Explicating the role of emotion dysregulation in risky behaviors: a review and synthesis of the literature with directions for future research and clinical practice

•Emotion dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of risky behaviors.•Difficulties regulating negative and positive emotions are related to risky behaviors.•Emotion dysregulation and risky behaviors are context-dependent.•Physiological markers of emotion dysregulation are related to risky behaviors.•Treatments targeting emotion dysregulation result in a reduction in risky behaviors.

Extant literature provides support for emotion dysregulation as a transdiagnostic construct with relevance to the pathogenesis and treatment of numerous psychiatric difficulties and maladaptive behaviors, including risky, self-destructive, and health-compromising behaviors (e.g. substance use, risky sexual behavior). The aim of the present review is to synthesize theory and empirical research on the relationship between emotion dysregulation and risky behaviors. In addition, we highlight cutting-edge approaches for investigating the emotion dysregulation-risky behavior, including examination of the role of positive emotional experiences and inclusion of context-dependent and physiological assessments. Finally, we note the relevance of the emotion dysregulation-risky behavior relation to intervention efforts aimed at reducing risky behaviors.