Objective: To explore the mediating role of emotional lability in the relationship between adult ADHD symptoms, and cannabis and alcohol consumption.Method: Emotional lability and concurrent cannabis and alcohol consumption were measured as part of the ecological momentary assessment study, ‘Decades to Minutes’; embedded within the longitudinal z-proso study. Adults (n = 289, aged 20) completed measures of concurrent alcohol and cannabis consumption, and emotional lability at four quasi-random time periods per day, over a 14-day period. ADHD symptoms were retrieved from the participants’ corresponding z-proso data. Results: Structural equation modelling revealed that ADHD symptoms, but not emotional lability, had a direct effect on concurrent cannabis use. Contrastingly, emotional lability, but not ADHD symptoms, had a direct effect on concurrent alcohol use. Conclusion: Results highlight the differing effects of emotional lability in the association between ADHD symptoms and different types of substance use. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
An ecological momentary assessment study of the role of emotional dysregulation in co-occurring ADHD and internalising symptoms in adulthood
