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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.
Abstract
Background and aims
Psychedelics show promise for treatment of mental health conditions (MHCs). But there is relatively little research on indigenous psychedelics conducted in the Global South (GS). Much research is carried out in the Global North, where there are different cultural perceptions of mental health and psychedelics. Therefore, this paper appraises research on psychedelics for treatment or therapy where research was carried out in the GS.
Method
A systematic review of research literature was conducted from 1st January 2010 to 31st July 2023. Medline, PsychINFO and Global Health databases were searched for studies of patients undergoing treatment for MHCs with psychedelics.
Results
Data from 27 papers were extracted and narratively synthesized. A total of 984 participants were included suffering from depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders. The studies investigated the feasibility of psychedelic treatments and presented evidence for their safety. There was preliminary efficacy data for ayahuasca, iboga, 5-MeO-DMT, psylocibin, and MDMA in the treatment of some MHCs. All studies were conducted in line with ethical and medical guidelines, and no serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusion
A renaissance of clinical psychedelic research on substances that have been used as traditional medicines in the GS presents promising evidence for treatment efficacy and safety across a range of MHCs. Psychedelics present an exciting new treatment approach for people in the GS, in a health area with considerable unmet need. Moreover, research demonstrated cost-effectiveness, while results suggested no significant safety concerns or side effects.
Felügyelt gépi tanulási módszerek alkalmazása a pszichológiai kutatásokban
Using supervised machine learning methods in psychological research
A pszichológiai kutatások számos területén hasznosítható a felügyelt gépi tanulás, amelynek alkalmazásával összetettebb adatok elemzése válik lehetségessé. Célunk, hogy bemutassuk a felügyelt gépi tanulás fajtáit, működését és használatát a pszichológiai kutatásokban. Áttekintjük a gépi tanulás előnyeit, valamint a túlillesztés, torzítási hiba és adatvariabilitás fogalmait, amelyek segítenek a modellválasztásban, és az eredmények robusztusságának biztosításában. Röviden bemutatjuk továbbá a legfontosabb felügyelt gépi tanulási algoritmusokat, és leírjuk a változók és adatok előkészítésének legfontosabb lépéseit. Egy példaelemzés keretében bemutatjuk, hogyan modellezhető egyetemi hallgatók lépcső és lift közötti választása felügyelt gépi tanulással. A cikk végén kitérünk a gépi tanulás korlátaira és annak helyére a pszichológusok oktatásában. Reméljük, hogy a bemutatott ismeretek segítenek a pszichológusoknak a gépi tanulás hatékonyabb és kreatívabb használatában.
A Munkakörformálás (Job Crafting) Skála magyar változata
Adapting the Job Crafting Scale to Hungarian
Háttér és célkitűzések: A kutatásban a Munkakörformálás (Job Crafting) Skála magyar nyelvre történő adaptálása és a munkakörformálás (job crafting) konstruktumának magyar kontextusban végzett tanulmányozása került célkitűzésre. A munkakörformálás (job crafting) jóllétre gyakorolt befolyása kedvezően hathat a munkahelyi elköteleződésre, az észlelt autonómiára, a munkahelyi kimaradásra, valamint javíthatja a teljesítményt. A jelenség munkahelyi elégedettséggel való együttjárása által továbbá javulhat a szervezetek hatékonysága és eredményessége, valamint csökkenhet a munkavállalók kiégésének bekövetkezési valószínűsége. A munkakörformálás (job crafting) által megtapasztalt értelmes munka pedig mérsékelheti a munkahelyelhagyási szándékot és a depresszív tüneteket, valamint növelheti a munkahelyi elköteleződést és a rezilienciára való képességet. Habár a szakirodalom nagy része a pozitív következményeket hangsúlyozza, a jelenség negatív hatásai is ismertek. Ezek alapján a kihívást kereső munkahelyi viselkedés kontraproduktív hozzáállással párosulhat, így a munkakörformálás (job crafting) vizsgálata munkahelyi környezetben mindenképp releváns lehet. Módszer: Az online adatfelvételben 645 dolgozó személy vett részt (67,29% nő), akik életkora 18 és 65 év között mozgott. A mintát többségében szellemi munkát végző, felsőfokú végzettséggel rendelkező egyének alkották. A validitásvizsgálat a WHO Jóllét Kérdőívvel, a Munkával Való Elégedettség Kérdőívvel és a Munka Értelmessége Kérdőívvel történt. Eredmények: A vizsgálat során a Munkakörformálás (Job Crafting) Skála faktorstruktúrája megerősítő faktorelemzés által reprodukálásra került. Az érvényességi vizsgálat során a munkakörformálás (job crafting) a jólléttel, munkával való elégedettséggel és a munka értelmességével való pozitív együttjárása kimutatásra került, eredményeink alapján a kérdőív megfelelő érvényességgel és megfelelő reliabilitással alkalmazható. Következtetések: A kutatás megerősíti, hogy a munkakörformálás (job crafting) a jólléten, a munkával való elégedettségen és a munka értelmességén keresztül számos pozitív következményt hordoz magával. Feltételezhető, hogy a kérdőív ezen tényezőkön keresztül megfelelő eszközként szolgálhat a szervezetek optimális működésének elősegítésében.
