# A Multi-Method Study of Momentary Distress Intolerance and Combustible Cigarette Smoking

> **NIH DA K23** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2026 · $231,321

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Cigarette smoking among adults with emotional distress (i.e. anxiety, depression) is a recognized health
disparity. Individuals who smoke cigarettes and experience co-occurring emotional distress (compared to those
who do not) are more dependent on cigarettes, experience more withdrawal symptoms during quit attempts,
and have greater difficulty achieving abstinence. Distress intolerance (DI), or one’s inability to withstand
aversive states, is a cognitive-emotional vulnerability implicated in the emotion-smoking comorbidity. Decades
of empirical inquiry have focused on translating DI to a smoking cessation treatment target. However, these
efforts have been met with relatively little success, which appear to reflect weaknesses in the literature’s
conceptualization and assessment of DI. To address these limitations, we propose a fresh perspective on this
research topic, by reconceptualizing DI as a dynamic intraindividual process that can be activated by various
types of distress (e.g., physical distress like pain or fatigue), and influenced by various contextual (situational)
factors. This K23 proposal outlines a well-integrated research and training plan for mentored, patient-oriented
career development. The proposed research involves a multi-method approach, to understanding how DI
varies on a moment-to-moment basis and the factors that influence it among people who smoke. Phase I of
the project will involve a qualitative investigation. Phase II will involve quantitative examination of naturalistic
momentary data via ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over a 28-day period. EMA will include
randomly sampled and self-initiated reports of DI, distress and situational context during smoking. Hypotheses
of momentary within-person internal and situational factors that influence momentary DI during smoking will be
evaluated primarily with longitudinal modeling methods. This research plan provides the necessary landscape
for experiential learning and men

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11251925
- **Project number:** 5K23DA060293-02
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Brianna Rose Altman
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** DA
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $231,321
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2025-01-01T00:00:00 → 2029-12-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11251925

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11251925, A Multi-Method Study of Momentary Distress Intolerance and Combustible Cigarette Smoking (5K23DA060293-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11251925. Licensed CC0.

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