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Bird BM, Levitt EE, Stewart SH, Wanklyn SG, Meyer EC, Murphy JG, McDevitt-Murphy ME, MacKillop J. Posttraumatic stress and delay discounting: a meta-analytic review. Psychol Med 2024; 54:437-446. [PMID: 37947238 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723003069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Delay discounting-the extent to which individuals show a preference for smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards-has been proposed as a transdiagnostic neurocognitive process across mental health conditions, but its examination in relation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is comparatively recent. To assess the aggregated evidence for elevated delay discounting in relation to posttraumatic stress, we conducted a meta-analysis on existing empirical literature. Bibliographic searches identified 209 candidate articles, of which 13 articles with 14 independent effect sizes were eligible for meta-analysis, reflecting a combined sample size of N = 6897. Individual study designs included case-control (e.g. examination of differences in delay discounting between individuals with and without PTSD) and continuous association studies (e.g. relationship between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and delay discounting). In a combined analysis of all studies, the overall relationship was a small but statistically significant positive association between posttraumatic stress and delay discounting (r = .135, p < .0001). The same relationship was statistically significant for continuous association studies (r = .092, p = .027) and case-control designs (r = .179, p < .001). Evidence of publication bias was minimal. The included studies were limited in that many did not concurrently incorporate other psychiatric conditions in the analyses, leaving the specificity of the relationship to posttraumatic stress less clear. Nonetheless, these findings are broadly consistent with previous meta-analyses of delayed reward discounting in relation to other mental health conditions and provide further evidence for the transdiagnostic utility of this construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Bird
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Emily E Levitt
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sherry H Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sonya G Wanklyn
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Eric C Meyer
- Department of Counseling and Behavioral Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James G Murphy
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - James MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Schultz NR, Frohe T, Correia CJ, Ramirez JJ. Why get high? Coping and enjoyment motives mediate elevated cannabis demand and cannabis-related outcomes. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:796-808. [PMID: 37326532 PMCID: PMC10524677 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000937] [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] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cannabis is the most used psychoactive substance among adolescents and is a public health concern. Cannabis demand is a quantifiable measure of the reinforcing value of cannabis and comprises two latent-factors-amplitude (maximum consumption) and persistence (sensitivity to increasing costs). Cannabis demand and cannabis motives are important predictors of adolescent cannabis use and associated problems; however, little is known about how these two facets of motivation are causally related. Cannabis motives are thought to represent the final common pathway to cannabis use and may explain why elevated demand is associated with use and consequences. The present study tested whether internal cannabis motives (coping and enjoyment) mediated longitudinal associations between cannabis demand, use (hours high), and negative consequences. METHOD Participants aged 15-18 years old (n = 89, Mage = 17.0, SD = 0.9) who reported lifetime cannabis use completed online assessments of cannabis demand, motives, use and negative consequences at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS PROCESS mediation models revealed that enjoyment motives mediated the association between amplitude and persistence and use. In addition, coping motives mediated the association between amplitude and negative consequences. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that internal motives, while differentially related to aspects of demand and cannabis outcomes, are important in understanding adolescent cannabis use. Prevention efforts aimed at limiting access to cannabis and increasing access to substance-free activities may be important targets for adolescents. Further, cannabis interventions targeting specific motives for using (e.g., to cope with negative affect) may be important for reducing cannabis demand. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Schultz
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, 2230 Stockton Blvd, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Tessa Frohe
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Box 354944, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA (Institution of origin)
| | - Christopher J Correia
- Department of Psychological Sciences, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Jason J. Ramirez
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Box 354944, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA (Institution of origin)
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Butterworth B, Hand CJ, Lorimer K, Gawrylowicz J. The impact of post-encoding alcohol consumption on episodic memory recall and remember-know responses in heavy drinkers. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1007477. [PMID: 36960000 PMCID: PMC10027770 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1007477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction People often consume alcohol following trauma, particularly in response to distressing memories. To date, little is known about how post-encoding alcohol consumption influences episodic memory recall for negative events. Understanding these effects may help to improve support for trauma victims - for example, witnesses and victims of crimes. Methods We tested 60 participants who self-described as heavy drinkers. After watching an analog trauma film, half were allocated to consuming a moderate dose of alcohol (Alcohol-Exposed group), while half received a placebo drink (Placebo-Control group). Immediately and after a one-week delay, participants recalled the event via free and cued recall tasks. Participants also gave remember-know responses and confidence ratings, elucidating alcohol's effect on experiential memory. Results Free recall performance was similar for the Alcohol-Exposed group and the Placebo-Control group during Sessions 1 and 2. The Alcohol-Exposed group benefitted more from the delayed repeated retrieval attempt. For the cued recall task, the Alcohol-Exposed group provided more "Do not Know" responses compared to the Placebo-Control group in both sessions. For the Alcohol-Exposed group only "Correct Know" responses increased from Session 1 to 2. Although memory performance improved across sessions, confidence levels decreased from Session 1 to 2 in the Alcohol-Exposed group. Discussion Post-encoding alcohol consumption appears to impact immediate episodic memory retrieval; however, this effect is only temporary in nature. No evidence was found that alcohol primarily reduces remembering responses. Much like previous findings focusing on pre-encoding alcohol consumption (Hagsand et al., 2017), current findings suggest that providing individuals who drank alcohol after witnessing an incident with a delayed repeated retrieval attempt can lead to more complete and accurate testimonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Butterworth
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Butterworth, ; Julie Gawrylowicz,
| | | | - Karen Lorimer
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Gawrylowicz
- Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Butterworth, ; Julie Gawrylowicz,
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Thrailkill EA, DeSarno M, Higgins ST. Intersections between environmental reward availability, loss aversion, and delay discounting as potential risk factors for cigarette smoking and other substance use. Prev Med 2022; 165:107270. [PMID: 36152818 PMCID: PMC10876085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107270] [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] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral theory suggests that density of environmental rewarding activities and biases in decision making influence risk for substance use disorder (SUD). To better understand intersections of these potential risk factors, this study examined whether environmental reward predicted smoking status or other drug use and whether such associations were independent of two decision-making biases known to predict SUD risk, namely loss aversion and delay discounting. Individuals that reported current daily cigarette smoking (n = 186; >10 cigarettes/day) and never-smoking (n = 241; <100 cigarettes lifetime) were recruited with standard crowdsourcing methods. Participants answered questions on alcohol and other drug use. Environmental reward was assessed using the Reward Probability Index (RPI), and loss aversion (LA) and delay discounting (DD) using a gamble-acceptance task and monetary choice questionnaire, respectively. Associations of RPI, LA, and DD with cigarette smoking, alcohol use, other drug use, and combinations of co-use were examined with logistic regression controlling for sociodemographic variables (educational attainment, gender, age). Low RPI (odds ratio[OR] = 0.97, p = .006), low LA (OR = 1.22, p < .001), and high DD (OR = 1.12, p = .03), were each independently associated with increased risk for cigarette smoking, as well as other substance use, and use combinations. We saw no evidence that RPI was significantly influencing associations between LA and DD with smoking status or other substance use. Finally, RPI, but not LA or DD, was significantly associated with depressed mood and sleep disturbance. These results provide new evidence on associations of RPI with smoking status and other substance use while further documenting independent associations between LA and DD and those outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Thrailkill
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
| | - Michael DeSarno
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Department of Biomedical Statistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Stephen T Higgins
- Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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Olin CC, McDevitt-Murphy ME, Murphy JG, Zakarian RJ, Roache JD, Young-McCaughan S, Litz BT, Keane TM, Peterson AL. The associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and delay discounting, future orientation, and reward availability: A behavioral economic model. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:1252-1262. [PMID: 35437823 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The theoretical framework of behavioral economics, a metatheory that integrates operant learning and economic theory, has only recently been applied to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A behavioral economic theory of PTSD reflects an expansion of prior behavioral conceptualization of PTSD, which described PTSD in terms of respondent and operant conditioning. In the behavioral economic framework of PTSD, negatively reinforced avoidance behavior is overvalued, in part due to deficits in environmental reward, and may be conceptualized as a form of reinforcer pathology (i.e., excessive preference for and valuation of an immediate reinforcer). We investigated cross-sectional relationships between PTSD severity and several constructs rooted in this behavioral economic framework, including future orientation, reward availability, and delay discounting in a sample of 110 military personnel/veterans (87.2% male) who had served combat deployments following September 11, 2001. Total PTSD severity was inversely related to environmental reward availability, β = -.49, ΔR2 = 0.24, p < .001; hedonic reward availability, β = -.32, ΔR2 = 0.10, p = .001; and future orientation, β = -.20, ΔR2 = 0.04, p = .032, but not delay discounting, r = -.05, p = .633. An examination of individual symptom clusters did not suggest that avoidance symptoms were uniquely associated with these behavioral economic constructs. The findings offer support for a behavioral economic model of PTSD in which there is a lack of positive reinforcement as well as a myopic focus on the present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia C Olin
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - James G Murphy
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rebecca J Zakarian
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - John D Roache
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Stacey Young-McCaughan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brett T Litz
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiological Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence M Keane
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan L Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Luciano MT, Acuff SF, Olin CC, Lewin RK, Strickland JC, McDevitt-Murphy ME, Murphy JG. Posttraumatic stress disorder, drinking to cope, and harmful alcohol use: A multivariate meta-analysis of the self-medication hypothesis. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND CLINICAL SCIENCE 2022; 131:447-456. [PMID: 35587413 PMCID: PMC9233097 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and harmful alcohol use has often been explained through the self-medication hypothesis via coping-related drinking motives. However, the magnitude of the indirect effect of PTSD on harmful alcohol use through coping motives is unclear. This study aggregated this indirect effect using a meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach and explored moderators that influenced the indirect effect. We identified articles from PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, and PROQUEST (through June 22, 2021) containing measures of (a) PTSD symptoms, (b) coping-related drinking, and (c) harmful alcohol use. Thirty-four studies yielding 69 effect sizes were included (mean N = 387.26 participants; median N = 303.5; range = 42-1,896; aggregate sample n = 15,128). Coping motives mediated the relation between PTSD and harmful alcohol use, accounting for 80% of the variance in the total effect. Moderating variables and evidence of publication bias were also found. Findings suggest that coping-related drinking is a strong mediator in the relation between PTSD and harmful alcohol use and that the strength of the indirect effect is meaningfully influenced by measurement approach, sample characteristics, and study design. Additional longitudinal and multivariate studies are needed to establish directionality and account for additional variance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Vedelago L, Wardell J, Kempe T, Patel H, Amlung M, MacKillop J, Keough M. Getting high to cope with COVID-19: Modelling the associations between cannabis demand, coping motives, and cannabis use and problems. Addict Behav 2022; 124:107092. [PMID: 34469783 PMCID: PMC8555961 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people may use substances like cannabis for enhancement or coping purposes. Behavioral economic demand for a substance is a key determinant of its use and misuse and can be measured via hypothetical purchase tasks. Previous research suggests that motivations to use a substance play a mediational role between elevated substance demand and problems, but comparable mechanistic research has yet to be done in the COVID-19 context and on the effects of cannabis demand on cannabis use patterns. Participants (n = 137) were recruited via the online crowdsourcing platform Prolific. Participants completed measures of cannabis use and problems, motivations for cannabis use, and the Marijuana Purchase Task. Two indices of demand, Persistence (i.e., sensitivity to increasing cost of cannabis) and Amplitude (i.e., consumption of cannabis at unrestricted cost), were related to increased cannabis problems via the use motive of coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. This model did not support the mediational role of enhancement motives. Those with increased cannabis demand who tend to use cannabis to cope are at increased risk of experiencing negative cannabis-related consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Acuff SF, Tucker JA, Murphy JG. Behavioral economics of substance use: Understanding and reducing harmful use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 29:739-749. [PMID: 33166163 PMCID: PMC8163023 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral economic research demonstrates that alcohol and drug consumption is (a) an inverse function of constraints on access to the substance and (b) a direct function of constraints on access to alternative rewards. Physical distancing interventions and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in unprecedented reductions in many of the constraints on substance use and in critical evolutionarily salient sources of alternative reward, such as social interaction, physical activity, leisure activities and hobbies, and academic and occupational pursuits. Thus, behavioral economics suggests that the pandemic and necessary public health response have created a "perfect storm" for exacerbation of individual-level and population-level substance use problems and also points to multilevel intervention strategies. We summarize this perspective and research by highlighting 3 critical behavioral processes that will influence drug and alcohol consumption. First, the sudden absence of many effective constraints on substance use (work, school, community, or service obligations) will reduce the actual and perceived cost of use. Second, physical distancing measures will reduce the availability, and increase the cost, of many rewarding substance-free activities and commodities. Third, increased uncertainty around current and future events increases discounting of delayed rewards. These effects will be especially pernicious among populations with existing health disparities. Next, we outline interventions suggested by behavioral economics to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on substance use that are aimed at increasing perceived costs of use; increasing access to substance-free activities, including treatment; and lengthening the timeframe for behavioral allocation and altering environmental contexts to promote healthy choices. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Martínez-Loredo V, González-Roz A, Secades-Villa R, Fernández-Hermida JR, MacKillop J. Concurrent validity of the Alcohol Purchase Task for measuring the reinforcing efficacy of alcohol: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction 2021; 116:2635-2650. [PMID: 33338263 PMCID: PMC9186155 DOI: 10.1111/add.15379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS An early meta-analysis testing the concurrent validity of the Alcohol Purchase Task (APT), a measure of alcohol's relative reinforcing value, reported mixed associations, but predated a large number of studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to: (1) estimate the relationships between trait-based alcohol demand indices from the APT and multiple alcohol indicators, (2) test several moderators and (3) analyze small study effects. METHODS A meta-analysis of 50 cross-sectional studies in four databases (n = 18 466, females = 43.32%). Sex, year of publication, number of APT prices and index transformations (logarithmic, square root or none) were considered as moderators. Small study effects were examined by using the Begg-Mazumdar, Egger's and Duval & Tweedie's trim-and-fill tests. Alcohol indicators were quantity of alcohol use, number of heavy drinking episodes, alcohol-related problems and hazardous drinking. APT indices were intensity (i.e. consumption at zero cost), elasticity (i.e. sensitivity to increases in costs), Omax (i.e. maximum expenditure), Pmax (i.e. price associated to Omax ) and breakpoint (i.e. price at which consumption ceases). RESULTS All alcohol demand indices were significantly associated with all alcohol-related outcomes (r = 0.132-0.494), except Pmax , which was significantly associated with alcohol-related problems only (r = 0.064). The greatest associations were evinced between intensity in relation to alcohol use, hazardous drinking and heavy drinking and between Omax and alcohol use. All the tested moderators emerged as significant moderators. Evidence of small-study effects was limited. CONCLUSIONS The Alcohol Purchase Task appears to have concurrent validity in alcohol research. Intensity and Omax are the most relevant indices to account for alcohol involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Martínez-Loredo
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain,Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alba González-Roz
- Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Research Institute on Health Sciences, Palma de Mallorca, Spain,Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | | | - James MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton/McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Acuff SF, Soltis KE, Murphy JG. Using Demand Curves to Quantify the Reinforcing Value of Social and Solitary Drinking. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1497-1507. [PMID: 32472649 PMCID: PMC7572865 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young adults typically drink in social settings and report high levels of episodic heavy drinking despite a range of adverse consequences. Behavioral economics posits that this may reflect a reinforcer pathology in which alcohol is overvalued relative to other reinforcers. Theoretically, the value of alcohol is related to both the direct pharmacological effects of alcohol (euphoria, sedation) and the associated social reinforcement, but to date no studies have differentiated the value of social vs. solitary drinking. The current study examines two modified hypothetical alcohol purchase tasks (APTs), one explicitly social and one explicitly solitary, in order to quantify the reward value of social vs. solitary drinking and to determine whether there are unique clinical correlates of solitary alcohol demand. METHODS Participants were young adults (N = 274, Mage = 25.15, SD = 4.10) recruited from Mturk and from a university subject pool. Participants completed a solitary and social APT, in addition to measures of alcohol consumption and problems. RESULTS Participants reported significantly greater demand in the social APT compared to the solitary APT across all demand indices. Elevated solitary and social demand were associated with elevated levels of alcohol use and problems. Using a residualized change approach, solitary demand amplitude (maximum consumption and expenditure) and persistence (price sensitivity) contributed additional variance above and beyond their social APT composite counterparts in predicting typical drinks per week and the self-care, academic/occupational, and physical dependence subscales of the YAACQ. CONCLUSIONS The presence of peers increases alcohol demand compared to a solitary scenario, and greater relative solitary drinking demand may be a risk factor for greater alcohol consumption and problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel F. Acuff
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Dr., Memphis, TN, 38152 United States
| | - Kathryn E. Soltis
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Dr., Memphis, TN, 38152 United States
| | - James G. Murphy
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Dr., Memphis, TN, 38152 United States
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