The current study shows that trait measures of behavioral control account for the covariation between MDD and AUD (Li & Sinha, 2008; Field et al. 2010; Kanske & Kotz, 2012; Ellingson et al. 2015) beyond what is accounted for by negative emotionality (Khan et al. 2005). Importantly, this is the first study to demonstrate that both behavioral control and negative emotionality confer risk for this covariation via genetic factors, and that negative emotionality also confers risk for this covariation via environmental factors. Given the distinct role that behavioral control appears to play in the covariation between these two distinct disorders, future research could investigate whether behavioral control underlies risk for general psychopathology, as has been shown for negative emotionality (Tackett et al. 2013). Additional research will also be needed for identifying specific risk factors that comprise this genetic and environmental risk. In addition, longitudinal research will be important for disentangling the temporal relation between MDD, AUD, behavioral control, and negative emotionality. Finally, these findings suggest that behavioral control and negative emotionality may be important intervention targets to address a wide range of mental health problems.
