Greater negative affect reduction expectancies moderate the interactive relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and distress tolerance in predicting loss-of-control eating

Loss-of-control eating (LOCE) is often conceptualized as a negative reinforcement mechanism. However, LOCE does not consistently reduce negative affect (NA). One explanation for continued LOCE, despite a lack of NA reduction, may be expectations of NA reduction. Emotion regulation difficulties and low distress tolerance often predict LOCE, but have not been examined in the context of NA reduction expectancies. This study examined the main and interactive relationships between emotion regulation difficulties, distress tolerance, and NA reduction expectancies on LOCE in US adults (n =3331). Results indicate NA reduction expectancies are robust, eclipsing the predictive effects of other emotion regulation variables.