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Abstract
Objective
Engaging in practices of intimacy meant to develop and sustain intimacy can be beneficial for couples. Psychoactive substances such as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have shown to facilitate bonding within couples and it is hypothesised that classic psychedelics, due to their property to increase prosocial behaviours, can similarly promote interactional intimacy. This study explores shared experiences of altered states of consciousness within romantic couples and their impact on intimacy in relationships.
Participants
Twelve participants (six couples) between 19 and 29 years of age who had used psychedelics with their current partner were recruited.
Method
Qualitative data was gathered via simultaneous interviews with both members of a couple. The semi-structured interviews featured an in-depth exploration of multiple shared psychedelic experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the resulting transcripts.
Results
Three themes with subsequent subthemes were identified, portraying couples' experiences during psychedelic-induced altered states of consciousness: navigating anxiety (subthemes: novelty, preparation, shifting environment, and calming presence), reshaping practices (subthemes: excessive worrying, spirited discussions, and straight talking), and encountering bliss (subthemes: meeting the unexpected, the beauty around us, leaving the everyday behind, and breaking through).
Conclusions
Couples' experiences with classic psychedelics align with criteria for interactional intimacy (i.e., self-exposure, positive involvement, and shared understanding), but their distinct nature warrants a novel definition of psychedelic intimacy. The unique pair bonding during shared psychedelic experiences could be utilized by psychedelic-assisted couples therapy.
Abstract
Background and Aims
Research on psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), a promising treatment option for major depression, has not revealed if potential clients show preferences about the demographic characteristics of providers comparable to those common in other forms of psychotherapy. Previous work suggests that honoring comparable client preferences can enhance therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to investigate the importance ratings for a same-gender and a same-race therapist in both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and PAT.
Methods
Participants (N = 635) responded between December 2020 and January 2021 on Amazon's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform. Participants rated the import of provider characteristics, including having a provider who is the same-gender or the same-race, for a CBT therapist and a PAT guide.
Results
Importance ratings for a same-gender practitioner varied by both race and gender; racial and ethnic minority and female participants had the highest importance ratings for a same-gender practitioner. A same-gender CBT therapist was more important than a same-gender PAT guide. Importance ratings for a same-race practitioner did not differ by therapy type or gender and only varied by race; racial and ethnic minority participants rated a same-race practitioner as more important than White participants.
Conclusions
Accommodating client preferences appears important, particularly for members of racial, ethnic, and gender minority groups. A concerted effort to train diverse CBT therapists and PAT guides to meet this demand seems justified.
„Áldjon vagy verjen sors keze, itt élned, halnod kell” – Új megközelítés a magyarországi kivándorlás motívumainak feltárásában
“May fortune’s hand bless or beat you here you must live and die” – A novel approach to exploring the motives of emigration from Hungary
Háttér és célkitűzések: A kivándorlás az elmúlt másfél évtizedben Magyarországon jelentős. A jelen kutatás célja az elvándorló és a Magyarországon maradó magyarok csoportjában annak feltárása, hogy milyen szubjektív jelentést tulajdonítanak ennek a két csoportnak és ezen keresztül azonosítani a távozást/maradást motiváló elemeket és ezzel hozzájárulni a magyar kivándorlás, illetve otthon maradás motívumrendszerének komplexebb pszichológiai megértéséhez. Módszer: A kutatás során az Asszociatív Csoportanalízis (AGA) módszert alkalmaztuk. A vizsgálatban részt vevők az alábbi hívószavakra asszociáltak: „Magyarországon élő magyar”, „külföldön élő magyar”. Összesen 204 magyar állampolgár: 102 Magyarországon élő és 102 külföldön élő válaszolt. A minta összeállítása nemre, korra, iskolai végzettségre és településtípusra illesztett volt. Eredmények: A vizsgálatban részt vevő lokálisan két helyen élő csoport asszociációi a magyarországi magyarokkal és a külföldi magyarokkal kapcsolatban a szubjektív jelentés erős hasonlóságaira mutattak rá, ami arra enged következtetni, hogy a közös társadalmi-kulturális kontextus befolyásolja a válaszokat. Az országban maradottakat mindkét csoport erősen negatívan, míg a kivándorló csoportot erősen pozitívan látja. A Magyarországon maradókat egyfajta tanult tehetetlenség jellemzi, míg a kivándorló csoportot a bátorság és a kockázatvállalás. A kivándorlás és az országban maradás motívumai az elszakadás és kötődés, a hazafiság és hazafiatlanság, az énfelnagyítás és éndevalváció és a nyitott és zárt gondolkodás dimenziói mentén értelmezhetőek. Következtetések: A vizsgálat a magyarországi és a külföldi léthez eltérő élettapasztalatokat kapcsoló csoportok jelentéstulajdonításának hasonlóságai és különbségei feltárásával hozzájárul az elvándorlás és az otthon maradás motivációinak megértéséhez.
A munkamemória, a végrehajtó funkciók és a figyelemkoncentráció vizsgálatának, továbbá a becslőskálák felhasználásának jelentősége az aktivitás- és figyelemzavar diagnosztikai megközelítésében
The importance of working memory, executive functions, attention-concentration and rating scales in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnostics
Háttér és célkitűzések: Jelen kutatás az aktivitás- és figyelemzavarral élő tanulók munkamemória, végrehajtó funkciók és figyelemkoncentráció tekintetében nyújtott teljesítményét, továbbá a viselkedésük tükrében tett szülői észrevételeket veszi górcső alá. Kérdésfeltevésként fogalmazódott meg, hogy a verbális munkamemória-feladatokon elért eredmények vajon bejósolják-e a komplex munkamemória-működést? Kirajzolódik-e a szignifikáns különbség a farmakoterápiás ellátásban részesülő, illetve nem részesülő tanulók figyelemkoncentrációs teljesítménye között, s ha igen, képesek-e detektálni a teljesítménybeli különbségeket a szülők? Módszer: A munkamemória mérésekor az álszóismétlési, a hallási mondatterjedelem, a számterjedelem és a fordított számterjedelem tesztek, míg a végrehajtó funkciók megismerésekor a verbális fluencia tesztek kerültek felhasználásra. A figyelmi működés megismerésére a d2-R teszt irányult, a szülői észrevételeket pedig a Conners Gyermek Magatartás Kérdőív tükrében értékeltük. A vizsgálatban 71 fő ADHD diagnózissal rendelkező, ép intellektusú, 9–14 éves tanuló vett részt. Csoportok a javasolt farmakoterápia megvalósulása és meg nem valósulása mentén különültek el. Eredmények: A d2-R teszt összpontosítási teljesítmény mutatója, s annak a feldolgozási sebességgel vagy a hibaszázalékkal való kapcsolata jelezte legmegbízhatóbban a figyelmi érintettség súlyosságát. A verbális munkamemóriát mérő teszteken elért eredmények bejósolták a komplex munkamemória működést. A d2-R teszt minden mutatója mentén szignifikánsan gyengébben teljesítettek a farmakoterápiában nem részesülő tanulók. A munkamemóriát, a figyelmi és a végrehajtó működést mérő eljárásokban nyújtott eredmények nem jósolták be a tanulók viselkedésére vonatkozó szülői megítéléseket. Következtetések: Jelen kutatás előkészíti az ADHD diagnosztikai eszköztárának specifikálását, az eredmények alátámasztják a farmakoterápiás ellátás elutasításának tüneti hátrányait, s kérdéseket körvonalaznak az ADHD szülői megítélése, a metabolikus pszichiátriai szempontokat figyelembe vevő megsegítés, továbbá a felnőttkori ADHD-s populáció vizsgálatának irányába.
Abstract
Background and aims
Despite the inclusion of the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases, emotional and cognitive impairments related to CSBD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the behavioral and neuronal effects of emotional interference on cognition among CSBD patients.
Methods
Thirty heterosexual males with CSBD and matched healthy controls (HC) were studied with the Emotional Stroop Task using 5 categories of emotionally arousing words (sex-related, positive, fear-related, negative, neutral) during functional magnetic imaging.
Results
At the behavioral level, we found the main effect of the condition: sex-related words evoked a stronger Stroop effect than other conditions. At the neural level, we found a significant group effect. Among CSBD patients processing of sex-related words was related to increased activity in the right putamen, right thalamus, hippocampi, and left pulvinar, when compared to HC. We also found a negative correlation between neuronal activation and time spent on sexual activity during the week preceding study and numerous group differences in brain regions connected to the emotional and motivational processing of sexually explicit material, correlating with CSBD symptoms.
Conclusions
Behavioral results indicate a specific attentional bias toward sex-related stimuli in both groups, while neural data uncovered stronger reactivity to sex-related words in CSBD compared to HC. This reactivity is related to CSBD symptoms and provides evidence for the interference of sex-related stimuli with cognition. Such results are firmly in line with the Incentive Salience Theory and conceptualizing CSBD as a behavioral addiction.
Abstract
Background
Changes in brain structural connections appear to be important in the pathophysiology of substance use disorders, but their role in behavioral addictions, such as gambling disorder (GD), is unclear. GD also offers a model to study addiction mechanisms without pharmacological confounding factors. Here, we used multimodal MRI data to examine the integrity of white matter connections in individuals with GD. We hypothesized that the affected areas would be in the fronto-striatal-thalamic circuit.
Methods
Twenty individuals with GD (mean age: 64 years, GD duration: 15.7 years) and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent detailed clinical examinations together with brain 3T MRI scans (T1, T2, FLAIR and DWI). White matter (WM) analysis involved fractional anisotropy and lesion load, while gray matter (GM) analysis included voxel- and surface-based morphometry. These measures were compared between groups, and correlations with GD-related behavioral characteristics were examined.
Results
Individuals with GD showed reduced WM integrity in the left and right frontal parts of the corona radiata and corpus callosum (pFWE < 0.05). WM gambling symptom severity (SOGS score) was negatively associated to WM integrity in these areas within the left hemisphere (p < 0.05). Individuals with GD also exhibited higher WM lesion load in the left anterior corona radiata (pFWE < 0.05). GM volume in the left thalamus and GM thickness in the left orbitofrontal cortex were reduced in the GD group (pFWE < 0.05).
Conclusions
Similar to substance addictions, the fronto-striatal-thalamic circuit is also affected in GD, suggesting that this circuitry may have a crucial role in addictions, independent of pharmacological substances.
Abstract
Due to the spread of the communicative language teaching method language learners were often encouraged not to use a dictionary but rather infer the meaning of a word or phrase from its context. Proper dictionary use, however, is now seen as an important element of autonomous and life-long language learning. The present research used the quantitative research paradigm and a self-prepared questionnaire (n = 925) to investigate attitudes towards dictionary use in the case of university students studying languages for business. The study investigated participants' willingness to use and pay for dictionaries and their willingness to read usage guides in dictionaries. Our results show that participants typically use a dictionary if they do not know the meaning of a word or phrase, but are reluctant to buy a dictionary and are likewise unwilling to read the information guides in dictionaries. Our results also reveal that willingness to pay for dictionaries is positively influenced by willingness to use dictionaries, willingness to read usage guides in dictionaries and language learners' age.
Abstract
Background and Aims
Many individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) present with co-occurring mental health disorders and other addictions, including behavioral addictions (BAs). Though several studies have investigated the relationship between SUDs and BAs, less research has focused specifically on compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB). Given that poly-addiction can hinder treatment outcomes, it is necessary to better understand the impact of co-occurring CSB and SUD. Therefore, the current study aimed to 1) determine the rate of CSB in a sample seeking treatment for SUDs, 2) identify demographic and clinical correlates of co-occurring CSB, and 3) to determine if co-occurring CSB impacts treatment outcomes for SUD.
Methods
Participants were 793 adults (71.1% men) ranging in age from 18–77 (M = 38.73) at an inpatient treatment facility for SUDs who were assessed for CSB upon admission into treatment. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires upon admission and at discharge to assess psychological and addiction symptoms.
Results
Rates of CSB were 24%. Younger age and being single were associated with greater CSB. Mental distress and addiction symptoms were higher in participants with CSB. Predictors of CSB severity included greater symptoms of traumatic stress and interpersonal dysfunction. Rates of treatment completion were similar between participants with and without CSB.
Discussion and Conclusions
These results highlight several clinical and demographic correlates of CSB amongst individuals in treatment for SUD. However, CSB was not associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Further identifying characteristics associated with CSB can help clinicians identify individuals who may be at higher risk.
Abstract
Objective
The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention in reducing problematic mobile phone use, depression, and sleep disorders among adolescents. Additionally, it sought to investigate whether the decrease in problematic mobile phone use acted as a mediator in the relationship between the MBCT intervention and adolescent depression and sleep disorders.
Methods
In a randomized controlled trial, a total of 104 adolescents were randomly assigned to the mindfulness group (n = 52) or the wait-list control group (n = 52). The mindfulness group students completed eight 45-min sessions of mindfulness training in four weeks. The outcomes were measured at baseline, postintervention, and at the 2-month follow-up.
Results
Compared with the control group, the mindfulness group had significantly greater levels of mindfulness and lower levels of problematic mobile phone use, depression, and sleep disorders postintervention. The intervention effects were maintained at the 2-month follow-up. In addition, decreased problematic mobile phone use significantly mediated the association between the MBCT intervention and decreased depression and decreased sleep disorders.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that MBCT could improve adolescent depression and sleep disorders and that decreasing problematic mobile phone use is an effective pathway accounting for the MBCT intervention effect on adolescent depression and sleep disorders.
Abstract
As the wider culture is experiencing what some call a “psychedelic renaissance,” various Christian voices are beginning to comment on this cultural moment in the press and social media. Some are curious, even open minded, about the developments; others are expressing concern about what they see as the inauthenticity and danger of psychedelics as a spiritual practice. In the academic literature, most work on the intersection of Christianity and psychedelic medicine treat either the historical question of psychedelics' possible role in the foundations of the religion or on the practical question of “should we or shouldn't we?” Absent, however, is discussion of how a Christian psychedelic practice might look. This article seeks to address this shortfall by showcasing three extant examples of what we term “psychedelic Christianity”: 1) hippies who converted to Christianity while still using psychedelic substances during the “Jesus movement”; 2) mid-twentieth-century Catholic intellectuals experimenting with the compounds for spiritual and therapeutic reasons; and 3) contemporary clergy who participated in the Johns Hopkins and NYU study with psychedelics and religious professionals. In all of this, we give special attention to the healing experienced by these Christians who undertook a psychedelic Christianity in their recourse to these substances.
