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Murphy CM, Scott K, Colby SM, Yermash J, Evans EW, Wing RR, Kolbasov LA, Rohsenow DJ. "Healthier health in more ways than one": Perspectives on a program for changing both smoking and obesity-related health behaviors. Eat Behav 2024; 53:101883. [PMID: 38733698 PMCID: PMC11199202 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2024.101883] [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] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Individuals with obesity who smoke cigarettes have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The goal of the current study was to inform the development of a multiple health behavior change intervention designed to facilitate smoking cessation while also targeting weight gain. METHODS Four qualitative focus groups were conducted with individuals who smoked cigarettes and had overweight or obesity (n = 16) to explore the combined effects of smoking and obesity, past attempts to quit smoking or lose weight, and preferences for a combined health intervention. RESULTS Focus groups converged on five themes including: the interactive effects of weight and smoking; lack of experience with evidence-based weight loss approaches; a desire and expectation to lose weight quickly; rapid weight gain during past attempts at smoking cessation; and interest in a multiple health behavior change intervention with weight management preceding smoking cessation and an emphasis on planning for the future and receiving encouragement and support. CONCLUSIONS Groups provided insight into key topics to highlight in a combined intervention and key issues that have interfered with success in both domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara M Murphy
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Kelli Scott
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne M Colby
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Julia Yermash
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - E Whitney Evans
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rena R Wing
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Liza A Kolbasov
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Damaris J Rohsenow
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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2
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Bunney PE, Smethells JR, LeSage MG. Substitutability of nicotine and sucrose in rats: A behavioral economic analysis. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 232:173635. [PMID: 37714222 PMCID: PMC10937332 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173635] [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] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable evidence suggesting that sweet foods are a substitute for nicotine in humans, no formal behavioral economic analysis of this interrelationship has been conducted in nonhumans. The purpose of the present study was to examine this phenomenon in rats using concurrent schedules of sucrose pellet, chow pellet, and nicotine reinforcer delivery. Rats responded on separate levers that delivered sucrose pellets, chow pellets, or nicotine infusions under concurrent fixed-ratio (FR) 1 schedules for each commodity within a closed economy. Following stable food and nicotine intake, the unit price of either sucrose or nicotine (the primary commodity) was increased while the two alternative commodities remained unchanged. Substitution was quantified using a behavioral economic cross-price model, as well as a novel commodity relation index that normalizes consumption of dissimilar commodities. Asymmetrical partial substitution was observed, wherein sucrose served as a partial substitute for nicotine, but nicotine failed to substitute for sucrose. Moreover, sucrose was a stronger partial substitute for nicotine than chow in most rats. These findings indicate that substitution of food for nicotine depends on the type of food. These findings mirror the selective increase in carbohydrate intake that can occur during smoking cessation and demonstrate a behavioral economic mechanism that may mediate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E Bunney
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - John R Smethells
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark G LeSage
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Departments of Pharmacology and Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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3
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Brown RM, James MH. Binge eating, overeating and food addiction: Approaches for examining food overconsumption in laboratory rodents. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 123:110717. [PMID: 36623582 PMCID: PMC10162020 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Overeating ranges in severity from casual overindulgence to an overwhelming drive to consume certain foods. At its most extreme, overeating can manifest as clinical diagnoses such as binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, yet subclinical forms of overeating such as emotional eating or uncontrolled eating can still have a profoundly negative impact on health and wellbeing. Although rodent models cannot possibly capture the full spectrum of disordered overeating, studies in laboratory rodents have substantially progressed our understanding of the neurobiology of overconsumption. These experimental approaches range from simple food-exposure protocols that promote binge-like eating and the development of obesity, to more complex operant procedures designed to examine distinct 'addiction-like' endophenotypes for food. This review provides an overview of these experimental approaches, with the view to providing a comprehensive resource for preclinical investigators seeking to utilize behavioural models for studying the neural systems involved in food overconsumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Morgan H James
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, NJ, USA; Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, NJ, USA.
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Weinsztok SC, Reed DD, Amlung M. Substance-related cross-commodity purchase tasks: A systematic review. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:72-86. [PMID: 35787100 PMCID: PMC9810764 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000851] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the context of behavioral economics, drug use is a choice to which an individual may allocate responding despite the presence of alternative response possibilities. To examine the demand for a drug in an environment in which other drugs or nondrug alternatives are present, researchers often use a cross-commodity purchase task. These tasks allow participants to make choices across several reinforcers at varied unit prices and may elucidate behavioral economic patterns of substitutability and complementarity. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of cross-commodity purchase task studies with human participants. METHOD Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we screened 46 full-text studies (from 456 total records obtained from PsycINFO and PubMed databases and reference list search), yielding a final sample of 35 studies. RESULTS The drug category with the largest number of studies assessed was tobacco and nicotine products. The most consistent economic relationships found were substitutability of traditional cigarettes by e-cigarettes and e-liquid, and both legal and illegal cannabis for the other; however, other substitutable and complementary relationships were observed (e.g., substitution of food for cigarettes, a complementary relationship between alcohol and cannabis). CONCLUSIONS We discuss the implications of the results of this review from a treatment and harm reduction standpoint, highlight areas for future research particularly among drug categories with few studies and evaluating ecological validity of hypothetical measures, and make best practice recommendations for future cross-commodity drug-related purchase task research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Weinsztok
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas
| | - Derek D. Reed
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas
| | - Michael Amlung
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas
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5
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Vuchinich RE, Tucker JA, Acuff SF, Reed DD, Buscemi J, Murphy JG. Matching, behavioral economics, and teleological behaviorism: Final cause analysis of substance use and health behavior. J Exp Anal Behav 2023; 119:240-258. [PMID: 36541360 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Howard Rachlin and his contemporaries pioneered basic behavioral science innovations that have been usefully applied to advance understanding of human substance use disorder and related health behaviors. We briefly summarize the innovations of molar behaviorism (the matching law), behavioral economics, and teleological behaviorism. Behavioral economics and teleological behaviorism's focus on final causes are especially illuminating for these applied fields. Translational and applied research are summarized for laboratory studies of temporal discounting and economic demand, cohort studies of alcohol and other drug use in the natural environment, and experimental behavioral economic modeling of health behavior-related public health policies. We argue that the teleological behavioral perspective on health behavior is conducive to and merges seamlessly with the contemporary socioecological model of health behavior, which broadens the contextual influences (e.g., community, economic, infrastructure, health care access and policy) of individuals' substance use and other health risk behaviors. Basic-to-applied translations to date have been successful and bode well for continued applications of basic science areas pioneered by Howard Rachlin and his contemporaries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jalie A Tucker
- University of Florida and Center for Behavioral Economic Health Research, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - Derek D Reed
- University of Kansas and Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, Lawrence, KS
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Littman D, Sherman SE, Troxel AB, Stevens ER. Behavioral Economics and Tobacco Control: Current Practices and Future Opportunities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8174. [PMID: 35805833 PMCID: PMC9266334 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite considerable progress, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. To address the considerable health and economic burden of tobacco use, the development of improved tobacco control and treatment interventions is critical. By combining elements of economics and psychology, behavioral economics provides a framework for novel solutions to treat smokers who have failed to quit with traditional smoking cessation interventions. The full range of behavioral economic principles, however, have not been widely utilized in the realm of tobacco control and treatment. Given the need for improved tobacco control and treatment, the limited use of other behavioral economic principles represents a substantial missed opportunity. For this reason, we sought to describe the principles of behavioral economics as they relate to tobacco control, highlight potential gaps in the behavioral economics tobacco research literature, and provide examples of potential interventions that use each principle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Littman
- Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.L.); (S.E.S.); (A.B.T.)
| | - Scott E. Sherman
- Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.L.); (S.E.S.); (A.B.T.)
- Department of Medicine, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Andrea B. Troxel
- Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.L.); (S.E.S.); (A.B.T.)
| | - Elizabeth R. Stevens
- Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.L.); (S.E.S.); (A.B.T.)
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7
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Bickel WK, Freitas-Lemos R, Tegge AN, Tomlinson DC, Epstein LH. Behavioral economic cigarette demand among individuals who smoke with and without obesity. Health Psychol 2021; 40:666-673. [PMID: 34881934 PMCID: PMC9972959 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity and cigarette smoking are leading preventable causes of mortality, with greater mortality risk when these disorders occur together. Comorbid obesity and cigarette smoking may affect the valuation of cigarettes. The present study examines the demand for cigarettes between obese and nonobese smokers. METHOD Participants (N = 187) from four in-laboratory studies completed the hypothetical cigarette purchase task. According to self-reported height and weight, participants were assigned to either the obese group (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30) or to the nonobese group (BMI < 30). RESULTS Significant differences in demand intensity were observed between individuals with and without obesity, F(1, 168) = 9.284, p = .003, with individuals who smoke and are obese showing higher demand intensity (product purchasing when free). These differences in demand intensity between groups remained after adjusting for the number of cigarettes consumed per day. No differences were observed in elasticity of demand, F(1, 168) = 1.033, p = .311. CONCLUSIONS The results reported here suggest that individuals who smoke and are obese may value brief, intense, and immediate reinforcers more than individuals who smoke and are not obese. Further research may suggest reinforcer pathology as a basis for this result. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren K. Bickel
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | | | - Allison N. Tegge
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA,Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Devin C. Tomlinson
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA,Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, USA
| | - Leonard H. Epstein
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
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8
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Lin H, Xiong X, Liu Y, Zhao Y, Tang R, Nyandwi C. The substitution effect of grass-fed livestock products on grain-fed livestock products from the perspective of supply-side reform in China. RANGELAND JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/rj20072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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9
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Strickland JC, Campbell EM, Lile JA, Stoops WW. Utilizing the commodity purchase task to evaluate behavioral economic demand for illicit substances: a review and meta-analysis. Addiction 2020; 115:393-406. [PMID: 31454109 DOI: 10.1111/add.14792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ANDAIMS The commodity purchase task is a simulated demand procedure that is easy and quick to complete (< 5 minutes) as well as adaptable for remote delivery and use with varied study populations. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to synthesize research using the commodity purchase task with illicit substances to evaluate the magnitude of omnibus effects sizes and moderators of the correlation of demand indices with quantity-frequency (QF) and severity measures. DESIGN Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions involving studies with cross-sectional correlational designs. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Eleven studies, 10 outcomes and 2146 participants from two countries (USA and UK) published up to 1 October 2018. MEASUREMENTS Omnibus effect sizes (correlation coefficients) of five demand indices from the commodity purchase task [intensity (unconstrained consumption), elasticity (price sensitivity), Omax (maximum expenditure), Pmax (price at maximum expenditure) and breakpoint (first price of zero consumption)] with QF and severity measures. Meta-regression models tested moderators of effect sizes (i.e. sample age and sex composition, commodity type and number of prices used in the commodity purchase task). FINDINGS Significant omnibus effect sizes were observed with QF and severity measures for intensity (r = 0.32/0.28, QF/severity, respectively), elasticity (r = -0.14/-0.18), Omax (r = 0.30/0.29) and breakpoint (r = 0.17/0.22) values. Pmax was only significantly associated with severity measures (r = 0.15). The percentage of female participants and number of prices used in the purchase task significantly moderated Pmax and breakpoint effect-size estimates in that stronger associations were observed in samples with a greater percentage of women and in studies using tasks with more price points. Commodity type (cannabis versus cocaine) did not significantly moderate associations involving any demand index. CONCLUSIONS Behavioral economic demand as measured by the commodity purchase task is consistently correlated with measures of illicit substance use quantity-frequency and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C Strickland
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Ethan M Campbell
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Joshua A Lile
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - William W Stoops
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.,Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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10
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Zvorsky I, Nighbor TD, Kurti AN, DeSarno M, Naudé G, Reed DD, Higgins ST. Sensitivity of hypothetical purchase task indices when studying substance use: A systematic literature review. Prev Med 2019; 128:105789. [PMID: 31400376 PMCID: PMC6879840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hypothetical Purchase Tasks (HPTs) simulate demand for a substance as a function of escalating price. HPTs are increasingly used to examine relationships between substance-related correlates and outcomes and demand typically characterized using a common battery of indices (Intensity, Omax, Pmax, Breakpoint, Elasticity). This review examines the relative sensitivity of the HPT indices. Reports were identified using the search term "purchase task" in PubMed and Web of Science. For inclusion, reports had to be original studies in English, examine relationships between HPT indices and substance-related correlates or outcomes, and appear in a peer-reviewed journal through December 2017. Indices were compared using effect sizes (Cohen's d) and the proportion of studies in which statistically significant relationships were observed. The search identified 1274 reports with 114 (9%) receiving full-text review and 82 (6%) meeting inclusion criteria. 41 reports examined alcohol, 34 examined cigarettes/nicotine products, and 10 examined other substances. Overall, statistically significant relationships between HPT indices and substance-related correlates and outcomes were most often reported for Intensity (88.61%, 70/79), followed by Omax (81.16%, 56/69), Elasticity (72.15%, 57/59), Breakpoint (62.12%, 41/66), and Pmax (48.08%; 25/52). The largest effect sizes were observed for Intensity (0.75 ± 0.04, CI 0.67-0.84) and Omax (0.64 ± 0.04, CI 0.56-0.71), followed by Elasticity (0.44 ± 0.04, CI 0.37-0.51), Breakpoint (0.30 ± 0.03, CI 0.25-0.36), and Pmax (0.25 ± 0.04, CI 0.18-0.33). Patterns were largely consistent across substances. In conclusion, HPTs can be highly effective in revealing relationships between demand and substance-related correlates and outcomes, with Intensity and Omax exhibiting the greatest sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivori Zvorsky
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, United States of America; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, United States of America
| | - Tyler D Nighbor
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, United States of America
| | - Allison N Kurti
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, United States of America; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, United States of America
| | - Michael DeSarno
- Department of Biomedical Statistics, University of Vermont, United States of America
| | - Gideon Naudé
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, University of Kansas, United States of America
| | - Derek D Reed
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, University of Kansas, United States of America
| | - Stephen T Higgins
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, United States of America; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, United States of America.
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11
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Strickland JC, Alcorn JL, Stoops WW. Using behavioral economic variables to predict future alcohol use in a crowdsourced sample. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:779-790. [PMID: 30789298 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119827800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theoretical perspectives at the intersection of behavioral economics and operant theory have resulted in numerous advances for addiction science. Three mechanisms (i.e. behavioral economic demand [consumption-price relationships], delay discounting [reinforcer devaluation with delay], and proportionate alcohol-related reinforcement [relative reinforcement attributable to alcohol]) are proposed to contribute to problematic alcohol use. Limited research has evaluated the unique contribution of these mechanisms for predicting future alcohol consumption. AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive relationship between these mechanisms and self-reported alcohol use frequency, quantity, and severity. METHODS Participants (n=223) sampled from the crowdsourcing website Amazon Mechanical Turk completed a survey containing behavioral economic measures. Weekly reports of daily alcohol use were then collected for 18 weeks. Unadjusted and adjusted models determined the association between behavioral economic variables and alcohol use. RESULTS/OUTCOMES Behavioral economic measures were associated with alcohol and soda use at baseline in a stimulus-selective manner (e.g. alcohol demand associated with alcohol, but not soda, variables). Predictive models adjusted for Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test scores indicated that increased proportionate alcohol-related reinforcement and behavioral economic demand were uniquely and incrementally associated with frequency (e.g. adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=5.54 for proportionate alcohol-related reinforcement, p<0.05) and quantity-severity measures (e.g. AOR=7.58 for alcohol demand intensity, p<0.001), respectively. Test-retest reliability was generally acceptable (rxx=0.42-0.76) with the exception of proportionate alcohol-related reinforcement (rxx=0.29). CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION These findings indicate the unique, predictive, and incremental validity of behavioral economic measures for evaluating future alcohol consumption, supporting their continued use in addiction science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C Strickland
- 1 Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Joseph L Alcorn
- 2 Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - William W Stoops
- 1 Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA.,4 Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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12
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Epstein LH, Paluch RA, Carr KA, Temple JL, Bickel WK, MacKillop J. Reinforcing value and hypothetical behavioral economic demand for food and their relation to BMI. Eat Behav 2018; 29:120-127. [PMID: 29656049 PMCID: PMC9664377 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Food is a primary reinforcer, and food reinforcement is related to obesity. The reinforcing value of food can be measured by establishing how hard someone will work to get food on progressive-ratio schedules. An alternative way to measure food reinforcement is a hypothetical purchase task which creates behavioral economic demand curves. This paper studies whether reinforcing value and hypothetical behavioral demand approaches are assessing the same or unique aspects of food reinforcement for low (LED) and high (HED) energy density foods using a combination of analytic approaches in females of varying BMI. Results showed absolute reinforcing value for LED and HED foods and relative reinforcing value were related to demand intensity (r's = 0.20-0.30, p's < 0.01), and demand elasticity (r's = 0.17-0.22, p's < 0.05). Correlations between demographic, BMI and restraint, disinhibition and hunger variables with the two measures of food reinforcement were different. Finally, the two measures provided unique contributions to predicting BMI. Potential reasons for differences between the reinforcing value and hypothetical purchase tasks were actual responding versus hypothetical purchasing, choice of reinforcers versus purchasing of individual foods in the demand task, and the differential role of effort in the two tasks. Examples of how a better understanding of food reinforcement may be useful to prevent or treat obesity are discussed, including engaging in alternative non-food reinforcers as substitutes for food, such as crafts or socializing in a non-food environment, and reducing the value of immediate food reinforcers by episodic future thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard H. Epstein
- University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States,Corresponding author at: Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Farber Hall, Room G56, 3435 Main Street, Building #26, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, United States. (L. H. Epstein)
| | - Rocco A. Paluch
- University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States
| | - Katelyn A. Carr
- University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Temple
- University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States
| | | | - James MacKillop
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Canada
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13
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Townsend EA, Platt DM, Rowlett JK, Roma PG, Freeman KB. Reinforcing effectiveness of midazolam, ethanol, and sucrose: behavioral economic comparison of a mixture relative to its component solutions. Behav Pharmacol 2017; 28:386-393. [PMID: 28537943 PMCID: PMC5648065 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZs) are relatively safe when administered alone. However, these drugs can produce severe side effects when coadministered with ethanol. Despite these adverse consequences, rates of concurrent BZ and ethanol misuse are increasing, and it is unclear whether this behavior is maintained by an enhanced reinforcing effect of the mixture. To address this issue, the current study compared the reinforcing effectiveness of sucrose solutions mixed with midazolam, ethanol, or both. Eight male rats were trained to orally self-administer solutions of either sucrose (S), sucrose+midazolam (SM), sucrose+ethanol (SE), or sucrose+midazolam+ethanol (SME). The response requirement was increased between sessions until the number of reinforcers earned was zero and the relationship between response requirement and reinforcers earned was analyzed using the exponential model of demand. Although baseline intake was similar across drug conditions, consumption of SM was least affected by increases in cost, indicating that it possessed the highest reinforcing effectiveness (i.e. least elastic). The reinforcing effectiveness of S, SE, and SME did not differ significantly. The finding that the reinforcing effectiveness of the SME was less than that of SM does not support the supposition that BZ and ethanol coadministration is maintained by a higher reinforcing effectiveness of the mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Andrew Townsend
- Division of Neurobiology and Behavior Research, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Donna M. Platt
- Division of Neurobiology and Behavior Research, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - James K. Rowlett
- Division of Neurobiology and Behavior Research, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Peter G. Roma
- Institutes for Behavior Resources, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kevin B. Freeman
- Division of Neurobiology and Behavior Research, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
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