#negativeurgency — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #negativeurgency, aggregated by home.social.
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DATE: July 24, 2026 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Compulsive gamers and gamblers share similar traits, but different emotional triggers
A study in Ecuador involving gamblers and video gamers found that positive-affect urgency, an aspect of impulsivity, plays a larger role in gambling-related compulsivity, whereas negative urgency is more important in gaming-related compulsivity. The paper was published in Psychological Reports.
Impulsivity is the tendency to act quickly without fully considering possible consequences. One popular theoretical model of impulsivity (the UPPS-P model) posits that impulsivity consists of five related, but distinct aspects: negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking.
Negative urgency is the tendency to act rashly when experiencing distress, anger, anxiety, or other strong negative emotions. Positive urgency refers to impulsive behavior triggered by intense positive emotions, such as excitement or euphoria. Lack of premeditation means acting without sufficiently thinking ahead or weighing the likely results of one’s actions. Lack of perseverance involves difficulty maintaining attention and completing demanding or monotonous tasks. Sensation seeking is the desire for novel, exciting, or risky experiences.
María Jara-Rizzo, a researcher at the University of Guayaquil, and colleagues explored the extent to which impulsivity is associated with the compulsive features of problematic gambling behavior and problematic video game use. Compulsivity is the tendency to repeatedly perform behaviors despite little pleasure or benefit and despite harmful consequences. This happens because the behavior feels difficult to resist or relieves distress.
Study participants were 165 regular video gamers and 130 regular gamblers from the two largest cities in Ecuador. The average age of gamblers was 33 years, and 52 of them were women. The average age of video gamers was 23 years, and 39 of them were women.
To be included in the study, prospective participants needed to be over 18 years of age, not diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, or neurodegenerative disorders, and regularly engaging in either video gaming or gambling at least twice per week during the past 12 months. Participants who reported absolutely no symptoms of internet gaming disorder or gambling disorder were excluded from analyses. The researchers noted that 54% of gamblers met the diagnostic cutoff for gambling disorder, while 15% of gamers met the cutoff for internet gaming disorder.
Participants completed an online survey in which they reported their demographic information, frequencies of their gaming or gambling activity, and assessments of impulsivity, compulsivity, and symptoms of gambling and internet gaming disorders.
Results showed that gamblers tended to show more pronounced compulsivity compared to gamers. However, the two groups did not differ in average levels of any of the five aspects of impulsivity. Of the five aspects of impulsivity, more pronounced positive and negative urgency were associated with higher compulsivity.
The researchers created a statistical model for predicting compulsivity from impulsivity, age, sex, and whether the person was a gambler or a video gamer. Results showed that, on the whole sample, positive urgency was a significant predictor.
However, looking at the groups separately, positive urgency was a more important predictor of compulsivity in the group of gamblers than in the group of video gamers. In contrast, negative urgency was more strongly associated with compulsivity among gamers.
“The present findings demonstrate that while gamblers and gamers do not differ globally in impulsivity, compulsivity is higher among gamblers and its association with urgency facets differs across groups,” the study authors concluded. “These results suggest that executive dysfunction and positive-affect urgency play a larger role in gambling-related compulsivity, whereas negative urgency and maladaptive regulation of distress are more salient in gaming.”
The researchers explain that the link between negative urgency and gaming suggests that compulsive gaming functions primarily as a strategy to manage distress rather than to seek reward. Conversely, the association between positive urgency and gambling aligns with established models of frontostriatal dysfunction, where hypersensitivity to reward cues weakens voluntary control.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the links between compulsivity and impulsivity. However, it should be noted that the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results. It is also limited by the fact that the two groups differed significantly in their levels of clinical severity, with a much higher percentage of gamblers meeting the diagnostic cutoff for a disorder than gamers.
The paper, “Differences in the Relationship Between Impulsivity and Compulsivity Between Video Gamers and Gamblers,” was authored by María Jara-Rizzo, Diego Erazo-Pérez, Jose C. Perales, and Jose A. Rodas.
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #Impulsivity #Compulsivity #GamblingVsGaming #PositiveUrgency #NegativeUrgency #UPPS-P #ExecutiveDysfunction #Frontostriatal #VideoGaming #GamblingDisorder
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DATE: July 24, 2026 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Compulsive gamers and gamblers share similar traits, but different emotional triggers
A study in Ecuador involving gamblers and video gamers found that positive-affect urgency, an aspect of impulsivity, plays a larger role in gambling-related compulsivity, whereas negative urgency is more important in gaming-related compulsivity. The paper was published in Psychological Reports.
Impulsivity is the tendency to act quickly without fully considering possible consequences. One popular theoretical model of impulsivity (the UPPS-P model) posits that impulsivity consists of five related, but distinct aspects: negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking.
Negative urgency is the tendency to act rashly when experiencing distress, anger, anxiety, or other strong negative emotions. Positive urgency refers to impulsive behavior triggered by intense positive emotions, such as excitement or euphoria. Lack of premeditation means acting without sufficiently thinking ahead or weighing the likely results of one’s actions. Lack of perseverance involves difficulty maintaining attention and completing demanding or monotonous tasks. Sensation seeking is the desire for novel, exciting, or risky experiences.
María Jara-Rizzo, a researcher at the University of Guayaquil, and colleagues explored the extent to which impulsivity is associated with the compulsive features of problematic gambling behavior and problematic video game use. Compulsivity is the tendency to repeatedly perform behaviors despite little pleasure or benefit and despite harmful consequences. This happens because the behavior feels difficult to resist or relieves distress.
Study participants were 165 regular video gamers and 130 regular gamblers from the two largest cities in Ecuador. The average age of gamblers was 33 years, and 52 of them were women. The average age of video gamers was 23 years, and 39 of them were women.
To be included in the study, prospective participants needed to be over 18 years of age, not diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, or neurodegenerative disorders, and regularly engaging in either video gaming or gambling at least twice per week during the past 12 months. Participants who reported absolutely no symptoms of internet gaming disorder or gambling disorder were excluded from analyses. The researchers noted that 54% of gamblers met the diagnostic cutoff for gambling disorder, while 15% of gamers met the cutoff for internet gaming disorder.
Participants completed an online survey in which they reported their demographic information, frequencies of their gaming or gambling activity, and assessments of impulsivity, compulsivity, and symptoms of gambling and internet gaming disorders.
Results showed that gamblers tended to show more pronounced compulsivity compared to gamers. However, the two groups did not differ in average levels of any of the five aspects of impulsivity. Of the five aspects of impulsivity, more pronounced positive and negative urgency were associated with higher compulsivity.
The researchers created a statistical model for predicting compulsivity from impulsivity, age, sex, and whether the person was a gambler or a video gamer. Results showed that, on the whole sample, positive urgency was a significant predictor.
However, looking at the groups separately, positive urgency was a more important predictor of compulsivity in the group of gamblers than in the group of video gamers. In contrast, negative urgency was more strongly associated with compulsivity among gamers.
“The present findings demonstrate that while gamblers and gamers do not differ globally in impulsivity, compulsivity is higher among gamblers and its association with urgency facets differs across groups,” the study authors concluded. “These results suggest that executive dysfunction and positive-affect urgency play a larger role in gambling-related compulsivity, whereas negative urgency and maladaptive regulation of distress are more salient in gaming.”
The researchers explain that the link between negative urgency and gaming suggests that compulsive gaming functions primarily as a strategy to manage distress rather than to seek reward. Conversely, the association between positive urgency and gambling aligns with established models of frontostriatal dysfunction, where hypersensitivity to reward cues weakens voluntary control.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the links between compulsivity and impulsivity. However, it should be noted that the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results. It is also limited by the fact that the two groups differed significantly in their levels of clinical severity, with a much higher percentage of gamblers meeting the diagnostic cutoff for a disorder than gamers.
The paper, “Differences in the Relationship Between Impulsivity and Compulsivity Between Video Gamers and Gamblers,” was authored by María Jara-Rizzo, Diego Erazo-Pérez, Jose C. Perales, and Jose A. Rodas.
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #Impulsivity #Compulsivity #GamblingVsGaming #PositiveUrgency #NegativeUrgency #UPPS-P #ExecutiveDysfunction #Frontostriatal #VideoGaming #GamblingDisorder
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DATE: July 24, 2026 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Compulsive gamers and gamblers share similar traits, but different emotional triggers
A study in Ecuador involving gamblers and video gamers found that positive-affect urgency, an aspect of impulsivity, plays a larger role in gambling-related compulsivity, whereas negative urgency is more important in gaming-related compulsivity. The paper was published in Psychological Reports.
Impulsivity is the tendency to act quickly without fully considering possible consequences. One popular theoretical model of impulsivity (the UPPS-P model) posits that impulsivity consists of five related, but distinct aspects: negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking.
Negative urgency is the tendency to act rashly when experiencing distress, anger, anxiety, or other strong negative emotions. Positive urgency refers to impulsive behavior triggered by intense positive emotions, such as excitement or euphoria. Lack of premeditation means acting without sufficiently thinking ahead or weighing the likely results of one’s actions. Lack of perseverance involves difficulty maintaining attention and completing demanding or monotonous tasks. Sensation seeking is the desire for novel, exciting, or risky experiences.
María Jara-Rizzo, a researcher at the University of Guayaquil, and colleagues explored the extent to which impulsivity is associated with the compulsive features of problematic gambling behavior and problematic video game use. Compulsivity is the tendency to repeatedly perform behaviors despite little pleasure or benefit and despite harmful consequences. This happens because the behavior feels difficult to resist or relieves distress.
Study participants were 165 regular video gamers and 130 regular gamblers from the two largest cities in Ecuador. The average age of gamblers was 33 years, and 52 of them were women. The average age of video gamers was 23 years, and 39 of them were women.
To be included in the study, prospective participants needed to be over 18 years of age, not diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, or neurodegenerative disorders, and regularly engaging in either video gaming or gambling at least twice per week during the past 12 months. Participants who reported absolutely no symptoms of internet gaming disorder or gambling disorder were excluded from analyses. The researchers noted that 54% of gamblers met the diagnostic cutoff for gambling disorder, while 15% of gamers met the cutoff for internet gaming disorder.
Participants completed an online survey in which they reported their demographic information, frequencies of their gaming or gambling activity, and assessments of impulsivity, compulsivity, and symptoms of gambling and internet gaming disorders.
Results showed that gamblers tended to show more pronounced compulsivity compared to gamers. However, the two groups did not differ in average levels of any of the five aspects of impulsivity. Of the five aspects of impulsivity, more pronounced positive and negative urgency were associated with higher compulsivity.
The researchers created a statistical model for predicting compulsivity from impulsivity, age, sex, and whether the person was a gambler or a video gamer. Results showed that, on the whole sample, positive urgency was a significant predictor.
However, looking at the groups separately, positive urgency was a more important predictor of compulsivity in the group of gamblers than in the group of video gamers. In contrast, negative urgency was more strongly associated with compulsivity among gamers.
“The present findings demonstrate that while gamblers and gamers do not differ globally in impulsivity, compulsivity is higher among gamblers and its association with urgency facets differs across groups,” the study authors concluded. “These results suggest that executive dysfunction and positive-affect urgency play a larger role in gambling-related compulsivity, whereas negative urgency and maladaptive regulation of distress are more salient in gaming.”
The researchers explain that the link between negative urgency and gaming suggests that compulsive gaming functions primarily as a strategy to manage distress rather than to seek reward. Conversely, the association between positive urgency and gambling aligns with established models of frontostriatal dysfunction, where hypersensitivity to reward cues weakens voluntary control.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the links between compulsivity and impulsivity. However, it should be noted that the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results. It is also limited by the fact that the two groups differed significantly in their levels of clinical severity, with a much higher percentage of gamblers meeting the diagnostic cutoff for a disorder than gamers.
The paper, “Differences in the Relationship Between Impulsivity and Compulsivity Between Video Gamers and Gamblers,” was authored by María Jara-Rizzo, Diego Erazo-Pérez, Jose C. Perales, and Jose A. Rodas.
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #Impulsivity #Compulsivity #GamblingVsGaming #PositiveUrgency #NegativeUrgency #UPPS-P #ExecutiveDysfunction #Frontostriatal #VideoGaming #GamblingDisorder
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Is Food Addiction Real? Just in Time for Thanksgiving!
Originally Published on November 25th, 2025 at 08:00 amFood Addiction: The “Addiction” We All Talk About
Many of us have joked about being “addicted” to ice cream or chips, describing an intense craving that feels impossible to resist. This common experience is at the heart of a serious scientific debate: Is Food Addiction (FA) a genuine addiction, similar to substance addiction?
The conversation has grown more complex as modern definitions of addiction have expanded.
Influential bodies like the American Society of Addiction Medicine no longer require the ingestion of a psychoactive substance for something to be considered an addiction. Similarly, behavioral addictions like gambling disorder are now formally recognized. This has intensified the scientific inquiry into whether addictive-like eating fits the same mold.
To find answers, a recent longitudinal study looked at the role of emotion regulation, how we handle our feelings, to compare food addiction and substance misuse.
The findings were surprising, revealing critical differences in the emotional pathways that drive these behaviors. This article breaks down the three most impactful takeaways that challenge what we think we know about food addiction.
1. The Counter-Intuitive Role of Positive Emotions in Food Addiction
Takeaway 1: Acting on a Good Mood Predicts Substance Misuse, But Deters Food Addiction.
One of the study’s most unexpected findings relates to “positive urgency.” It’s described as a psychological trait. One defined as the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong positive emotions, like feeling overjoyed or extremely happy.
The research, which tracked women over six months, found a striking divergence.
A one-unit increase in a person’s positive urgency score was associated with:
- A 100% to 200% increase in the odds of future alcohol or drug-related problems.
- A 50% decrease in the odds of future food addiction.
Why would feeling good lead to such different outcomes?
The researchers suggest it comes down to the reinforcing power of the substance or behavior.
Individuals high in positive urgency may seek to amplify or extend their good feelings, and psychoactive substances are far more effective at this than food.
The study’s authors explain: Women with greater positive urgency may tend to select psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs that can more effectively amplify or prolong their positive feelings, rather than food. Food’s effects are less potent and thus less reinforcing than psychoactive substances.
This discovery is significant because it highlights a fundamental difference in the emotional triggers for food addiction versus substance misuse.
While a good mood might increase the risk for substance misuse, it appears to have the opposite effect on addictive-like eating.
Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?
Look no further!
If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!
2. How We Judge Our Feelings Matter… But Differently
Takeaway 2: Not Accepting Your Negative Emotions Has Opposite Effects on Food Addiction vs. Alcohol-Related Problems
Another key aspect of emotion regulation is the “non-acceptance of one’s negative emotions.”
This is the tendency to have self-critical or judgmental reactions like shame, guilt, or frustration to your own distressing feelings.
Here again, the study found that this trait was linked to food addiction and alcohol-related problems in opposite ways:
- Non-acceptance was associated with more severe food addiction symptoms.
- Non-acceptance was associated with less severe alcohol-related problems.
The researchers hypothesize that this difference may be rooted in social stigma.
Women who feel ashamed of their negative emotions might turn to food as a coping mechanism because overeating is often viewed as less stigmatized than alcohol misuse.
The study references other research showing that the label “food addict” is perceived as less shameful than “substance or alcohol addiction.” This suggests that societal norms and the fear of judgment can profoundly shape which coping behaviors we adopt.
3. The Complicated Truth About Negative Moods and Food Addiction
Takeaway 3: The Link Between Bad Moods and Bingeing Isn’t a Simple One
The idea that we eat to soothe bad feelings, often called “emotional eating,” is a popular one. This is related to the concept of “negative urgency,” or the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong negative emotions.
At first glance, the study’s data seemed to support this common belief.
When looking at a single point in time, the researchers found that negative urgency was a common link between both food addiction and substance misuse.
However, when they analyzed the data over time in a more sophisticated multivariate model, the picture changed dramatically.
After controlling for other emotion-regulation factors, negative urgency was not a significant predictor of future food addiction or substance misuse problems.
This doesn’t mean bad moods are irrelevant.
Rather, it suggests that negative urgency might be a “fellow traveler.” It’s present alongside the true driver, but not in the driver’s seat itself.
When the researchers statistically controlled for the powerful effect of positive urgency, the predictive signal from negative urgency faded away. This finding challenges the simple narrative that “feeling bad leads to addiction” and reveals that, over the long term, other emotional factors are far more influential.
Conclusion: A Different Kind of Struggle
While food addiction and substance addiction share surface-level similarities like cravings and loss of control, this new research paints a picture of two surprisingly different psychological profiles.
One is characterized by impulsivity in good times, which predicts substance misuse, while the other is marked by self-judgment in bad times, which predicts addictive-like eating.
This challenges the one-size-fits-all model of addiction.
The study’s overall conclusion is clear: “These findings suggest that FA [Food Addiction] is not associated with the same key deficits in emotion regulation as SA [Substance Addiction].”
This leaves us with a critical question to consider:
If the emotional drivers for food addiction and substance addiction are so different, does this mean we need to rethink how we talk about, prevent, and treat addictive-like eating?
Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.
Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire
Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses?
Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!
Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.
Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.
#addictionResearch #bingeEating #copingAndEmotions #eatingDisorders #emotionalEating #emotionalRegulation #evidenceBasedPractice #foodAddiction #negativeUrgency #positiveUrgency #shame #stigmaAndShame #substanceMisuse #traumaAndAddiction #treatmentImplications #womensMentalHealth
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Is Food Addiction Real? Just in Time for Thanksgiving!
Originally Published on November 25th, 2025 at 08:00 amFood Addiction: The “Addiction” We All Talk About
Many of us have joked about being “addicted” to ice cream or chips, describing an intense craving that feels impossible to resist. This common experience is at the heart of a serious scientific debate: Is Food Addiction (FA) a genuine addiction, similar to substance addiction?
The conversation has grown more complex as modern definitions of addiction have expanded.
Influential bodies like the American Society of Addiction Medicine no longer require the ingestion of a psychoactive substance for something to be considered an addiction. Similarly, behavioral addictions like gambling disorder are now formally recognized. This has intensified the scientific inquiry into whether addictive-like eating fits the same mold.
To find answers, a recent longitudinal study looked at the role of emotion regulation, how we handle our feelings, to compare food addiction and substance misuse.
The findings were surprising, revealing critical differences in the emotional pathways that drive these behaviors. This article breaks down the three most impactful takeaways that challenge what we think we know about food addiction.
1. The Counter-Intuitive Role of Positive Emotions in Food Addiction
Takeaway 1: Acting on a Good Mood Predicts Substance Misuse, But Deters Food Addiction.
One of the study’s most unexpected findings relates to “positive urgency.” It’s described as a psychological trait. One defined as the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong positive emotions, like feeling overjoyed or extremely happy.
The research, which tracked women over six months, found a striking divergence.
A one-unit increase in a person’s positive urgency score was associated with:
- A 100% to 200% increase in the odds of future alcohol or drug-related problems.
- A 50% decrease in the odds of future food addiction.
Why would feeling good lead to such different outcomes?
The researchers suggest it comes down to the reinforcing power of the substance or behavior.
Individuals high in positive urgency may seek to amplify or extend their good feelings, and psychoactive substances are far more effective at this than food.
The study’s authors explain: Women with greater positive urgency may tend to select psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs that can more effectively amplify or prolong their positive feelings, rather than food. Food’s effects are less potent and thus less reinforcing than psychoactive substances.
This discovery is significant because it highlights a fundamental difference in the emotional triggers for food addiction versus substance misuse.
While a good mood might increase the risk for substance misuse, it appears to have the opposite effect on addictive-like eating.
Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?
Look no further!
If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!
2. How We Judge Our Feelings Matter… But Differently
Takeaway 2: Not Accepting Your Negative Emotions Has Opposite Effects on Food Addiction vs. Alcohol-Related Problems
Another key aspect of emotion regulation is the “non-acceptance of one’s negative emotions.”
This is the tendency to have self-critical or judgmental reactions like shame, guilt, or frustration to your own distressing feelings.
Here again, the study found that this trait was linked to food addiction and alcohol-related problems in opposite ways:
- Non-acceptance was associated with more severe food addiction symptoms.
- Non-acceptance was associated with less severe alcohol-related problems.
The researchers hypothesize that this difference may be rooted in social stigma.
Women who feel ashamed of their negative emotions might turn to food as a coping mechanism because overeating is often viewed as less stigmatized than alcohol misuse.
The study references other research showing that the label “food addict” is perceived as less shameful than “substance or alcohol addiction.” This suggests that societal norms and the fear of judgment can profoundly shape which coping behaviors we adopt.
3. The Complicated Truth About Negative Moods and Food Addiction
Takeaway 3: The Link Between Bad Moods and Bingeing Isn’t a Simple One
The idea that we eat to soothe bad feelings, often called “emotional eating,” is a popular one. This is related to the concept of “negative urgency,” or the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong negative emotions.
At first glance, the study’s data seemed to support this common belief.
When looking at a single point in time, the researchers found that negative urgency was a common link between both food addiction and substance misuse.
However, when they analyzed the data over time in a more sophisticated multivariate model, the picture changed dramatically.
After controlling for other emotion-regulation factors, negative urgency was not a significant predictor of future food addiction or substance misuse problems.
This doesn’t mean bad moods are irrelevant.
Rather, it suggests that negative urgency might be a “fellow traveler.” It’s present alongside the true driver, but not in the driver’s seat itself.
When the researchers statistically controlled for the powerful effect of positive urgency, the predictive signal from negative urgency faded away. This finding challenges the simple narrative that “feeling bad leads to addiction” and reveals that, over the long term, other emotional factors are far more influential.
Conclusion: A Different Kind of Struggle
While food addiction and substance addiction share surface-level similarities like cravings and loss of control, this new research paints a picture of two surprisingly different psychological profiles.
One is characterized by impulsivity in good times, which predicts substance misuse, while the other is marked by self-judgment in bad times, which predicts addictive-like eating.
This challenges the one-size-fits-all model of addiction.
The study’s overall conclusion is clear: “These findings suggest that FA [Food Addiction] is not associated with the same key deficits in emotion regulation as SA [Substance Addiction].”
This leaves us with a critical question to consider:
If the emotional drivers for food addiction and substance addiction are so different, does this mean we need to rethink how we talk about, prevent, and treat addictive-like eating?
Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.
Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire
Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses?
Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!
Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.
Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.
#addictionResearch #bingeEating #copingAndEmotions #eatingDisorders #emotionalEating #emotionalRegulation #evidenceBasedPractice #foodAddiction #negativeUrgency #positiveUrgency #shame #stigmaAndShame #substanceMisuse #traumaAndAddiction #treatmentImplications #womensMentalHealth
-
Is Food Addiction Real? Just in Time for Thanksgiving!
Originally Published on November 25th, 2025 at 08:00 amFood Addiction: The “Addiction” We All Talk About
Many of us have joked about being “addicted” to ice cream or chips, describing an intense craving that feels impossible to resist. This common experience is at the heart of a serious scientific debate: Is Food Addiction (FA) a genuine addiction, similar to substance addiction?
The conversation has grown more complex as modern definitions of addiction have expanded.
Influential bodies like the American Society of Addiction Medicine no longer require the ingestion of a psychoactive substance for something to be considered an addiction. Similarly, behavioral addictions like gambling disorder are now formally recognized. This has intensified the scientific inquiry into whether addictive-like eating fits the same mold.
To find answers, a recent longitudinal study looked at the role of emotion regulation, how we handle our feelings, to compare food addiction and substance misuse.
The findings were surprising, revealing critical differences in the emotional pathways that drive these behaviors. This article breaks down the three most impactful takeaways that challenge what we think we know about food addiction.
1. The Counter-Intuitive Role of Positive Emotions in Food Addiction
Takeaway 1: Acting on a Good Mood Predicts Substance Misuse, But Deters Food Addiction.
One of the study’s most unexpected findings relates to “positive urgency.” It’s described as a psychological trait. One defined as the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong positive emotions, like feeling overjoyed or extremely happy.
The research, which tracked women over six months, found a striking divergence.
A one-unit increase in a person’s positive urgency score was associated with:
- A 100% to 200% increase in the odds of future alcohol or drug-related problems.
- A 50% decrease in the odds of future food addiction.
Why would feeling good lead to such different outcomes?
The researchers suggest it comes down to the reinforcing power of the substance or behavior.
Individuals high in positive urgency may seek to amplify or extend their good feelings, and psychoactive substances are far more effective at this than food.
The study’s authors explain: Women with greater positive urgency may tend to select psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs that can more effectively amplify or prolong their positive feelings, rather than food. Food’s effects are less potent and thus less reinforcing than psychoactive substances.
This discovery is significant because it highlights a fundamental difference in the emotional triggers for food addiction versus substance misuse.
While a good mood might increase the risk for substance misuse, it appears to have the opposite effect on addictive-like eating.
Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?
Look no further!
If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!
2. How We Judge Our Feelings Matter… But Differently
Takeaway 2: Not Accepting Your Negative Emotions Has Opposite Effects on Food Addiction vs. Alcohol-Related Problems
Another key aspect of emotion regulation is the “non-acceptance of one’s negative emotions.”
This is the tendency to have self-critical or judgmental reactions like shame, guilt, or frustration to your own distressing feelings.
Here again, the study found that this trait was linked to food addiction and alcohol-related problems in opposite ways:
- Non-acceptance was associated with more severe food addiction symptoms.
- Non-acceptance was associated with less severe alcohol-related problems.
The researchers hypothesize that this difference may be rooted in social stigma.
Women who feel ashamed of their negative emotions might turn to food as a coping mechanism because overeating is often viewed as less stigmatized than alcohol misuse.
The study references other research showing that the label “food addict” is perceived as less shameful than “substance or alcohol addiction.” This suggests that societal norms and the fear of judgment can profoundly shape which coping behaviors we adopt.
3. The Complicated Truth About Negative Moods and Food Addiction
Takeaway 3: The Link Between Bad Moods and Bingeing Isn’t a Simple One
The idea that we eat to soothe bad feelings, often called “emotional eating,” is a popular one. This is related to the concept of “negative urgency,” or the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong negative emotions.
At first glance, the study’s data seemed to support this common belief.
When looking at a single point in time, the researchers found that negative urgency was a common link between both food addiction and substance misuse.
However, when they analyzed the data over time in a more sophisticated multivariate model, the picture changed dramatically.
After controlling for other emotion-regulation factors, negative urgency was not a significant predictor of future food addiction or substance misuse problems.
This doesn’t mean bad moods are irrelevant.
Rather, it suggests that negative urgency might be a “fellow traveler.” It’s present alongside the true driver, but not in the driver’s seat itself.
When the researchers statistically controlled for the powerful effect of positive urgency, the predictive signal from negative urgency faded away. This finding challenges the simple narrative that “feeling bad leads to addiction” and reveals that, over the long term, other emotional factors are far more influential.
Conclusion: A Different Kind of Struggle
While food addiction and substance addiction share surface-level similarities like cravings and loss of control, this new research paints a picture of two surprisingly different psychological profiles.
One is characterized by impulsivity in good times, which predicts substance misuse, while the other is marked by self-judgment in bad times, which predicts addictive-like eating.
This challenges the one-size-fits-all model of addiction.
The study’s overall conclusion is clear: “These findings suggest that FA [Food Addiction] is not associated with the same key deficits in emotion regulation as SA [Substance Addiction].”
This leaves us with a critical question to consider:
If the emotional drivers for food addiction and substance addiction are so different, does this mean we need to rethink how we talk about, prevent, and treat addictive-like eating?
Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.
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#addictionResearch #bingeEating #copingAndEmotions #eatingDisorders #emotionalEating #emotionalRegulation #evidenceBasedPractice #foodAddiction #negativeUrgency #positiveUrgency #shame #stigmaAndShame #substanceMisuse #traumaAndAddiction #treatmentImplications #womensMentalHealth
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Is Food Addiction Real? Just in Time for Thanksgiving!
Originally Published on November 25th, 2025 at 08:00 amFood Addiction: The “Addiction” We All Talk About
Many of us have joked about being “addicted” to ice cream or chips, describing an intense craving that feels impossible to resist. This common experience is at the heart of a serious scientific debate: Is Food Addiction (FA) a genuine addiction, similar to substance addiction?
The conversation has grown more complex as modern definitions of addiction have expanded.
Influential bodies like the American Society of Addiction Medicine no longer require the ingestion of a psychoactive substance for something to be considered an addiction. Similarly, behavioral addictions like gambling disorder are now formally recognized. This has intensified the scientific inquiry into whether addictive-like eating fits the same mold.
To find answers, a recent longitudinal study looked at the role of emotion regulation, how we handle our feelings, to compare food addiction and substance misuse.
The findings were surprising, revealing critical differences in the emotional pathways that drive these behaviors. This article breaks down the three most impactful takeaways that challenge what we think we know about food addiction.
1. The Counter-Intuitive Role of Positive Emotions in Food Addiction
Takeaway 1: Acting on a Good Mood Predicts Substance Misuse, But Deters Food Addiction.
One of the study’s most unexpected findings relates to “positive urgency.” It’s described as a psychological trait. One defined as the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong positive emotions, like feeling overjoyed or extremely happy.
The research, which tracked women over six months, found a striking divergence.
A one-unit increase in a person’s positive urgency score was associated with:
- A 100% to 200% increase in the odds of future alcohol or drug-related problems.
- A 50% decrease in the odds of future food addiction.
Why would feeling good lead to such different outcomes?
The researchers suggest it comes down to the reinforcing power of the substance or behavior.
Individuals high in positive urgency may seek to amplify or extend their good feelings, and psychoactive substances are far more effective at this than food.
The study’s authors explain: Women with greater positive urgency may tend to select psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs that can more effectively amplify or prolong their positive feelings, rather than food. Food’s effects are less potent and thus less reinforcing than psychoactive substances.
This discovery is significant because it highlights a fundamental difference in the emotional triggers for food addiction versus substance misuse.
While a good mood might increase the risk for substance misuse, it appears to have the opposite effect on addictive-like eating.
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2. How We Judge Our Feelings Matter… But Differently
Takeaway 2: Not Accepting Your Negative Emotions Has Opposite Effects on Food Addiction vs. Alcohol-Related Problems
Another key aspect of emotion regulation is the “non-acceptance of one’s negative emotions.”
This is the tendency to have self-critical or judgmental reactions like shame, guilt, or frustration to your own distressing feelings.
Here again, the study found that this trait was linked to food addiction and alcohol-related problems in opposite ways:
- Non-acceptance was associated with more severe food addiction symptoms.
- Non-acceptance was associated with less severe alcohol-related problems.
The researchers hypothesize that this difference may be rooted in social stigma.
Women who feel ashamed of their negative emotions might turn to food as a coping mechanism because overeating is often viewed as less stigmatized than alcohol misuse.
The study references other research showing that the label “food addict” is perceived as less shameful than “substance or alcohol addiction.” This suggests that societal norms and the fear of judgment can profoundly shape which coping behaviors we adopt.
3. The Complicated Truth About Negative Moods and Food Addiction
Takeaway 3: The Link Between Bad Moods and Bingeing Isn’t a Simple One
The idea that we eat to soothe bad feelings, often called “emotional eating,” is a popular one. This is related to the concept of “negative urgency,” or the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong negative emotions.
At first glance, the study’s data seemed to support this common belief.
When looking at a single point in time, the researchers found that negative urgency was a common link between both food addiction and substance misuse.
However, when they analyzed the data over time in a more sophisticated multivariate model, the picture changed dramatically.
After controlling for other emotion-regulation factors, negative urgency was not a significant predictor of future food addiction or substance misuse problems.
This doesn’t mean bad moods are irrelevant.
Rather, it suggests that negative urgency might be a “fellow traveler.” It’s present alongside the true driver, but not in the driver’s seat itself.
When the researchers statistically controlled for the powerful effect of positive urgency, the predictive signal from negative urgency faded away. This finding challenges the simple narrative that “feeling bad leads to addiction” and reveals that, over the long term, other emotional factors are far more influential.
Conclusion: A Different Kind of Struggle
While food addiction and substance addiction share surface-level similarities like cravings and loss of control, this new research paints a picture of two surprisingly different psychological profiles.
One is characterized by impulsivity in good times, which predicts substance misuse, while the other is marked by self-judgment in bad times, which predicts addictive-like eating.
This challenges the one-size-fits-all model of addiction.
The study’s overall conclusion is clear: “These findings suggest that FA [Food Addiction] is not associated with the same key deficits in emotion regulation as SA [Substance Addiction].”
This leaves us with a critical question to consider:
If the emotional drivers for food addiction and substance addiction are so different, does this mean we need to rethink how we talk about, prevent, and treat addictive-like eating?
Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.
Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire
Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses?
Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!
Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.
Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.
#addictionResearch #bingeEating #copingAndEmotions #eatingDisorders #emotionalEating #emotionalRegulation #evidenceBasedPractice #foodAddiction #negativeUrgency #positiveUrgency #shame #stigmaAndShame #substanceMisuse #traumaAndAddiction #treatmentImplications #womensMentalHealth