Distress Intolerance: Measurement and Aetiology of a Five-Factor Bifactor Model

This thesis reports on six studies that have examined a new conceptualisation of distress intolerance, the measurement issues in this area and the relation networks of distress intolerance. In particular, the studies address three issues which are fundamental to understanding the nature of distress intolerance. Furthermore, an examination of these issues is essential if a fully comprehensive account of distress intolerance, which is currently not well specified, is to be gained. The first issue to be addressed is insularity and the multifaceted conceptualisation of distress intolerance. This issue was investigated in Study One, whereby a new conceptualisation of distress intolerance was employed. The second issue here pertains to measuring the construct of distress intolerance. This issue was investigated in Studies One, Two and Three. Study One introduced the Distress Intolerance Five Factor – Short (DIFF-S), as a parsimonious measure of the general factor and the five facets of distress intolerance. Study Two supported the concurrent and construct validity and the test–retest reliability of the DIFF-S. Study Three suggested that the DIFF-S demonstrates an association with the Mirror-Tracing Persistence Task and the Cold Pressor Task. The third issue here is the relation networks of distress intolerance as they relate to other relevant constructs. This was investigated in Studies Four, Five and Six. Study Four suggests that there is an emphasis on neuroticism in predicting general distress intolerance and the majority of the distress intolerance facets. Study Five suggests the involvement of attentional networks and directed attention in the structure of the five facets of distress intolerance. Study Six reveal that, retrospectively, the mechanisms of the family of origin and parental bonding are involved in the five facets of distress intolerance. Overall, this thesis provides an advanced solution as to the conceptualisation and measurement issues of distress intolerance and also explores its relation networks.