Distress tolerance: Theory, Mechanism and Relation to Psychopathology

Distress tolerance refers to the degree to which an individual is able to withstand negative psychological and or physical states. Distress tolerance has increasingly been viewed as an important construct in developing new insights about the onset and maintenance of psycho pathology as well as its prevention and treatment. This article aims to review the theoretical and empirical bases of distress tolerance research. The research method is library studies and taking notes and reading documents. Inspection of the scientific literature indicates that there are a number of promising ways to conceptualize and measure distress tolerance, as well as relations between distress tolerance and psychopathological symptoms and disorders. But there also is notable conceptual and operational heterogeneity across the distress tolerance literature. A number of basic questions remain regarding the conceptual and operational definitions of the construct, its relations to other constructs and processes, its relations to psychopathology vulnerability and resilience, and its role as a treatment and preventive intervention target. Thus, the current paper provides a comprehensive review of past and contemporary theory and research and proposes key areas for future empirical study of this construct. Future research will make important contributions to our understanding of distress tolerance(s) and its role(s) in psychopathology vulnerability and resilience.