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Johnstone S, Wong C, Girard TA, Kim HS. Distal and proximal risk factors of problematic cannabis use associated with psychotic-like experiences. Addict Behav 2024; 152:107978. [PMID: 38306868 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Problematic cannabis use is associated with endorsement of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in non-clinical samples. However, little is known in regard to predictors of this relationship, which may be relevant to prevention and intervention. In the present research, we investigate impulsivity and cannabis use motives as potential distal and proximal risk factors for PLEs using conditional process analysis. METHODS Using an online cross-sectional survey of N = 300 students, we assessed endorsement of PLEs using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE), problematic cannabis use with the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT-R), motivations for using cannabis with the Substance Use Motives Measure, and impulsivity using the Urgency and Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency Impulsive Behaviour Scale (UPPS-P). RESULTS All three subscales on the CAPE were associated with significantly higher scores on the CUDIT-R. Before and after covarying for sex, we found that higher CUDIT-R scores mediated the relations between lack of perseverance and negative urgency impulsivity with higher PLE symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of cannabis use on the relationship between lack of perseverance and high negative PLE symptoms was only significant at high and moderate levels of depression-coping, but not at low depression-coping motives. CONCLUSION Impulsivity and depression-coping motives may be distal and proximal psychological risk factors for negative PLEs in the context of problematic cannabis use. Our findings are in line with the broader substance use and mental health literature and may be informative for cannabis use treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Johnstone
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cassandra Wong
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Todd A Girard
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hyoun S Kim
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Conn BM, Brammer WA, Choi S, Fedorova EV, Ataiants J, Lankenau SE, Wong CF. Mental and Physical Health-Related Cannabis Motives Mediate the Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Problematic Cannabis Use over Time among Emerging Adult Cannabis Users. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 59:193-207. [PMID: 37822106 PMCID: PMC10842029 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2267111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While growing evidence has identified mental and physical health-related cannabis use motives as significant mechanisms between childhood trauma and problematic cannabis use (PCU) for emerging adults (EA), there is a need to understand the longitudinal stability of these pathways and how they impact PCU as cannabis users age into later adulthood. METHODS The current study extends an analysis examining the impact of childhood trauma (e.g., emotional abuse, sexual abuse) on multiple indicators of PCU through a range of cannabis use motives. 339 medical cannabis patient and non-patient EA users from the Los Angeles area were sampled at baseline (mean age = 21.23; SD = 2.48). The present analysis used four waves of follow-up data collected from 2016 to 2018 (W3, W4) and 2019-2020 (W5, W6). RESULTS Use of cannabis to cope with nausea, sleep, pain, and emotional distress mediated the relationships between some types of childhood abuse and PCU at W4, though most associations attenuated by later adulthood (W6). Specifically, greater emotional distress and nausea motives were associated with greater PCU in models of emotional abuse and neglect and sexual abuse, with emotional distress continuing to mediate at W6. Conversely, sleep and pain motives were associated with lower PCU in models for emotional neglect. CONCLUSIONS Mental and physical health-related motives reflect potential intervenable factors that predict PCU in emerging adulthood among EA cannabis users with histories of childhood trauma. Results highlight the importance of and value for assessing a wide range of motives and PCU outcomes to target and address areas for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgid M Conn
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Whitney A Brammer
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Susie Choi
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ekaterina V Fedorova
- Department of Community Health and Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Janna Ataiants
- Department of Community Health and Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stephen E Lankenau
- Department of Community Health and Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carolyn F Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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3
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Levitt EE, Oshri A, Amlung M, Ray LA, Sanchez-Roige S, Palmer AA, MacKillop J. Evaluation of delay discounting as a transdiagnostic research domain criteria indicator in 1388 general community adults. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1649-1657. [PMID: 35080193 PMCID: PMC10009385 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach proposes a novel psychiatric nosology using transdiagnostic dimensional mechanistic constructs. One candidate RDoC indicator is delay discounting (DD), a behavioral economic measure of impulsivity, based predominantly on studies examining DD and individual conditions. The current study sought to evaluate the transdiagnostic significance of DD in relation to several psychiatric conditions concurrently. METHODS Participants were 1388 community adults (18-65) who completed an in-person assessment, including measures of DD, substance use, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Relations between DD and psychopathology were examined with three strategies: first, examining differences by individual condition using clinical cut-offs; second, examining DD in relation to latent psychopathology variables via principal components analysis (PCA); and third, examining DD and all psychopathology simultaneously via structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS Individual analyses revealed elevations in DD were present in participants screening positive for multiple substance use disorders (tobacco, cannabis, and drug use disorder), ADHD, major depressive disorder (MDD), and an anxiety disorder (ps < 0.05-0.001). The PCA produced two latent components (substance involvement v. the other mental health indicators) and DD was significantly associated with both (ps < 0.001). In the SEM, unique significant positive associations were observed between the DD latent variable and tobacco, cannabis, and MDD (ps < 0.05-0.001). CONCLUSIONS These results provide some support for DD as a transdiagnostic indicator, but also suggest that studies of individual syndromes may include confounding via comorbidities. Further systematic investigation of DD as an RDoC indicator is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. E. Levitt
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - A. Oshri
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Athens, Georgia, United States
| | - M. Amlung
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science, Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States
| | - L. A. Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - S. Sanchez-Roige
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
| | - A. A. Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
| | - J. MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Sofis MJ, Lemley SM, Jacobson NC, Budney AJ. Initial evaluation of domain-specific episodic future thinking on delay discounting and cannabis use. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2022; 30:918-927. [PMID: 34096759 PMCID: PMC9214768 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Episodic Future Thinking (EFT), mental simulation of personally relevant and positive future events, may modulate delay discounting (DD) in cannabis users. Whether EFT impacts cannabis use, whether DD mediates this effect, and whether EFT can be enhanced by prompting future events across specific life domains is unknown. Active, adult cannabis users (n = 90) recruited from Amazon mTurk and Qualtrics Panels were administered an Episodic Specificity Induction (ESI) to enhance quality of imagined events before being randomized to EFT, domain-specific-EFT (DS-EFT), or Episodic Recent Thinking (ERT). All participants created four, positive life events; DS-EFT participants imagined social, leisure, health, and financial events. Event-quality ratings were assessed (e.g., enjoyment). DD was assessed at baseline (Day 1), post-intervention (Days 2-4), and follow-up (Days 9-12). Cannabis use was assessed at baseline and follow-up. Differences in change in days and grams of cannabis use between conditions and mediation of changes in use by DD were examined. No differences in DD were observed between conditions. DS-EFT, but not EFT, showed significantly greater reductions in grams (d = .54) and days of cannabis use (d = .50) than ERT. DS-EFT and EFT demonstrated significantly greater event-quality ratings than ERT (ds > .55). EFT-based interventions showed potential for reducing cannabis use. Unexpectedly, effects on DD did not mediate this effect. Further testing with larger samples of cannabis users is needed to better understand EFT's mechanisms of action and determine optimal implementation strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Sofis
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health
| | - Shea M Lemley
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health
| | - Nicholas C Jacobson
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health
| | - Alan J Budney
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health
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5
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Why Use Cannabis? Examining Motives for Cannabis Use in Individuals with Anxiety Disorders. BEHAVIOUR CHANGE 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/bec.2022.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This study examined cannabis use motives in individuals with anxiety disorders and compared motives between infrequent and frequent cannabis users. It was hypothesised that coping motives would be endorsed at a significantly higher rate than other motives, and that frequent cannabis users would endorse coping motives significantly more than infrequent users. Participants were 144 adults seeking clinical services for anxiety disorders who reported using cannabis. Cannabis use was categorized by infrequent (n = 54) and frequent (n = 90) use. Anxiety symptoms were assessed and deemed clinically significant. Participants completed measures of cannabis use motives, cannabis use patterns, and cannabis use disorder symptoms, cross-sectionally. Cannabis use motives were examined for the entire sample and compared between frequent and infrequent users. In general, cannabis users endorsed coping (i.e., use for managing distress) and enhancement (i.e., use for fun, pleasant feeling, or the high) motives at equal rates (p = .265) and more than other motives (p < .001). Frequent users reported using cannabis for coping and expansion motives (i.e., use to change one's thinking) significantly more than infrequent users. These results indicate that individuals with anxiety disorders use cannabis for various reasons, some of which may not be directly related to their mental health symptoms. Future research is needed to compare motives for cannabis use in those with anxiety disorders, other mental health populations, and the general population, as well as examine motives for cannabis use within specific anxiety disorders.
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6
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Caruso M, Hoyer D, Clinton L, Correia CJ. Substance use behaviors among college students in the food service industry. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022:1-8. [PMID: 36170459 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2119396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Food service employment is associated with substance use, risk of substance use disorders and various negative consequences. Previous research has not examined the substance use patterns of students employed in food service positions. Method: During Fall of 2018, 276 undergraduates completed an anonymous online survey regarding current employment status and substance use. Results: Compared to students employed in other positions, students in food service positions reported higher levels of drinking to cope with negative affect, negative urgency, workplace substance use, marijuana use, marijuana-related problems, and motives. Food service employment was also a significant predictor of marijuana use and related consequences. Conclusions: Students in food service positions, relative to other employment positions, report elevated substance use behavior, risk factors, and negative consequences. Food service employment also contributed variance to models accounting for marijuana use and related consequences. Prevention and intervention strategies should be investigated to mitigate risk for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Caruso
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Dennis Hoyer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Lauren Clinton
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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7
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Read JP, Egerton G, Cheesman A, Steers MLN. Classifying risky cannabis involvement in young adults using the Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ). Addict Behav 2022; 129:107236. [PMID: 35149278 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the growing prevalence of cannabis use and associated consequences among U.S. young adults, relatively little is known about precisely what level of marijuana involvement may be problematic. METHOD With this study we sought to identify empirically-derived cut-scores for the Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ) that would distinguish among levels of cannabis risk in a sample of young adult college students (N = 496). We also examined how these levels of cannabis risk corresponded to a variety of indicators of cannabis involvement, including frequency of use, intoxication, other measures of cannabis consequences, and indicators of more severe cannabis involvement (e.g., physiological dependence, loss of control over use, cannabis use disorder). RESULTS Receiver operating characteristic analyses yielded cutoffs that distinguished among three distinct levels of risk, "Low", "Moderate", and "High". These empirically derived cut scores showed strong overall differentiation among classifications, with good sensitivity and specificity. MACQ-based risk levels were validated across several indices of cannabis involvement. Cutoffs differed across genders. CONCLUSIONS Findings offer a new application for the MACQ, allowing for the identification of those at greatest risk. As such, this measure may be used to facilitate appropriately targeted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P Read
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | - Gregory Egerton
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Abigail Cheesman
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Mai-Ly N Steers
- School of Nursing, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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8
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Nieto SJ, Venegas A, Burnette EM, MacKillop J, Ray LA. Additive roles of tobacco and cannabis co-use in relation to delay discounting in a sample of heavy drinkers. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1387-1395. [PMID: 34652499 PMCID: PMC9059652 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05993-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with steeper delay discounting rates; however, it is unknown whether substance co-use, particularly cannabis use, has an additive effect on discounting rates among heavy drinkers. Furthermore, it is unclear whether substance co-use and delay discounting are independently associated with AUD severity. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine whether alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis co-use impacts delay discounting rates. We also sought to determine whether substance co-use and delay discounting were associated with AUD symptom counts. METHODS The study sample was culled from several human laboratory studies and consisted of 483 heavy drinking individuals who completed a baseline visit (prior to experimental procedures). Participants were divided into groups based on self-reported alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use during the past 30 days: alcohol only (n = 184), alcohol + cigarettes (n = 89), alcohol + cannabis (n = 82), and tri-use (n = 128). We examined discounting rates across the 4 groups and used multiple linear regression to test whether co-use and delay discounting were associated with AUD symptoms. RESULTS After adjusting for covariates, individuals in the alcohol + cannabis group and the tri-use group had steeper discounting rates relative to the alcohol-only group. In addition, tri-use and delay discounting rates were independently correlated with a greater number of AUD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Delay discounting rates were significantly greater among subgroups reporting cannabis use providing partial support for an additive effect, while also highlighting the importance of co-use substance type. Both tri-use and delay discounting were associated with greater AUD severity, which may provide relevant intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Alexandra Venegas
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Burnette
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James MacKillop
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lara A Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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9
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Short NA, Evans MK, Raudales AM, Shapiro M, Weiss NH, Schmidt NB. Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use motives among trauma-exposed young adult cannabis users. Am J Addict 2022; 31:242-250. [PMID: 35365953 PMCID: PMC9117414 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Anxiety sensitivity, or fear of anxious arousal, may be an important risk factor for problematic cannabis use. Specifically, anxiety sensitivity may motivate cannabis use to cope with distress, particularly among trauma-exposed individuals. The current study tested associations among anxiety sensitivity, its subdomains, and cannabis use motives in a sample of trauma-exposed cannabis users. We hypothesized elevated anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, would be associated with increased maladaptive coping use motives, after covarying for the number of traumas and cannabis use quantity. METHOD Hypotheses were tested in a cross-sectional study of trauma-exposed young adult cannabis users (N = 56) (Mage = 20.7 years, 59% women, 73% white). Participants completed self-report measures, and a clinical interview assessing cannabis use quantity. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses indicated that elevated anxiety sensitivity was associated with increased cannabis use coping motives, after covarying for the number of traumas experienced and cannabis use quantity. Specifically, higher levels of anxiety sensitivity cognitive and social concerns were associated with coping motives for cannabis use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Anxiety sensitivity, particularly concerns about cognitive dyscontrol and negative social evaluations of anxious arousal, may motivate cannabis use to cope with stress among trauma-exposed cannabis users. Future research should include prospective studies with diverse samples to replicate results and determine whether intervening on anxiety sensitivity could reduce maladaptive coping motives for cannabis use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE The current study replicates prior research indicating anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, is associated with maladaptive cannabis use. Expanding on prior research, findings indicated anxiety sensitivity is associated with coping motives for cannabis use among trauma-exposed cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Short
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mariah K. Evans
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alexa M. Raudales
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Mary Shapiro
- Southeastern Louisiana VA Health Care System, New Orleans, LA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Norman B. Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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10
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Lloyd J, Nicklin LL, Spicer SG, Fullwood C, Uther M, Hinton DP, Parke J, Lloyd H, Close J. Development and Validation of the RAFFLE: A Measure of Reasons and Facilitators for Loot Box Engagement. J Clin Med 2021; 10:5949. [PMID: 34945245 PMCID: PMC8707097 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Qualitative studies have identified a diverse array of motivations for purchasing items within video games through chance-based mechanisms (i.e., "loot boxes"). Given that some individuals-particularly those at risk of disordered gaming and/or gambling-are prone to over-involvement with loot box purchasing, it is important to have a reliable, valid means of measuring the role of different motivations in driving purchasing behaviour. Building on prior qualitative research, this paper reports the development and validation of the "RAFFLE" scale, to measure the Reasons and Facilitators for Loot box Engagement. A 23-item, seven-factor scale was developed through cognitive interviews (n = 25) followed by two surveys of UK-based gamers who purchase loot boxes; analysed via exploratory (n = 503) and confirmatory (n = 1495) factor analysis, respectively. Subscales encompassed "enhancement'; "progression'; "social pressure'; "distraction/compulsion'; "altruism'; "fear of missing out'; and "resale". The scale showed good criterion and construct validity (correlating well with measures of loot box engagement; the risky loot box index (r = 0.63) and monthly self-reported spend (r = 0.38)), and good internal validity (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84). Parallels with, and divergence from, motivations for related activities of gaming and gambling, and alignment with broader theoretical models of motivation, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Lloyd
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK; (C.F.); (M.U.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Laura Louise Nicklin
- Institute of Education, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WS1 3BD, UK;
| | - Stuart Gordon Spicer
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; (S.G.S.); (H.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Chris Fullwood
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK; (C.F.); (M.U.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Maria Uther
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK; (C.F.); (M.U.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Daniel P. Hinton
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK; (C.F.); (M.U.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Jonathan Parke
- Sophro, Newark Beacon Innovation Centre, Cafferata Way, Newark NG24 2TN, UK;
| | - Helen Lloyd
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; (S.G.S.); (H.L.); (J.C.)
| | - James Close
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; (S.G.S.); (H.L.); (J.C.)
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Clary KL, Habbal M, Smith DC, Fratila I. The Green Sheep: Exploring the Perceived Risks and Benefits of Cannabis Among Young Military Members and Veterans. CANNABIS (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) 2021; 4:31-46. [PMID: 37287531 PMCID: PMC10212263 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Medical and recreational cannabis are becoming more accessible and socially accepted across the United States. Emerging adults (EAs; 18 to 29) are the largest group of cannabis users. Studies have found that veterans are more likely to report cannabis use compared to nonveterans. While research exists on the use levels of cannabis, limited knowledge is available on the perceived risks and benefits of using cannabis among EA military and veteran populations. Helping professionals encounter veterans who use cannabis and must consider military cultural factors and attitudes towards cannabis that may influence or exacerbate cannabis use. We conducted a qualitative study with 23 EA veteran and military members with high-risk substance use and asked about their thoughts on the acceptability, risks, and perceived benefits associated with cannabis. Two qualitative coders used NVivo to find themes following the six steps of thematic analysis. Results provide in-depth understanding of EA military members and veterans' perceptions of cannabis. Overall, we found participants were receptive to using cannabis for pain ailments, mental health issues, and as an alternative to benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol. However, they acknowledged restrictions are needed to moderate cannabis use and mitigate negative outcomes. Lastly, participants recognized the incongruence of cannabis use with military job responsibilities and expectations. These findings shed light on potential risk and protective factors related to using cannabis for recreational or medical reasons and should be considered when consulting EA military members and veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan Habbal
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Douglas C. Smith
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Iulia Fratila
- Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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12
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Cannabis Use, Age of Initiation, and Neurocognitive Performance: Findings from a Large Sample of Heavy Drinking Emerging Adults. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2021; 27:533-545. [PMID: 34261551 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617721000618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the associations between cannabis use and neurocognitive functioning, including self-reported attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, in a large sample of emerging adults (ages 21-25) using a cross-sectional design. A secondary objective was to examine age of cannabis initiation as a moderator. METHODS Participants were high-risk drinking emerging adults (n = 598) reporting past-month cannabis use in the following categories: 1) non-users (i.e., never or not in the past month; n = 276), 2) occasional users (i.e., monthly or weekly users; n = 201), and 3) daily users (n = 121). Categorical comparisons were conducted on working memory, attention, behavioral inhibition, delay and probability discounting, verbal intelligence, and ADHD symptoms. Complementary dimensional analyses examined cannabis severity in relation to neurocognition using regressions. Covariates were age, race, sex, income, years of education, tobacco use, and alcohol use. RESULTS Frequency of cannabis use was significantly associated with poorer working memory performance, more impulsive delay discounting, and greater endorsement of ADHD symptoms, but not other domains. Effect sizes were small and poorer performance was selectively present among daily, not occasional, cannabis users. Earlier age of initiation was not independently or interactively associated with neurocognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS Daily cannabis use was selectively adversely associated with aspects of memory, impulsivity, and subjective attentional functioning, but most cognitive indicators were not implicated, and evidence of amplification by earlier age of initiation was not observed. Ascertaining causal versus consequential roles of cannabis in neurocognitive functioning is an important priority.
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O'Donnell BF, Skosnik PD, Hetrick WP, Fridberg DJ. Decision Making and Impulsivity in Young Adult Cannabis Users. Front Psychol 2021; 12:679904. [PMID: 34276500 PMCID: PMC8280309 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.679904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Chronic cannabis users show impairments on laboratory measures of decision making which reflect risk factors for initiation and continued use of cannabis. However, the differential sensitivity of these tasks to cannabis use has not been established. Moreover, studies to date have often lacked assessment of psychiatric histories and use of other illicit substances, both of which may influence decision making outcomes. The current study aimed to address these limitations by (1) including multiple types of decision making tasks, (2) implementing the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task, a measure of decision making under uncertainty, for the first time in cannabis users, (3) including young adult cannabis users with no other psychiatric disorders, and (4) conducting urinalysis to exclude users of other illicit drugs. Methods: Thirty-three current cannabis users without comorbid psychiatric disorders and 35 cannabis non-users completed behavioral measures of decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task), reward discounting (Delay Discounting Task), choice-outcome learning (the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task) and a questionnaire assessment of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale). Results: Relative to non-users, cannabis users demonstrated greater preference for immediate vs. delayed rewards on the Delay Discounting Task, made fewer advantageous decisions on the Iowa Gambling Task, and endorsed greater impulsivity on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale scales. Cannabis users and non-users showed comparable performance on the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task. Frequency of past-month cannabis use and total years of use did not predict decision making or impulsivity. Conclusions: Young adult cannabis users demonstrated higher discounting rates and impairments in learning cost-benefit contingencies, while reversal learning was unaffected. Self-reported impulsivity was elevated as well. None of these measures correlated with current or lifetime estimates of cannabis use, arguing against a dose-relationship. Interventions that target improvement in affected components of decision making may be helpful in reducing cannabis use and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian F O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - William P Hetrick
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Daniel J Fridberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Hildebrandt MK, Dieterich R, Endrass T. Disentangling substance use and related problems: urgency predicts substance-related problems beyond the degree of use. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:242. [PMID: 33962614 PMCID: PMC8103599 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorders are reliably associated with high impulsivity and sensation seeking. Importantly, both precede problematic substance use, implicating them as risk factors. Individuals with substance use disorders show variable degrees of substance use (combined quantity and frequency) and substance-related problems and differ in both aspects from healthy controls. Dimensional research has indicated differential associations of impulsivity-related traits as well as sensation seeking with the degree of substance use and substance-related problems. The current study aimed to clarify whether impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking predict substance-related problems above and beyond the degree of substance use and are thus specifically linked to problems, the dimension that characterizes substance use disorders. METHOD We assessed impulsivity-related traits and sensation seeking using self-report, as well as delay discounting, a behavioral indicator of impulsivity, in a sample of 258 substance-using adults. RESULTS Sensation seeking and impulsivity-related traits significantly predicted the degree of substance use, with sensation seeking explaining the largest portion of variance. In contrast, self-reported impulsivity, in particular when experiencing negative emotions (urgency), but not sensation seeking or delay discounting, predicted substance-related problems when controlling for the degree of substance use. CONCLUSIONS This suggests that urgency, but not sensation seeking, may be specifically linked to substance-related problems and thus especially relevant for substance use disorders. Taken together, this study underlines the necessity to assess and control for the degree of substance use in risk factor research concerning substance-related problems. Thus, it may inform future research improving targeted prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin K. Hildebrandt
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Raoul Dieterich
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tanja Endrass
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Addiction Research, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46a, 01187 Dresden, Germany
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Rinehart L, Spencer S. Which came first: Cannabis use or deficits in impulse control? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110066. [PMID: 32795592 PMCID: PMC7750254 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Impulse control deficits are often found to co-occur with substance use disorders (SUDs). On the one hand, it is well known that chronic intake of drugs of abuse remodels the brain with significant consequences for a range of cognitive behaviors. On the other hand, individual variation in impulse control may contribute to differences in susceptibility to SUDs. Both of these relationships have been described, thus leading to a "chicken or the egg" debate which remains to be fully resolved. Does impulsivity precede drug use or does it manifest as a function of problematic drug usage? The link between impulsivity and SUDs has been most strongly established for cocaine and alcohol use disorders using both preclinical models and clinical data. Much less is known about the potential link between impulsivity and cannabis use disorder (CUD) or the directionality of this relationship. The initiation of cannabis use occurs most often during adolescence prior to the brain's maturation, which is recognized as a critical period of development. The long-term effects of chronic cannabis use on the brain and behavior have started to be explored. In this review we will summarize these observations, especially as they pertain to the relationship between impulsivity and CUD, from both a psychological and biological perspective. We will discuss impulsivity as a multi-dimensional construct and attempt to reconcile the results obtained across modalities. Finally, we will discuss possible avenues for future research with emerging longitudinal data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Rinehart
- University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Sade Spencer
- University of Minnesota, Department of Pharmacology, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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16
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Moitra E, Anderson BJ, Herman DS, Stein MD. Longitudinal examination of coping-motivated marijuana use and problematic outcomes among emerging adults. Addict Behav 2021; 113:106691. [PMID: 33069107 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cross-sectional research shows that coping-motivated marijuana use is associated with marijuana use and problems. However, limited research has examined how coping-motivated use might longitudinally relate to these outcomes. We examined the temporal relationship of coping-motivated marijuana use with severity of use and marijuana-related problems. METHOD Participants were 226 emerging adults, aged 18-25 years old, who currently used marijuana. Multilevel generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association between change in coping motives with change in frequency of marijuana use and marijuana problem severity from baseline to 6- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS In the adjusted models, frequency of marijuana use was positively associated with between subject differences (IRR = 1.49; 95%CI: 1.30, 1.71; p < .001) but not within subject change over time (IRR = 1.09; 95%CI: 0.97, 1.22; p = .139) in use of marijuana to cope. Additionally, marijuana problem severity scores were associated positively with between subject differences (IRR = 1.45; 95%CI: 1.21, 1.75; p < .001) and within subject changes over time (IRR = 1.30; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.57; p < .01) in use of marijuana to cope. CONCLUSIONS Changes in coping-motivated use of marijuana in emerging adults were directionally associated with changes in marijuana use and marijuana problems up to 12 months post-baseline. Results highlight the possible bi-directional relationship between coping motives and marijuana use and problems. Findings could be valuable in helping practitioners go beyond quantity and frequency as sufficient metrics of marijuana use problems. Motives for use may reflect additional problems and the clinical need to explore these possibilities.
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Sofis MJ, Lemley SM, Budney AJ. The Effects of Cannabis Use Frequency and Episodic Specificity Training on the Recall of Specific and Rewarding Events. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:643819. [PMID: 34305665 PMCID: PMC8292719 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Growing evidence implicates subjective episodic memory, the retrieval of detailed, integrated, and personally relevant past events, as a marker of cognitive vulnerability in mental disorders. Frequent and problematic cannabis use is associated with deficits in objective episodic memory (verbal memory), but the relationship between subjective episodic memory deficits and frequency of cannabis use is unknown. Further, whether a brief intervention designed to enhance the specificity of event retrieval, such as the Episodic Specificity Induction (ESI), might effectively target such deficits among regular cannabis users is unexamined. This study was designed to examine subjective episodic memory as a potential marker of cognitive vulnerability among frequent cannabis users. Methods: Active cannabis users (n = 133) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk or Qualtrics Panels were randomized to receive an ESI-control or ESI session and were separated into those who used cannabis 1-25 days in the past month (low to moderate frequency group) and those who used 26-30 days (high frequency group), which facilitated a low to moderate use/ESI-control group (n = 78), low to moderate use/ESI group (n =15), high-use/ESI-control group (n = 20), and high-use/ESI group (n = 20). Following the ESI or ESI-control intervention, participants selected four, positive events from the prior day, described the who, what, and where of the events, and rated how specific (vividness) and rewarding (enjoyable, importance, and exciting) each event was on a 0-100 scale. Four two-way ANCOVAs (demographics and problematic cannabis use covariates) were performed to examine the effects of frequency of cannabis use group and ESI group on the specificity and reward ratings. Results: Lower vividness and excitement ratings were reported for those with high relative to low to moderate cannabis use frequency patterns (p < 0.05). Those who received ESI reported greater vividness, excitement, and importance ratings than the ESI-control group (p < 0.01). No significant interactions between frequency and ESI were found. Conclusion: Findings from the current exploratory study provide initial evidence suggesting that more frequent cannabis use may be associated with the retrieval of less specific and rewarding events relative to less frequent users. Further, ESI may improve such deficits. Future studies that recruit larger and more clinically serious samples of cannabis users appear warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Sofis
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Shea M Lemley
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Alan J Budney
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States
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Liu C, Yücel M, Suo C, Le Pelley ME, Tiego J, Rotaru K, Fontenelle LF, Albertella L. Reward-Related Attentional Capture Moderates the Association between Fear-Driven Motives and Heavy Drinking. Eur Addict Res 2021; 27:351-361. [PMID: 33706304 DOI: 10.1159/000513470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, there has been little investigation on how motivational and cognitive mechanisms interact to influence problematic drinking behaviours. Towards this aim, the current study examined whether reward-related attentional capture is associated with reward, fear (relief), and habit drinking motives, and further, whether it interacts with these motives in relation to problematic drinking patterns. METHODS Ninety participants (mean age = 34.8 years, SD = 9.1, 54% male) who reported having consumed alcohol in the past month completed an online visual search task that measured reward-related attentional capture as well as the Habit Reward Fear Scale, a measure of drinking motives. Participants also completed measures of psychological distress, impulsivity, compulsive drinking, and consumption items of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Regression analyses examined the associations between motives for alcohol consumption and reward-related attentional capture, as well as the associations between reward-related attentional capture, motives, and their interaction, with alcohol consumption and problems. RESULTS Greater reward-related attentional capture was associated with greater reward motives. Further, reward-related attentional capture also interacted with fear motives in relation to alcohol consumption. Follow-up analyses showed that this interaction was driven by greater fear motives being associated with heavier drinking among those with lower reward-related attentional capture (i.e., "goal-trackers"). CONCLUSION These findings have implications for understanding how cognition may interact with motives in association with problematic drinking. Specifically, the findings highlight different potential pathways to problematic drinking according to an individual's cognitive-motivational profile and may inform tailored interventions to target profile-specific mechanisms. Finally, these findings offer support for contemporary models of addiction that view excessive goal-directed behaviour under negative affect as a critical contributor to addictive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chao Suo
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mike E Le Pelley
- School of Psychology, UNSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeggan Tiego
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristian Rotaru
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonardo F Fontenelle
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, .,Institute of Psychiatry, Obsessive, Compulsive, and Anxiety Research Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, .,D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
| | - Lucy Albertella
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Sofis MJ, Borodovsky JT, Pike CK, Liu L, Jacobson NC, Budney AJ. Sifting through the weeds: Relationships between cannabis use frequency measures and delay discounting. Addict Behav 2021; 112:106573. [PMID: 32805539 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delay Discounting (DD) relates to more frequent cannabis use, but results are variable, potentially because of variations in whether integrated or single-item measures are used, and whether the timeframe of measures is narrow or broad. Explicating the relationship between DD and cannabis use may result from comparing use indices that vary on these characteristics. METHODS This online study of current cannabis users (n = 1,800) assessed DD and three cannabis use frequency items: number of days of use in the past month, times used per day, and weekly-monthly use. A fourth index derived with Latent Class Analysis (LCA) integrated days per month and times per day to try to better characterize frequency patterns. Effect sizes reflecting relations between cannabis use frequency indices and DD were compared. RESULTS Three frequency classes emerged from the LCA (Low-Moderate-High). DD was significantly associated with times per day (r = 0.11, d = 0.21), days of use (r = 0.09, d = 0.18), and the LCA index (r = 0.06, d = 0.13), but not weekly-monthly use (r = 0.04, d = 0.09). Times per day was more strongly related to DD than LCA classes (p < 0.01) and weekly-monthly use (p < 0.05), but not days of use (p = 0.66). Days of use exhibited a stronger relationship with DD than weekly-monthly use (p < 0.001), but not LCA classes (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use frequency measures with narrower timeframes may demonstrate stronger positive relationships to DD. The LCA index did not improve the relationship between frequency and DD, potentially because of shared variance between use days and times per day. Specific characteristics of cannabis use frequency may be particularly indicative of excessive DD.
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Kroon E, Kuhns L, Cousijn J. The short-term and long-term effects of cannabis on cognition: recent advances in the field. Curr Opin Psychol 2020; 38:49-55. [PMID: 32823178 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to discuss the most recent evidence for the short-term and long-term effects of cannabis on cognition. The evidence that cannabis intoxication is associated with short-term impairment across several basal cognitive domains, including learning and (episodic) memory, attentional control, and motor inhibition is increasing. However, evidence regarding the effects of long-term heavy cannabis use on cognition remains equivocal. Cannabis research suffers from difficulties in measuring cannabis exposure history, poor control over potential subacute effects, and heterogeneity in cognitive measures and sample composition. Multidisciplinary collaborations and investment in studies that help overcome these difficulties should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Kroon
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lauren Kuhns
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; The Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center (ABC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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