Delay discounting (DD) and self-regulation are important predictors of substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes. Further, regulatory flexibility (RF; i.e., selecting, monitoring, and adapting coping techniques based on contextual demands) is related to psychological resilience. However, studies have yet to examine associations between DD, RF, and remission from SUDs. Individuals (N = 148) in SUD recovery completed the Context Sensitivity Index (CSI), the Flexible Regulation of Emotional Expression (FREE) Scale, and the Perceived Ability to Cope with Trauma (PACT) Scale to assess RF and, an Adjusting Amount Delay Discounting Task. T-tests were used to examine differences in RF and DD by remission status. Univariate linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between RF and DD. Finally, mediation models examined the dynamic relationship between DD, RF, and remission status. Remitted individuals (n=82) had significantly lower DD rates (p<0.001) and higher context sensitivity (p<0.001) and coping flexibility (p<0.001). There were significant negative associations between DD and context sensitivity (p=0.008), coping flexibility (p=0.002), and emotion regulation flexibility (p<0.001). Finally, context sensitivity (p=0.023) and coping flexibility (p=0.007) mediated the relationship between DD and SUD remission. Results suggest that individuals in recovery with broader temporal windows can better identify contextual demands and flexibly cope, contributing to improved SUD recovery outcomes. / M.S. / Preference for immediate gratification (also called delay discounting), and self-regulation (the ability to control one’s emotions) are related to addiction outcomes. Regulatory flexibility - a self-regulation process by which individuals select and adapt their coping strategies based on their situation - is related to improved mental health outcomes. However, research studies have yet to examine the relationship between regulatory flexibility and delay discounting in individuals with a history of drug and/or alcohol dependence. Using a sample from an online addiction recovery research and support community called the International Quit and Recovery Registry, the current thesis examined the relationship between delay discounting and regulatory flexibility grouped by substance use disorder clinical diagnoses amongst 148 individuals. Group comparisons suggested that individuals in remission (i.e., no longer meet criteria for clinical diagnosis of addiction) were better able to delay gratification and were better able to flexibly regulate their emotions compared to individuals who relapsed. When examining the relationship between delay discounting and regulatory flexibility, we found that individuals’ who preferred delayed rewards over immediate rewards were better able to flexibly self-regulate, suggesting that being able to delay gratification is an important component of effective coping, together contributing to improved addiction recovery outcomes.

過往關於同志與身心健康的研究，多著重在此身分所帶來的負面影響。本研究採取不同的觀點，探索同志族群可能的韌性，檢驗主／客觀因應彈性（韌性的行為面）以及自我清晰程度（韌性的內在面）對於正負向心理適應的影響，以及性傾向在此關係中所扮演的調節效果。兩個研究皆以調查法收集不同性傾向者（主觀與客觀）的因應彈性、自我清晰程度、憂鬱程度（負向心理適應指標）與生活滿意度（正向心理適應指標）。研究一的壓力事件為參與者自陳其近期壓力事件，研究二的壓力事件則是研究者指定給予參與者去做評量。兩個研究皆發現，客觀因應彈性與憂鬱程度、生活滿意度無關；自我清晰程度越高者，其憂鬱程度越低，且性傾向未調節以上結果。不過，性傾向則調節了自我清晰程度與生活滿意度間的關係。同志族群的自我清晰程度越高、生活滿意度也會越高；異性戀者則無此關係。研究二則發現主觀因應彈性越高，其憂鬱程度越低、生活滿意度越高；然而主觀因應彈性與正、負向心理適應之間的關係，不會受到不同性傾向的調節。兩個研究結果幫助我們瞭解主觀因應彈性、自我清晰程度與心理適應之間的關係，以及此關係在不同性傾向者身上的面貌為何。 / Lesbians, gay men, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are often observed to have poorer psychological adjustments than heterosexual individuals. I adopted a different approach to explore potential strengths in being LGB individuals by testing the impacts of objective/subjective coping flexibility and self-concept clarity on positive and negative psychological adjustments, as well as how sexual orientation may moderate these relationships. Two survey studies in this thesis measured objective/subjective coping flexibility, self-concept clarity, depression and life satisfaction among people with different sexual orientations. To measure objective coping flexibility, participants reported their recent stress events in Study 1, and were given specific stress events to respond in Study 2. The two studies showed that objective coping flexibility was not associated with depression, nor with life satisfaction, whereas self-concept clarity was associated with depression negatively. Sexual orientation did not moderate the above findings. Sexual orientation did moderate the relationship between self-concept clarity and life satisfaction: Self-concept clarity was associated with life satisfaction positively among LGB individuals, but this association was not significant among heterosexual individuals. Study 2 showed that subjective coping flexibility was associated with depression negatively and with life satisfaction positively. Again, sexual orientation did not moderate the above finding. These findings further our understanding regarding objective and subjective coping flexibility, self-concept clarity and psychological adjustments among people with different sexual orientations.