Chen, J., Wang, B., Wan, X., & Wang, S. (2026) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-026-02391-0 · Cited by 1
“…the findings showed that elevated social anxiety and depressive symptoms prospectively predicted subsequent increases in distress intolerance, extending prior conceptualizations of distress intolerance beyond a unidirectional upstream risk factor (Trafton & Gif-ford, 2011; Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
The Relationship between God Attachment, Transdiagnostic Processes, and Symptoms of Psychopathology among Christian Adults
Knabb, J. J., Boyd, H. R., Duvall, K. S., & Lowell, J. R. (2022) · Journal of Psychology and Theology · doi:10.1177/00916471221124084 · Cited by 4
“To date, the transdiagnostic movement has identified a variety of problematic patterns of cognition, affect, and behavior that may help to explain the etiology and maintenance of mental disorders (Ehring & Watkins, 2008; Gamez et al., 2011; Zvolensky et al., 2010).”
Evaluating competing models of distress tolerance via structural equation modeling
Wesner, E., Pavuluri, A., Norwood, E., Schmidt, B., & Bernat, E. M. (2023) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.040 · Cited by 4
Examining Intolerance of Uncertainty as a System of Interacting Beliefs: A Network Analysis Among 108,540 Adolescents
Ye, H., Ding, J., Liu, Y., Cai, Z., Jiang, N., Cheng, T., He, S., You, R., Yu, W., Liu, W., et al. (2023) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-023-10436-y · Cited by 2
Frustration tolerance among computer-science-related novice university students
Ossovski, E., & Brinkmeier, M. (2024) · European Journal of Engineering Education · doi:10.1080/03043797.2024.2319673 · Cited by 1
“Evanovich et al. (2019) described several instruments for self-reported and experimental measurement of Distress Tolerance.”
Influential
The association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and distress tolerance in traumatic stress treatment
Byllesby, B. M., & Palmieri, P. A. (2024) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.23092 · Cited by 1
Distress intolerance amplifies the effect of momentary anxiety on momentary cigarette craving among females who smoke cigarettes
Altman, B. R., Smith, J. E., Rogers, A. H., DiBello, A. M., Gette, J. A., Abrantes, A. M., Leyro, T. M., & Farris, S. G. (2025) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108421 · Cited by 1
Self-citation

Authors: Zvolensky, M. J., Vujanovic, A. A., Bernstein, A., & Leyro, T.
Affiliations: University of Vermont (US)
Boston University (US)
University of Haifa (IL)
Corresponding author: Zvolensky, Michael J.
ORCID: Zvolensky, Michael J.
Vujanovic, Anka A.
Bernstein, Amit
Leyro, Teresa
Venue: Current Directions in Psychological Science
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2010-12
Volume: 19
Issue: 6
Pages: 406-410
ISSN: 0963-7214 (ISSN-L)
1467-8721
DOI: 10.1177/0963721410388642
PMC: PMC7978414
OpenAlex: W2144595430
Cited by: 357
References: 16
Citations by year: 2026: 33 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 9
FWCI: 14.44
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Current Directions in Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Institutes of Health (5r01da027533-04)
National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH076629)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01-DA027533, F31DA024919)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords: distress tolerance, psychological distress, psychopathology, therapeutic change, psychological intervention, theoretical conceptualization

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Distress Tolerance: Theory, Measurement, and Relations to Psychopathology

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