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Wu Q, Qi T, Wei J, Shaw A. Relationship between psychological detachment from work and depressive symptoms: indirect role of emotional exhaustion and moderating role of self-compassion. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:344. [PMID: 37853423 PMCID: PMC10585803 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01384-z] [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: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of psychological detachment during nonwork time has been emphasized, and its effect on depressive symptoms has been identified. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains to be elucidated. This study was conducted to identify the indirect role of emotional exhaustion in the association between psychological detachment and depressive symptoms and the moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between emotional exhaustion and depressive symptoms on the basis of the recovery-engagement-exhaustion model and emotion regulation theory. Through an online survey, relevant data were collected from 727 university teachers (mean age, 37.65 ± 7.77 years; 38.5% men). Indirect and moderation effect were analyzed through structural equation modeling (Mplus). Psychological detachment was found to be associated with depressive symptoms through emotional exhaustion. Self-compassion moderated the association between emotional exhaustion and depressive symptoms. The association between emotional exhaustion and depressive symptoms was weaker among university teachers with high levels of self-compassion than among those with low levels of self-compassion. This study improves our understanding of the association between psychological detachment and depressive symptoms by identifying the emotional pathway and protective function of self-compassion. Interventions for improving mental health in work context should be designed considering psychological detachment and self-compassion to deal with work-induced emotional strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglu Wu
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China.
| | - Tengfei Qi
- Department of Sociology, School of Government, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Wei
- Institute of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Amy Shaw
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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2
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Sattler S, Dubljević V, Racine E. Cooperative behavior in the workplace: Empirical evidence from the agent-deed-consequences model of moral judgment. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1064442. [PMID: 36698601 PMCID: PMC9869171 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1064442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Moral judgment is of critical importance in the work context because of its implicit or explicit omnipresence in a wide range of work-place practices. The moral aspects of actual behaviors, intentions, and consequences represent areas of deep preoccupation, as exemplified in current corporate social responsibility programs, yet there remain ongoing debates on the best understanding of how such aspects of morality (behaviors, intentions, and consequences) interact. The ADC Model of moral judgment integrates the theoretical insights of three major moral theories (virtue ethics, deontology, and consequentialism) into a single model, which explains how moral judgment occurs in parallel evaluation processes of three different components: the character of a person (Agent-component); their actions (Deed-component); and the consequences brought about in the situation (Consequences-component). The model offers the possibility of overcoming difficulties encountered by single or dual-component theories. Methods We designed a 2 × 2 × 2-between-subjects design vignette experiment with a Germany-wide sample of employed respondents (N = 1,349) to test this model. Results Results showed that the Deed-component affects willingness to cooperate in the work context, which is mediated via moral judgments. These effects also varied depending on the levels of the Agent- and Consequences-component. Discussion Thereby, the results exemplify the usefulness of the ADC Model in the work context by showing how the distinct components of morality affect moral judgment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sattler
- Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Veljko Dubljević
- Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Eric Racine
- Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Biomedical Ethics Unit, and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Wu Q, Cao H, Du H. Work Stress, Work-Related Rumination, and Depressive Symptoms in University Teachers: Buffering Effect of Self-Compassion. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:1557-1569. [PMID: 37151906 PMCID: PMC10162390 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s403744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The association between work stress and depressive symptoms has been well documented. More research is still needed to further investigate the underlying explanatory process mechanism and the potential protective function of personal resource in attenuating the negative effect of work stress on mental health. To address this gap and informed by the stress process model and emotion regulation theory,the present study examined the indirect role of work-related rumination and the buffering effect of self-compassion in university teachers, a population with increased vulnerabilities for both work stress and mental health issues. Methods This study collected data from 727 university teachers (M age = 37.65 ± 7.77 years, 61.5% women) through an online survey. Indirect effect analysis and moderation effect analysis were implemented using structural equation modeling via Mplus. Results Work stress was directly and indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through work-related rumination, and self-compassion moderated the associations between (a) work stress and depressive symptoms and (b) work-related rumination and depressive symptoms. The direct and indirect effects of work stress on depressive symptoms were weaker in university teachers with high levels of self-compassion than in those with low levels of self-compassion. Conclusion Work stress was associated with depressive symptoms through a cognitive pathway. The findings deepen our understanding of the link between work stress and mental health outcomes by revealing the indirect role of cognitive processes, the protective function of emotion regulation strategies, and their interplay. Reducing work-related rumination and strengthening self-compassion may constitute effective interventions to alleviate the negative effects of work stress on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglu Wu
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Qinglu Wu, Email
| | - Hongjian Cao
- Applied Psychology Program, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Hongfei Du
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
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Lindebaum D, Langer S. On the psycho-emotional deficitisation of workers in the age of cognitive enhancement. ORGANIZATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/13505084221145617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite being the subject of public and scholarly debates for some time, the topic of cognitive enhancement remains theoretically under-developed in organisation studies. This is because the ‘dots’ still have to be ‘connected’ between macro-level phenomena (here, the therapeutic ethos and cognitive capitalism), and micro-level phenomena (in this case, cognitive abilities). In this essay, we use Fromm’s notion of social character to theorise dialectally about the interaction between these macro and micro-level phenomena. Doing so enables us to examine how the macro/micro interaction fosters to adoption of cognitive enhancement in the context of work, and what kinds of consequences might emerge from this. We propose the psycho-emotional deficitisation of workers as a central consequence of the aforementioned interaction, and define it as an internalised version of external ideals of what it means to be a productive worker under cognitive capitalism, which over time generates and reinforces the affective experience of being deficient. Our theorising around socially patterned defects of a cognitive kind has crucial ramification for our understanding of technology-mediated affective control at work and how human–technology interactions shape the subjectivities of workers towards greater self-inferiorisation vis-à-vis the perceived superiority of technology. We close by foreshadowing avenues for future research.
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Korban Z, Taraszkiewicz-Łyda M. The Impact of Time Pressure on the Results of Psychotechnical Tests Based on the Findings of Pilot Studies Conducted on a Group of Students of the Silesian University of Technology-A Case Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14724. [PMID: 36429440 PMCID: PMC9689983 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The performance of job tasks is increasingly being viewed through the prism of time constraints. Stress, as a consequence of these constraints, can play a dual role: motivating or destructive. This paper addresses the role of time pressure during the implementation of psychotechnical tests. Based on the example of a pilot group, which consisted of students of the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology, the authors presented the results of the study of the impact of time regime on the assessment of visuomotor coordination, psychomotor reaction time, the ability to focus attention, perceptual speed and accuracy, attention divisibility, and set-shifting. With the use of a survey conducted among the subjects and multivariate analysis (the Analytic Hierarchy Process method), an assessment was made in terms of difficulty levels during the implementation of exercises, including four evaluation criteria: complexity, repetition and timing of emitted signals, and the required accuracy of response to the signals in question. In the process of verifying the consistency of the evaluations carried out, the consistency ratio (CR) was adopted.
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Public attitudes towards neurotechnology: Findings from two experiments concerning Brain Stimulation Devices (BSDs) and Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275454. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This study contributes to the emerging literature on public perceptions of neurotechnological devices (NTDs) in their medical and non-medical applications, depending on their invasiveness, framing effects, and interindividual differences related to personal needs and values. We conducted two web-based between-subject experiments (2×2×2) using a representative, nation-wide sample of the adult population in Germany. Using vignettes describing how two NTDs, brain stimulation devices (BSDs; NExperiment 1 = 1,090) and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs; NExperiment 2 = 1,089), function, we randomly varied the purpose (treatment vs. enhancement) and invasiveness (noninvasive vs. invasive) of the NTD, and assessed framing effects (variable order of assessing moral acceptability first vs. willingness to use first). We found a moderate moral acceptance and willingness to use BSDs and BCIs. Respondents preferred treatment over enhancement purposes and noninvasive over invasive devices. We also found a framing effect and explored the role of personal characteristics as indicators of personal needs and values (e.g., stress, religiosity, and gender). Our results suggest that the future demand for BSDs or BCIs may depend on the purpose, invasiveness, and personal needs and values. These insights can inform technology developers about the public’s needs and concerns, and enrich legal and ethical debates.
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Donato GD, Pereira SLM, Pereira Júnior ADC, Pillon SC, Vedana KGG, Miasso AI. Predictors of common mental disorders and psychiatric medication use among faculty members. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:1810-1818. [PMID: 34878669 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Identify the predictors of common mental disorders (CMD) and psychiatric medication use by faculty members in different teaching units of a public university. DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional study on 253 faculty. FINDINGS Being single, not having children, and not practicing physical activity were identified as predictors of CMD. Relative to psychiatric medication use, the predictors were the following: being homosexual, teaching classes in the biological sciences field, using medication for the urinary tract and sexual hormones, presenting mental disorder/sleep disorder diagnoses, and being positive for CMD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The findings of this study may subsidize more effective interventions aimed toward protecting the health and preventing aggravation in these professionals, as well as measures for promoting changes in the university work context. DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional study on 253 faculty. FINDINGS Being single, not having children, and not practicing physical activity were identified as predictors of CMD. Relative to psychiatric medication use, the predictors were the following: being homosexual, teaching classes in the biological sciences field, using medication for the urinary tract and sexual hormones, presenting mental disorder/sleep disorder diagnoses, and being positive for CMD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The findings of this study may subsidize more effective interventions aimed toward protecting the health and preventing aggravation in these professionals, as well as measures for promoting changes in the university work context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela D Donato
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - University of São Paulo - EERP-USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samara L M Pereira
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - University of São Paulo - EERP-USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sandra C Pillon
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - University of São Paulo - EERP-USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kelly G G Vedana
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - University of São Paulo - EERP-USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana I Miasso
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - University of São Paulo - EERP-USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Zhang J, Yin H, Zhang J, Yang G, Qin J, He L. Real-time mental stress detection using multimodality expressions with a deep learning framework. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:947168. [PMID: 35992909 PMCID: PMC9389269 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.947168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental stress is becoming increasingly widespread and gradually severe in modern society, threatening people’s physical and mental health. To avoid the adverse effects of stress on people, it is imperative to detect stress in time. Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of using objective indicators to detect stress. Over the past few years, a growing number of researchers have been trying to use deep learning technology to detect stress. However, these works usually use single-modality for stress detection and rarely combine stress-related information from multimodality. In this paper, a real-time deep learning framework is proposed to fuse ECG, voice, and facial expressions for acute stress detection. The framework extracts the stress-related information of the corresponding input through ResNet50 and I3D with the temporal attention module (TAM), where TAM can highlight the distinguishing temporal representation for facial expressions about stress. The matrix eigenvector-based approach is then used to fuse the multimodality information about stress. To validate the effectiveness of the framework, a well-established psychological experiment, the Montreal imaging stress task (MIST), was applied in this work. We collected multimodality data from 20 participants during MIST. The results demonstrate that the framework can combine stress-related information from multimodality to achieve 85.1% accuracy in distinguishing acute stress. It can serve as a tool for computer-aided stress detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hang Yin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Yang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Qin
- Centre for Smart Health, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ling He
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ling He,
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Effort–Reward Imbalance at Work and Prescription Drug Misuse—Prospective Evidence from Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137632. [PMID: 35805300 PMCID: PMC9265319 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
This study examines how work stress affects the misuse of prescription drugs to augment mental performance without medical necessity (i.e., cognitive enhancement). Based on the effort–reward imbalance model, it can be assumed that a misalignment of effort exerted and rewards received increases prescription drug misuse, especially if employees overcommit. To test these assumptions, we conducted a prospective study using a nationwide web-based sample of the working population in Germany (N = 11,197). Effort, reward, and overcommitment were measured at t1 and the 12 month frequency of prescription drug misuse for enhancing cognitive performance was measured at a one-year follow-up (t2). The results show that 2.6% of the respondents engaged in such drug misuse, of which 22.7% reported frequent misuse. While we found no overall association between misuse frequency and effort, reward, or their imbalance, overcommitment was significantly associated with a higher misuse frequency. Moreover, at low levels of overcommitment, more effort and an effort–reward imbalance discouraged future prescription drug misuse, while higher overcommitment, more effort, and an imbalance increased it. These findings suggest that a stressful work environment is a risk factor for health-endangering behavior, and thereby underlines the importance of identifying groups at risk of misusing drugs.
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Sattler S, Jacobs E, Singh I, Whetham D, Bárd I, Moreno J, Galeazzi G, Allansdottir A. Neuroenhancements in the Military: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study on Attitudes of Staff Officers to Ethics and Rules. NEUROETHICS-NETH 2022; 15:11. [PMID: 35251363 PMCID: PMC8885476 DOI: 10.1007/s12152-022-09490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Utilising science and technology to maximize human performance is often an essential feature of military activity. This can often be focused on mission success rather than just the welfare of the individuals involved. This tension has the potential to threaten the autonomy of soldiers and military physicians around the taking or administering of enhancement neurotechnologies (e.g., pills, neural implants, and neuroprostheses). The Hybrid Framework was proposed by academic researchers working in the U.S. context and comprises “rules” for military neuroenhancement (e.g., ensuring transparency and maintaining dignity of the warfighter). Integrating traditional bioethical perspectives with the unique requirements of the military environment, it has been referenced by military/government agencies tasked with writing official ethical frameworks. Our two-part investigation explored the ethical dimensions of military neuroenhancements with military officers – those most likely to be making decisions in this area in the future. In three workshops, structured around the Hybrid Framework, we explored what they thought about the ethical issues of enhancement neurotechnologies. From these findings, we conducted a survey (N = 332) to probe the extent of rule endorsement. Results show high levels of endorsement for a warfighter’s decision-making autonomy, but lower support for the view that enhanced warfighters would pose a danger to society after service. By examining the endorsement of concrete decision-making guidelines, we provide an overview of how military officers might, in practice, resolve tensions between competing values or higher-level principles. Our results suggest that the military context demands a recontextualisation of the relationship between military and civilian ethics.
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Feigning Symptoms to Obtain Prescription Stimulants: A Vignette-Based Study on Its Conditions. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/00220426211055433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This vignette-based study examined the willingness to feign symptoms to obtain a prescription following an analysis on who might use prescription stimulants to enhance performance ( N = 3,468). It experimentally manipulated three factors: the social disapproval of prescription stimulant use for enhancement purposes, the physicians’ diagnostic efforts, and the medical condition (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy); respondent characteristics of self-control, personal morality, and self-efficacy were also measured. Our results showed that social disapproval of prescription drug use, a personal morality that disapproves of drug use, high self-control, and high self-efficacy were negatively associated with the willingness to use. Willingness increased especially in situations of social approval when there was a stronger personal approval of drug use, or surprisingly when physicians’ diagnostic efforts were higher. The feigning willingness was lower in situations of social disapproval and when personal morality disapproved of feigning. Thus, personal and situational characteristics are relevant to understand both behaviors.
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Zhang Y, Zhang L, Wu Y. Is happiness based on psychological harmony? Exploring the mediating role of psychological harmony in the relationship between personality characteristics and occupational well-being. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2021.1978175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhu Zhang
- President’s Office, Hohhot Vocational College, Hohhot, China
- School of Psychology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, China
| | - Leigang Zhang
- School of Psychology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yunlong Wu
- School of Psychology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, China
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Towards an understanding of how stress and resources affect the nonmedical use of prescription drugs for performance enhancement among employees. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01873-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBased on assumptions of the Job Demands-Resources model, we investigated employees’ willingness to use prescription drugs such as methylphenidate and modafinil for nonmedical purposes to enhance their cognitive functioning as a response to strain (i.e., perceived stress) that is induced by job demands (e.g., overtime, emotional demands, shift work, leadership responsibility). We also examined the direct and moderating effects of resources (e.g., emotional stability, social and instrumental social support) in this process. We utilized data from a representative survey of employees in Germany (N = 6454) encompassing various job demands and resources, levels of perceived stress, and willingness to use nonmedical drugs for performance enhancement purposes. By using Structural Equation Models, we found that job demands (such as overtime and emotional demands) and a scarcity of resources (such as emotional stability) increased strain, consequently directly and indirectly increasing the willingness to use prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement. Moreover, emotional stability reduced the effect of certain demands on strain. These results delivered new insights into mechanisms behind nonmedical prescription drug use that can be used to prevent such behaviour and potential negative health consequences.
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Piergentili R, Del Rio A, Signore F, Umani Ronchi F, Marinelli E, Zaami S. CRISPR-Cas and Its Wide-Ranging Applications: From Human Genome Editing to Environmental Implications, Technical Limitations, Hazards and Bioethical Issues. Cells 2021; 10:cells10050969. [PMID: 33919194 PMCID: PMC8143109 DOI: 10.3390/cells10050969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system is a powerful tool for in vivo editing the genome of most organisms, including man. During the years this technique has been applied in several fields, such as agriculture for crop upgrade and breeding including the creation of allergy-free foods, for eradicating pests, for the improvement of animal breeds, in the industry of bio-fuels and it can even be used as a basis for a cell-based recording apparatus. Possible applications in human health include the making of new medicines through the creation of genetically modified organisms, the treatment of viral infections, the control of pathogens, applications in clinical diagnostics and the cure of human genetic diseases, either caused by somatic (e.g., cancer) or inherited (mendelian disorders) mutations. One of the most divisive, possible uses of this system is the modification of human embryos, for the purpose of preventing or curing a human being before birth. However, the technology in this field is evolving faster than regulations and several concerns are raised by its enormous yet controversial potential. In this scenario, appropriate laws need to be issued and ethical guidelines must be developed, in order to properly assess advantages as well as risks of this approach. In this review, we summarize the potential of these genome editing techniques and their applications in human embryo treatment. We will analyze CRISPR-Cas limitations and the possible genome damage caused in the treated embryo. Finally, we will discuss how all this impacts the law, ethics and common sense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Piergentili
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council (CNR-IBPM), 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Del Rio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.U.R.); (E.M.); (S.Z.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Fabrizio Signore
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, USL Roma2, Sant’Eugenio Hospital, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federica Umani Ronchi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.U.R.); (E.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Enrico Marinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.U.R.); (E.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Simona Zaami
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.U.R.); (E.M.); (S.Z.)
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Münch N, Mahdiani H, Lieb K, Paul NW. Resilience beyond reductionism: ethical and social dimensions of an emerging concept in the neurosciences. MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2021; 24:55-63. [PMID: 33044602 PMCID: PMC7910361 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-020-09981-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Since a number of years, popular and scientific interest in resilience is rapidly increasing. More recently, also neuroscientific research in resilience and the associated neurobiological findings is gaining more attention. Some of these neuroscientific findings might open up new measures to foster personal resilience, ranging from magnetic stimulation to pharmaceutical interventions and awareness-based techniques. Therefore, bioethics should also take a closer look at resilience and resilience research, which are today philosophically under-theorized. In this paper, we analyze different conceptualizations of resilience and argue that especially one-sided understandings of resilience which dismiss social and cultural contexts of personal resilience do pose social and ethical problems. On a social level such unbalanced views on resilience could hide and thereby stabilize structural social injustices, and on an individual level it might even lead to an aggravation of stress-related mental health problems by overexerting the individual. Furthermore, some forms of fostering resilience could be a latent form of human enhancement and trigger similar criticisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Münch
- Institute for History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine, University Medical Center, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Hamideh Mahdiani
- Institute for History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine, University Medical Center, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert W Paul
- Institute for History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine, University Medical Center, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany
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Sattler S, Mehlkop G, Bahr V, Betsch C. Why Parents Misuse Prescription Drugs to Enhance the Cognitive Performance of Healthy Children: The Influence of Peers and Social Media. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/0022042621994547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms affecting parents’ misuse of prescription stimulant drugs to boost healthy children’s school performance are hardly unknown. Using four web-based factorial vignette surveys (2×2 between-subjects design experiment), we investigated the willingness of U.S. parents with school-aged children to medicate a fictitious 13-year-old child whose grades had declined. We examined mechanisms of informational and normative social influence on their decision-making: others’ behavior ( NExperiment 1 = 359), others’ definitions ( NExperiment 2 = 326), social control ( NExperiment 3 = 325), and others’ experience ( NExperiment 4 = 313). In addition, we explored the moderating role of influential sources (close friends vs. social media). Parents were more willing to engage in said behavior when others reported engagement in this behavior or positive drug experiences, especially if both influences were transmitted via social media. Others’ definitions and social control had no effect. Thus, social media might be a channel for the prevention of pharmacological cognitive enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sattler
- University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
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Ilić Petković A, Nikolić V. Educational needs of employees in work-related stress management. Work 2020; 65:661-669. [PMID: 32116284 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamic and intense socio-economic, scientific and technological development has both positive and negative effects on the business world. Due to increasing problems of work-related stress, the issue of stress management has arisen. Primary stress management and proactive interventions in work-related stress prevention are specifically activated. In this regard, the issue of educational needs of employees for the prevention of work-related stress is of particular importance. OBJECTIVE The basic concern that has drawn our attention is whether employees generally show the desire and need to adopt the knowledge in the field of work-related stress prevention and relief and whether they are supported by the management of their business organization. METHODS We used several methods to conduct this research: survey, scaling and comparative method. The comparative method was used for the analysis of legal documents in the field of occupational safety and health in six Balkan countries with the aim of determining the legal obligations of employers in managing workplace stress. The research population consisted of employees in small and medium-sized enterprises in the city of Kraljevo (the Republic of Serbia), while the research sample was determined by a random sampling method and included 450 respondents. RESULTS Despite the recommendations of international organizations, the employers in most countries are not legally bound to deal with work-related stress management. The results have shown that there is a correlation between work-related risks/stressors and educational needs of employees for learning or acquiring knowledge in the field of work-related stress prevention. Employees express the desire to become acquainted with the possibilities of overcoming work-related stress. CONCLUSION Employees' education and training have an invaluable role and considerable importance in primary, work-related stress management. The knowledge about the causes and mechanisms of work-related stress development is an important step towards its prevention. The research has shown that employees express the need for acquiring knowledge to prevent stress at work. In this regard, it is necessary to provide legally binding support of the manager in order to undertake the activities of work-related stress management. Interventions should target work-related stress at its source with a focus on prevention rather than an individual approach whose long-term benefits are uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vesna Nikolić
- Faculty of Occupational Safety in Niš, University of Niš, Niš, Republic of Serbia
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Mache S, Bernburg M, Groneberg D, Harth V. Neuro-enhancement among German junior physicians: Prevalence, reasons and associations to mental health outcomes and quality of life. Work 2020; 67:285-293. [PMID: 33044210 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research studies have demonstrated that neuro-enhancement, the use of legal or illegal drugs by healthy individuals to improve their job performance, is practiced among employees. Researchers discussed possible reasons for employees to consider the use of substances for neuro-enhancement. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of usage and motives for practicing neuro-enhancement among a sample of German junior physicians. The secondary objective was to determine associations between neuro-enhancement, mental health outcomes and quality of life. METHODS This cross-sectional study included an online survey to analyze junior physicians' neuro-enhancement stimulant use and their motives for usage (n = 873). Second, mental health outcomes and quality of life were assessed. Descriptive and analytic (Kruskal Wallis test, logistic regression) statistics were obtained. RESULTS Of the 873 junior physicians, 18% reported having used stimulants for neuro- enhancement. 8% of the physicians have taken prescription stimulants (e.g. modafinil) or illicit drugs (e.g. cannabis) at least once in their lifetime. The most common reasons for taking stimulants were to enhance concentration, to relax and to increase alertness. Neuro-enhancement was associated with emotional exhaustion (p < 0.01), lower quality of life (p < 0.05) and work-related stress (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our study results give an overview on the actual situation regarding frequency and motives for taking performance-enhancing substances. The prevalence rate was low in comparison to current public debates. Decreasing the prevalence of neuro-enhancement among physicians requires the implementation of strategies targeting stress reduction and workload management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Mache
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Seewartenstrasse, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Monika Bernburg
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Volker Harth
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Seewartenstrasse, Hamburg, Germany
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Dinh CT, Humphries S, Chatterjee A. Public Opinion on Cognitive Enhancement Varies across Different Situations. AJOB Neurosci 2020; 11:224-237. [PMID: 33196348 DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2020.1811797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
People vary widely in their acceptance of the use of pharmacological cognitive enhancement (CE). We tested the hypothesis that the acceptability of CE is malleable, by varying the context in which CE use takes place, by framing the use of CE with positive and negative metaphors, and by distinguishing between self and other CE use. 2,519 US-based participants completed 2 surveys using Amazon's Mechanical Turk. First, participants responded to vignettes describing a fictional character, which varied by framing metaphor (Pandora's box that releases brain performance vs. key that unlocks brain potential), role/setting (student/educational vs. employee/professional), and activity type (blue vs. white collar). Second, participants viewed personalized vignettes describing their own situations. Across both surveys, participants generally found CE use more acceptable for employees than students, while the effects of framing metaphors were unreliable and smaller than previously reported. People were more accepting of CE use by others than by themselves. Participants also found CE use more acceptable if more peers used CE, the environment was less competitive, and authority figures encouraged CE use. Our findings suggest that opinions about CE are indeed malleable, and concerns that peer pressure, the influence of authority figures, and competition might affect CE use are not unfounded.
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[Circulation of information on drugs and other substances to increase cognitive performance: a study of a Brazilian blog (2015-2017)]. Salud Colect 2020; 16:e2514. [PMID: 32574462 DOI: 10.18294/sc.2020.2514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
By observing the processes of (bio)medicalization and pharmacologization of society, this article addresses drugs that have been used by healthy individuals to increase cognitive dimensions such as alertness, memory, and concentration. The use of so-called "smart drugs" or "nootropics" has spread among young people, aided by the internet. The circulation of information about such drugs are analyzed using a Brazilian blog called "Cérebro Turbinado," through publications available for public access between 2015 and 2017. The study adopts theoretical and methodological frameworks of the social sciences, including an anthropological perspective. Documental research was conducted on the internet, specifically with scientific dissemination materials and the material available from the aforementioned blog. The results show that the blog acts as a medium for spreading biomedical knowledge among the lay public and indicates the production of new forms of subjectivity by revealing the meanings attributed to these substances in socialization processes.
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Schäfer M. Pharmakologisches Neuroenhancement in Deutschland. SUCHTTHERAPIE 2019. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1059-3751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Angaben zur Verbreitung des pharmakologischen
Neuroenhancements (pNE) in Deutschland variieren stark. Der Beitrag diskutiert,
inwieweit dieser Umstand methodischen Aspekten der Prävalenzstudien
geschuldet sein könnte.
Methode Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zum aktuellen
Forschungsstand und beleuchtet methodische Probleme der
Prävalenzforschung in Deutschland.
Ergebnisse Die Prävalenzangaben variieren je nach
Erhebungsmethode, abgefragtem Zeitpunkt der Einnahme und untersuchten
Zielgruppen und Stoffen bei verschreibungspflichtigen und illegalen Substanzen
zwischen einem und 39%. Für frei erhältliche Mittel
werden z. T. höhere Prävalenzen berichtet. Es lassen
sich 4 große methodische Probleme der Forschung identifizieren: 1.) Die
Heterogenität der Definitionen, 2.) die Heterogenität der
Befragungsmethoden und die Qualität der Stichproben(ziehungen), 3.)
Defizite bei der Frageformulierung, 4.) das Fehlen wichtiger Angaben in den
zugehörigen Veröffentlichungen.
Schlussfolgerung Verlässliche Aussagen zur Verbreitung von pNE in
Deutschland sind schwierig. Zwischen den Untersuchungen bestehen inhaltlich und
methodisch große Unterschiede, die Ergebnisse lassen sich nur bedingt
vergleichen. Notwendig sind regelmäßige
bevölkerungsrepräsentative Erhebungen auf Basis einheitlicher
Definitionen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schäfer
- Institut für Publizistik, Johannes
Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
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Sattler S. Nonmedical use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement as response to chronic stress especially when social support is lacking. Stress Health 2019; 35:127-137. [PMID: 30378254 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The nonmedical use of prescription drugs to improve cognitive performance has gained attention due to concerns over its social and political implications as well as side effects and long-term health consequences. Some researchers expect a future trend of an instrumental use of drugs for cognitive enhancement (CE). Thus, getting insights about causes of CE-drug consumption is warranted before the prevalence increases. Because perceived stress is ubiquitous in universities and may decrease cognitive performance, one reaction to cope with stress and its consequences might be the instrumental use of drugs for CE, especially if other resources, such as social support, are lacking. With a prospective design, randomly selected students from four German universities were invited to a web-based survey and reinterviewed after 6 months (N = 2,203). Results show a 6-month prevalence rate of self-reported CE-drug use of about 2%. Higher reported chronic stress is positively associated with CE-drug use. Although social support has no main effect, stress-buffering effects were found. In men with low stress, more support is associated with a higher chance of self-reported CE-drug use. These findings can inform intervention and prevention strategies such as changes in drug regulation or sensitizing (potential) users to unwanted health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sattler
- Institute for Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Djebrouni M, Wolbring G. Impact of robotics and human enhancement on occupation: what does it mean for rehabilitation? Disabil Rehabil 2019; 42:1518-1528. [PMID: 30672345 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1527401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: People with disabilities face participation challenges in all occupations. Scientific and technological advancements impact the occupational landscape of humans. This scoping review aimed to ascertain the academic engagement with occupation in relation to robotics and human enhancement focusing in particular on how people with disabilities and rehabilitation were mentioned.Method: SCOPUS and the 70 databases of EBSCO host were searched. Manifest and latent content coding and thematic grouping of codes relevant to answering the review questions was performed.Results: Only four articles engaged with occupation in relation to human enhancement. As to occupation and robotics, some occupational fields were visible and not others; occupational health and safety was the most visible one; people with disabilities were covered from a medical, therapeutic angle and not in relation to social issues caused by the occupational impact of robotics. Change in the scope, meaning, and clients of rehabilitation efforts related to occupation enabled by human enhancement and robotics was not covered.Conclusions: The gaps found should be filled. The impact of robotics and human enhancement on the occupational landscape indicates the need for rehabilitation to think beyond recovery to the species typical as a goal. The ultrabilitation concept could help to meet this need.Implications for rehabilitationAdvances in robotics and human enhancement beyond species-typical levels modify the occupational landscape, human ability expectations in this setting, and the meaning and scope of disability and rehabilitation (clinical and community based).There is a need to elucidate the impact of these changes on the meaning, scope and goals of recovery-oriented rehabilitation.The recently coined term "ultrabilitation" creates space to discuss an ability expectation creep triggered by developments in robotics and human enhancement, particularly within occupation focused rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Djebrouni
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Program in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gregor Wolbring
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Program in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Fedotchev A, Radchenko G, Zemlianaia A. On one approach to health protection: Music of the brain. J Integr Neurosci 2018; 17:309-315. [PMID: 29060941 DOI: 10.3233/jin-170053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents the current status of a method for prevention and timely correction of human functional disturbances that was first proposed by Russian neurologist Ya.I. Levin in 1998 and further developed by the authors. The approach is named "Music of the Brain" and is based on musical or music-like stimulation organized in strict accordance with the biopotentials of a patient's brain. Initial studies on the music of the brain approach were analyzed, and its limitations were noted. To enhance the efficiency and usability of the approach, several combinations of music therapy with neurofeedback technique - musical neurofeedback - were developed. Enhanced efficiency of the approach has been shown for correction of functional disturbances during pregnancy and for elimination of stress-induced states in high technology specialists. The use and advantages of musical neurofeedback technology for increasing human cognitive activity, correcting sleep disturbances and treatment of disorders of attention were verified. After further development and testing the approach may be suited for a wide range of therapeutic and rehabilitation procedures in the protection of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Fedotchev
- Laboratory of the Mechanisms of Reception, Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya st., 3, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia. E-mail:
| | - Grigoriy Radchenko
- Department of Psychophysiology, Lobachevsky State University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. E-mail:
| | - Anna Zemlianaia
- Federal Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia. E-mail:
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Airagnes G, Lemogne C, Olekhnovitch R, Roquelaure Y, Hoertel N, Goldberg M, Limosin F, Zins M. Work-Related Stressors and Increased Risk of Benzodiazepine Long-Term Use: Findings From the CONSTANCES Population-Based Cohort. Am J Public Health 2018; 109:119-125. [PMID: 30495993 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2018.304734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To examine whether stressful job exposure to the public could be associated with having long-term benzodiazepine use.Methods. From the participants included between 2012 and 2016 in the French population-based CONSTANCES cohort, 13 934 men and 19 261 women declared a daily job exposure to the public and rated the frequency of stressful exposure. We examined benzodiazepine long-term use by using drug reimbursement administrative registries. Logistic regressions provided odds ratios (ORs) of benzodiazepine long-term use, with stratification for gender and adjustment for age, education, and area deprivation index. Occupational grade, job strain, depression, self-rated health, and alcohol use disorder were additional stratification variables.Results. Benzodiazepine long-term use was positively associated with stressful exposure to the public ("often or always" vs "rarely or never") in men (OR = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8, 2.8) and women (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.4, 1.9), with dose-dependent relationships (P trends < .001). Adjustments and analyses in subgroups without other individual or environmental vulnerability factors led to similar results.Conclusions. Stressful job exposure to the public increases the risk of benzodiazepine long-term use. Prevention programs aiming at reducing the burden of benzodiazepine long-term use would benefit in targeting this specific population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Airagnes
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Cédric Lemogne
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Romain Olekhnovitch
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Yves Roquelaure
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Nicolas Hoertel
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Marcel Goldberg
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Frédéric Limosin
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
| | - Marie Zins
- Guillaume Airagnes is with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm, Villejuif, France. Cédric Lemogne, Nicolas Hoertel, and Frédéric Limosin are with AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université Paris Descartes, U894, Inserm, Paris, France. Romain Olekhnovitch is with UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm. Yves Roquelaure is with UMR1085, Inserm Irest, Université d'Angers, Angers, France. Marcel Goldberg is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, Inserm. Marie Zins is with Université Paris Descartes, UMS011, UMR1168, Inserm
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Bagusat C, Kunzler A, Schlecht J, Franke AG, Chmitorz A, Lieb K. Pharmacological neuroenhancement and the ability to recover from stress - a representative cross-sectional survey among the German population. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2018; 13:37. [PMID: 30348181 PMCID: PMC6198480 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-018-0174-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological neuroenhancement (PNE) refers to the use of psychoactive substances without doctor's prescription to enhance cognitive performance or to improve mood. Although some studies have reported that drugs for PNE are also being used to cope with stressful life situations, nothing is known about the relationship of PNE and resilience, i.e. the ability to recover from stress. This study aimed at investigating the relationship of PNE and resilience in the first representative population sample. METHODS A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample of 1128 adults (age ≥ 18 yrs.) living in Germany was conducted. The use of PNE and related attitudes, perceptions and behaviours were assessed by structured interviews and self-report questionnaires. Stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination was conducted to identify potential risk factors for PNE use. RESULTS Lifetime prevalence for the use of stimulating prescription drugs without medical indication was 4.3%, 10.2% for stimulating illicit drugs, 20.3% for mood modulating prescription drugs, and 23.4% for cannabis. Coping with stressful situations was more frequently reported as underlying motive for using stimulant or mood modulating prescription drugs than stimulating illicit drugs or cannabis. The individual perceived stress increased the risk of using stimulating prescription drugs (OR: 2.86; 95% Cl: 1.49-5.46) and the individual ability to recover from stress decreased the risk of using any substance for PNE and especially mood modulating prescription drugs (OR: .62; 95% Cl: .47-.81). CONCLUSIONS The non-medical use of prescription drugs for PNE appears to be more prevalent in subjects who are less resilient to stress. Tailored resilience interventions that improve the ability to adapt to and recover from stressors may prevent the use of prescription medication for PNE. Further research should disentangle the association between psychological resilience and PNE as well as examine the efficacy of resilience interventions in the prevention of PNE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Bagusat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Angela Kunzler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Resilience Center (DRZ) gGmbH, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schlecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas G. Franke
- University of Applied Labour Studies, Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Seckenheimer Landstr. 16, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andrea Chmitorz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Resilience Center (DRZ) gGmbH, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Resilience Center (DRZ) gGmbH, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Animal models of psychoactive drug use and addiction – Present problems and future needs for translational approaches. Behav Brain Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Why Enhancing Autonomy Is Not a Question of Improving Single Aspects of Reasoning Abilities through Neuroenhancement. NEUROETHICS-NETH 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s12152-016-9299-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Franke AG, Lehmberg S, Soyka M. Pharmacological Neuroenhancement: teachers' knowledge and attitudes-Results from a survey study among teachers in Germany. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2016; 11:32. [PMID: 27646845 PMCID: PMC5029003 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-016-0077-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) is a topic of increasing importance. Its prevalence rates range from 1 % to more than 20 %. Students are a group that shows exceptionally high prevalence rates. However, little is known about teachers’ knowledge, management, attitudes and ethical judgements regarding PN. Methods A web-based survey containing 40 closed questions was developed. All teachers working at all private and public schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a state in northeastern Germany, were invited to participate after their respective school offices were contacted by telephone, email and mail. Results In total, 255 teachers participated in the survey. Of those, 73.3 % had already heard about PN in general, and 68.2 % had heard about PN in students. Their sources of knowledge were digital media such as TV (73.8 %) and the internet (40.6 %) and print media (64.7 %); their own students informed 29.9 % of the teachers about PN in general and 35.6 % of them about PN among students. Furthermore, 34.9 % of the surveyed teachers were convinced that PN substance use was ineffective in general, and 51.8 % of the surveyed teachers believed that PN substances were ineffective in achieving better grades. Only 1.2 % thought that none of the so-called PN substances could lead to addiction, and 37.6 % would classify PN substance use as general drug misuse. The highest values regarding risk of addiction were observed for illicit drugs. The prevalence of PN substance use was evaluated to be very low and to be significantly higher in male, highly skilled and college/university students. In total, 1.6 school lessons per year were used to discuss PN. Finally, 55.7 % of the surveyed teachers believed that performance-enhancing substances should be forbidden at schools. Conclusion Teachers, as an integral part of the education of children and adolescents, often know about PN substances and mostly refuse their use being afraid about the risk of addiction. However, regarding effects as well as side effects of PN substances, teachers have very different opinions. Furthermore, they seem to underestimate the prevalence among their students and broach the topic infrequently. Teachers should be sensitized for high prevalence rates and should broach the topic of PN more frequently to their students to prevent potential misuse of PN substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas G Franke
- Department of Social Work and Education, University of Neubrandenburg (University of Applied Sciences), Brodaer Str. 2, 17033, Neubrandenburg, Germany.
| | - Sophie Lehmberg
- Private Clinic Meiringen, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 3860 Meiringen, Switzerland
| | - Michael Soyka
- Private Clinic Meiringen, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 3860 Meiringen, Switzerland.,Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Germany
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Vargo EJ, Petróczi A. "It Was Me on a Good Day": Exploring the Smart Drug Use Phenomenon in England. Front Psychol 2016; 7:779. [PMID: 27303339 PMCID: PMC4882335 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The non-medical use of prescription medication for the pursuit of increasing cognitive and intellectual capacities (defined neuroenhancement) has received growing attention from the scientific community and policymakers alike. To date, limited qualitative data exist exploring the nature of the phenomenon, especially as a potentially emerging trend among university students in England. Existing American literature suggests that students believe that neuroenhancement helps the individual to maximize his/her time, consenting a suitable balance between work and leisure. Students' motivation to experiment with neuroenhancement appears to be more in line with a need to regulate emotions surrounding study/work settings than to actually improve cognitive abilities beyond normal levels. This study aimed to qualitatively explore representations, motivations, beliefs, and consumption styles of a cohort of university student users residing in England. Through snowball sampling, 13 informants were contacted and interviewed regarding their experience with neuroenhancers. Narrations were analyzed and interpreted using qualitative analysis software and Grounded Theory methodology. Participants belonged to a broad variety of university courses and were predominantly habitual consumers of modafinil. Neuroenhancers were acquired either through friends or via the Internet. Motivations regarded the need to "catch up" and be on par with high achieving students. The entire cohort had previously experimented with other psychotropic substances. Synthetic compounds in particular were believed to be "gateway" drugs to using neuroenhancers. Experimentation with neuroenhancement can be seen as a self-governing strategy aimed at achieving continued focused productivity. Participants acknowledged sustainable benefits in neuroenhancement as it optimized work performance. The majority of the cohort also contemplated the possibility of using these drugs in the future once they entered the workforce. Neuroenhancing drug users expressed "situated morality," differentiating between using these substances for assessments (exams) or during revisions, finding only the former as an immoral conduct. In the present scenario, it appears that neuroenhancement is practiced by small numbers of students. Nonetheless, the instrumental views of psychotropic substances held by many young adults and the globalization of these practices make the normalization of neuroenhancement a plausible possibility of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J Vargo
- Pharmacy and Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University Surrey, UK
| | - Andrea Petróczi
- Pharmacy and Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University Surrey, UK
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Dietz P, Soyka M, Franke AG. Pharmacological Neuroenhancement in the Field of Economics-Poll Results from an Online Survey. Front Psychol 2016; 7:520. [PMID: 27148128 PMCID: PMC4835716 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The use of over-the-counter, prescription, and illicit drugs to increase attention, concentration, or memory—often called (pharmacological) neuroenhancement—shows a broad range of prevalence rates among students. However, very little data is available on neuroenhancement among employed persons. The aim of this study was to provide first data on substance use for neuroenhancement among readers of the German “Handelsblatt” coming from the field of economics. Methods: Readers of the online edition of the Handelsblatt, a leading print and online medium for the field of economics, were invited to participate in a survey via a link on the journal homepage to complete a web-based questionnaire. Within the questionnaire, participants were asked for their gender, current age, current professional status, hours of work per week, prevalence rates of substance use for the purpose of neuroenhancement as well as for reasons of its use. Binary regression analyses with stepwise forward selection were used to predict the dependent variables “use of illicit and prescription drugs for neuroenhancement” (yes/no), “use of over-the-counter drugs for neuroenhancement” (yes/no), and “use of any drug for neuroenhancement” (yes/no). Results: A total of 1021 participants completed the anonymous survey. Lifetime prevalence for the use of any drug for neuroenhancement was 88.0% and for the use of illicit and prescription drugs for neuroenhancement 19.0%. Reasons and situations that predicted neuroenhancement with illicit and prescription drugs were “curiosity,” “to enhance mood,” ”for a confident appearance,” “stress/pressure to perform,” and “deadline pressure.” Discussion: The study shows that neuroenhancement with drugs is a widespread and frequent phenomenon among people belonging to the professional field of economics. Given in the literature that the use of drugs, especially prescription, and illicit drugs, may be associated with side effects, the high epidemic of drug use for neuroenhancement also shown in the present paper underlines the new public health concern of neuroenhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dietz
- Department of Physical Activity and Public Health, Institute of Sport Science, University of Graz Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Soyka
- Private Clinic Meiringen, Clinic for Psychiatry and PsychotherapyMeiringen, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian UniversityMunich, Germany
| | - Andreas G Franke
- Department of Social Work and Education, University of Neubrandenburg Neubrandenburg, Germany
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Faber NS, Savulescu J, Douglas T. Why is Cognitive Enhancement Deemed Unacceptable? The Role of Fairness, Deservingness, and Hollow Achievements. Front Psychol 2016; 7:232. [PMID: 26925027 PMCID: PMC4759582 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We ask why pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) is generally deemed morally unacceptable by lay people. Our approach to this question has two core elements. First, we employ an interdisciplinary perspective, using philosophical rationales as base for generating psychological models. Second, by testing these models we investigate how different normative judgments on PCE are related to each other. Based on an analysis of the relevant philosophical literature, we derive two psychological models that can potentially explain the judgment that PCE is unacceptable: the "Unfairness-Undeservingness Model" and the "Hollowness-Undeservingness Model." The Unfairness-Undeservingness Model holds that people judge PCE to be unacceptable because they take it to produce unfairness and to undermine the degree to which PCE-users deserve reward. The Hollowness-Undeservingness Model assumes that people judge PCE to be unacceptable because they find achievements realized while using PCE hollow and undeserved. We empirically test both models against each other using a regression-based approach. When trying to predict judgments regarding the unacceptability of PCE using judgments regarding unfairness, hollowness, and undeservingness, we found that unfairness judgments were the only significant predictor of the perceived unacceptability of PCE, explaining about 36% of variance. As neither hollowness nor undeservingness had explanatory power above and beyond unfairness, the Unfairness-Undeservingness Model proved superior to the Hollowness-Undeservingness Model. This finding also has implications for the Unfairness-Undeservingness Model itself: either a more parsimonious single-factor "Fairness Model" should replace the Unfairness-Undeservingness-Model or fairness fully mediates the relationship between undeservingness and unacceptability. Both explanations imply that participants deemed PCE unacceptable because they judged it to be unfair. We conclude that concerns about unfairness play a crucial role in the subjective unacceptability of PCE and discuss the implications of our approach for the further investigation of the psychology of PCE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadira S. Faber
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxford, UK
- Oxford Martin School, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Oxford Martin School, University of OxfordOxford, UK
- Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - Thomas Douglas
- Oxford Martin School, University of OxfordOxford, UK
- Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of OxfordOxford, UK
- Brasenose College, University of OxfordOxford, UK
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Brand R, Koch H. Using Caffeine Pills for Performance Enhancement. An Experimental Study on University Students' Willingness and Their Intention to Try Neuroenhancements. Front Psychol 2016; 7:101. [PMID: 26903909 PMCID: PMC4746440 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research has indicated that university students sometimes use caffeine pills for neuroenhancement (NE; non-medical use of psychoactive substances or technology to produce a subjective enhancement in psychological functioning and experience), especially during exam preparation. In our factorial survey experiment, we manipulated the evidence participants were given about the prevalence of NE amongst peers and measured the resulting effects on the psychological predictors included in the Prototype-Willingness Model of risk behavior. Two hundred and thirty-one university students were randomized to a high prevalence condition (read faked research results overstating usage of caffeine pills amongst peers by a factor of 5; 50%), low prevalence condition (half the estimated prevalence; 5%) or control condition (no information about peer prevalence). Structural equation modeling confirmed that our participants’ willingness and intention to use caffeine pills in the next exam period could be explained by their past use of neuroenhancers, attitude to NE and subjective norm about use of caffeine pills whilst image of the typical user was a much less important factor. Provision of inaccurate information about prevalence reduced the predictive power of attitude with respect to willingness by 40-45%. This may be because receiving information about peer prevalence which does not fit with their perception of the social norm causes people to question their attitude. Prevalence information might exert a deterrent effect on NE via the attitude-willingness association. We argue that research into NE and deterrence of associated risk behaviors should be informed by psychological theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Brand
- Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Potsdam Potsdam, Germany
| | - Helen Koch
- Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Potsdam Potsdam, Germany
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Sattler S, Schunck R. Associations Between the Big Five Personality Traits and the Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs for Cognitive Enhancement. Front Psychol 2016; 6:1971. [PMID: 26779083 PMCID: PMC4700267 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While the number of studies of the non-medical use of prescription drugs to augment cognitive functions is growing steadily, psychological factors that can potentially help explain variance in such pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement (CE) behavior are often neglected in research. This study investigates the association between the Big Five personality traits and a retrospective (prior CE-drug use) as well as a prospective (willingness to use CE drugs) measure of taking prescription drugs with the purpose of augmenting one's cognitive functions (e.g., concentration, memory, or vigilance) without medical necessity. We use data from a large representative survey of German employees (N = 6454, response rate = 29.8%). The Five Factor Model (FFM) of Personality was measured with a short version of the Big Five Personality Traits Inventory (BFI-S), which includes: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Together with this, demographic variables such as gender, age, education, and income were used as potential confounders in multiple logistic regression models. Our results show a 2.96% lifetime prevalence of CE-drug use and a 10.45% willingness to (re)use such drugs in the future. We found that less conscientious and more neurotic respondents have a higher probability of prior CE-drug use and a greater willingness to use CE drugs in the future. No significant effects were found for openness, extraversion, or agreeableness. Prior CE-drug use was strongly associated with a greater willingness to take such drugs in the future. This study shows that specific personality traits are not only associated with prior enhancement behavior, but also affect the willingness to (re)use such drugs. It helps increase understanding of the risk factors of CE-drug use, which is a health-related behavior that can entail severe side-effects for consumers. The knowledge gathered can thus help improve interventions aimed at minimizing health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Sattler
- Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany
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