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Emery NN, Walters KJ, Sung A, Douglass MA, Baumgardner S, Mataczynski MJ. Characterizing the dimensions of positive emotion functioning in young adult alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Addict Behav 2024; 151:107950. [PMID: 38154404 PMCID: PMC11265522 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107950] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Emotional functioning figures prominently in most contemporary models of alcohol use (Kassel & Veilleux, 2010). These models posit that alcohol use becomes reinforced due to its ability to regulate a person's affect (Sher & Grekin, 2007). A growing body of literature suggests that for youth, positive reinforcement (i.e., using alcohol to enhance positive feelings or to increase their duration) is a leading mechanism facilitating increased use (Emery & Simons 2020; Howard et al., 2015). However, few, if any, studies have examined the unique associations between multiple indicators of positive emotional functioning and alcohol use as well as alcohol-related problems. We aimed to fill this gap by using secondary data from large college student sample (N = 402) to characterize the unique associations between trait indicators of positive emotional functioning (i.e., positive affect, anhedonia, savoring, positive emotion dysregulation) and alcohol use as well as alcohol-related problems. Results indicated trait positive emotion dysregulation (difficulty managing intense positive emotions) was positively related to both alcohol consumption (IRR = 1.03, p =.019) and alcohol-related problems (IRR = 1.03, p =.001). Interestingly, trait savoring (i.e., ability to increase the intensity/duration of positive emotions) was positively related to alcohol consumption (IRR = 1.18, p =.049) and inversely related to problems (IRR = 0.86, p =.019). None of the other positive emotion indicators were significantly associated with either alcohol use or problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah N Emery
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
| | - Kyle J Walters
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas, St. Ste. 601, MSC 617 Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Angelina Sung
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Morgan A Douglass
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Susi Baumgardner
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Maggie J Mataczynski
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
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Trinh CD, Girard R, Schick MR, Spillane NS. Positive psychological interventions on alcohol use and consequences: Pilot randomized trial in a young adult cannabis-using sample. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 158:209241. [PMID: 38056630 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209241] [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] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young adults exhibit high rates of concurrent alcohol and cannabis use, which is associated with more negative alcohol-related consequences. Positive psychological interventions have successfully been leveraged to target alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use, as well as substance use disorders, and may be a useful harm reduction approach to reduce alcohol-related consequences. This pilot study sought to generate effect sizes for two positive psychological interventions, Savoring and Three Good Things, on frequency of alcohol use, quantity of alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences. METHODS The current study used data from a pilot study testing positive psychological interventions to reduce cannabis use and cannabis-related consequences in young adults (ages 18 to 25) who used cannabis at least once per week within the prior month (N = 50, Mage = 22.72, 72 % men, 40 % White). Participants reported baseline alcohol and cannabis use and alcohol-related consequences, then the study randomized them to complete a daily Savoring intervention, Three Good Things, or a control exercise, and completed daily text message surveys for two weeks (i.e., the intervention period) and a follow-up survey. RESULTS Analyses revealed no significant differences across experimental conditions on alcohol use frequency, alcohol use quantity, or alcohol-related consequences at baseline or follow-up. Paired samples t-tests demonstrated that participants in the Savoring group showed large, significant decreases in alcohol-related consequences (t[16] = 2.28, p = .04, gav = 0.54); no decreases occurred in frequency or quantity of alcohol use. The Three Good Things group showed no significant decreases in alcohol-related consequences, frequency of alcohol use, or quantity of alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that a larger scale clinical trial is warranted to determine whether Savoring and Three Good Things might function as harm reduction interventions to reduce alcohol-related consequences in young adults who concurrently use alcohol and cannabis. Future research should use a larger sample, a longer intervention administration period, and a longer follow-up period to examine these positive psychological interventions more rigorously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D Trinh
- University of Rhode Island, Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Rachel Girard
- University of Rhode Island, Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Melissa R Schick
- Yale School of Medicine, Division of Prevention and Community Research, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Nichea S Spillane
- University of Rhode Island, Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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Trinh CD, Schick MR, Lynch-Gadaleta B, Martz A, Nalven T, Spillane NS. The Role of Savoring in Young Adult Cannabis Use and Associated Consequences: A Replication Study. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37947346 PMCID: PMC11082068 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2278583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Young adults exhibit high rates of cannabis use and are at heightened risk of experiencing negative cannabis-associated consequences. The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend to prior work on savoring, the ability to experience positive experiences/emotions, and cannabis use frequency on cannabis-associated consequences. Young adults (18-25 years old, N = 122, 36.1% women) who reported weekly cannabis use completed self-report surveys. Savoring was significantly associated with cannabis use frequency (r = .28, p < .01) and cannabis-associated consequences (r = -.20, p < .05). Cannabis use frequency was significantly and negatively associated with cannabis-associated consequences (r = -.24, p < .01). However, the interaction between cannabis use frequency and savoring on cannabis-associated consequences was not significant (b = 0.0004, p = .91, 95% CI [-0.007, 0.008]). When the interaction was removed, neither cannabis use frequency (b = -0.14, p = .08, CI [-0.29, -0.02]) nor savoring (b = -0.05, p = .16, CI [-0.13, 0.02]) were associated with cannabis-associated consequences. Results did not replicate previous findings regarding the moderating role of savoring in the relationship between cannabis use frequency and cannabis-associated consequences. Future research may explore why findings did not replicate by using more fine-grained assessment methods and comprehensive measures of cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D. Trinh
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Melissa R. Schick
- Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Anika Martz
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Tessa Nalven
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nichea S. Spillane
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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Spillane NS, Schick MR, Hostetler KL, Trinh CD, Kahler CW. Results of a pilot study examining the effect of positive psychology interventions on cannabis use and related consequences. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 131:107247. [PMID: 37263491 PMCID: PMC10875633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107247] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young adults experience high rates of cannabis use and consequences. Cross-sectional work has linked positive psychological constructs (e.g., savoring) to less cannabis use and consequences, and positive psychological interventions (PPIs) have shown promise in targeting other substance use behaviors. This pilot study sought to provide an initial test of PPIs to reduce young adult cannabis use and consequences. METHODS Adults (18-25 years old) who endorsed at least weekly past-month cannabis use (N = 59, 69.6% men, 41.1% White) reported their baseline cannabis use and consequences. Participants were randomized to complete one of three daily exercises (Savoring, Three Good Things, or a control) along with daily text message surveys for two weeks, then completed a follow-up survey at the end of the two weeks. RESULTS Paired samples t-tests indicated that participants in the Three Good Things group showed medium to large reductions in frequency of weekly cannabis use (p = .08, gav = -0.57) and cannabis-associated consequences (p = .08, gav = -0.57) from baseline to follow-up. In the Savoring and control groups, there were not significant changes in frequency of weekly cannabis use (Savoring: p = .39, gav = 0.20; Control: p = .96, gav = 0.01) nor cannabis-associated consequences (Savoring: p = .84, gav = 0.05; Control: p = .45, gav = -0.18). Participants in both positive psychology conditions reported the exercises were easy to complete, providing evidence for acceptability. DISCUSSION Results provide initial support for the feasibility and potential promise of a text-message based PPI as a harm reduction approach for cannabis users. A larger clinical trial is warranted to test the effects of such interventions with adequate statistical power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichea S Spillane
- PATHS Lab, University of Rhode Island Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America.
| | - Melissa R Schick
- PATHS Lab, University of Rhode Island Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America; Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America
| | - Katherine L Hostetler
- PATHS Lab, University of Rhode Island Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America; Health Services Research & Development, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908, United States of America
| | - Catherine D Trinh
- PATHS Lab, University of Rhode Island Department of Psychology, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America
| | - Christopher W Kahler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02903, United States of America
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Grigsby TJ, Lopez A, Albers L, Rogers CJ, Forster M. A Scoping Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Negative Cannabis Use Consequences. Subst Abuse 2023; 17:11782218231166622. [PMID: 37056398 PMCID: PMC10087658 DOI: 10.1177/11782218231166622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective Numerous reviews have examined risk and protective factors for alcohol-related negative consequences, but no equivalent review of risk and protective factors exists for cannabis-related negative consequences (CRNCs)-a gap filled by the present study. This scoping review examined survey-based research of risk and protective factors for CRNCs such as neglecting responsibilities, blacking out, or needing more cannabis. Methods Three databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar) were searched for peer-reviewed manuscripts published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2021. A qualitative synthesis was performed using the matrix method and the results were organized using the socioecological model as a framework. Results Eighty-three studies were included in the review. There was considerable variation in measures and operationalizations of CRNCs across studies. Risk factors were identified in the intrapersonal (depression, social anxiety, PTSD, impulsivity, sensation seeking, motives, expectancies), interpersonal/community (trauma, victimization, family and peer substance use, social norms), and social/policy (education, employment, community attachment, legalization, availability of substances) domains of influence. Protective behavioral strategies were a robust protective factor for CRNCs. Males consistently reported more CRNCs than females, but there were no differences observed across race. Conclusions Future research should identify person- and product-specific patterns of CRNCs to refine theoretical models of cannabis misuse and addiction. Public health interventions to reduce the risk of negative consequences from cannabis should consider utilizing multilevel interventions to attenuate the cumulative risk from a combination of psychological, contextual, and social influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Grigsby
- Department of Social and Behavioral
Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Timothy J. Grigsby, Department of Social
and Behavioral Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy,
Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA.
| | - Andrea Lopez
- Department of Social and Behavioral
Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Larisa Albers
- Department of Population and Public
Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J. Rogers
- Department of Health Sciences,
California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA
| | - Myriam Forster
- Department of Health Sciences,
California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA
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Bryant FB. Current Progress and Future Directions for Theory and Research on Savoring. Front Psychol 2021; 12:771698. [PMID: 34970196 PMCID: PMC8712667 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As research on savoring has increased dramatically since publication of the book Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience (Bryant and Veroff, 2007), savoring has gradually become a core concept in positive psychology. I begin by reviewing the evolution of this concept, the development of instruments for assessing savoring ability and savoring strategies, and the wide range of applications of savoring in the psychosocial and health sciences. I then consider important directions for future theory and research. To advance our understanding of how naturalistic savoring unfolds over time, future work should integrate the perceptual judgments involved in not only the later stages of attending to and regulating positive experience (where past research has concentrated), but also the initial stages of searching for and noticing positive stimuli. Whereas most research has investigated reactive savoring, which occurs spontaneously in response to positive events or feelings, future work is also needed on proactive savoring, which begins with the deliberate act of seeking out or creating positive stimuli. To advance the measurement of savoring-related constructs, I recommend future work move beyond retrospective self-report methods toward the assessment of savoring as it occurs in real-time. The development of new methods of measuring meta-awareness and the regulation of attentional focus are crucial to advancing our understanding of savoring processes. I review recent research on the neurobiological correlates of savoring and suggest future directions in which to expand such work. I highlight the need for research aimed at unraveling the developmental processes through which savoring skills and deficits evolve and the role that savoring impairments play in the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology. Research is also needed to learn more about what enhances savoring, and to disentangle how people regulate the intensity versus duration of positive emotions. Finally, I encourage future researchers to integrate the study of anticipation, savoring the moment, and reminiscence within individuals across time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred B. Bryant
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Mian MN, Altman BR, Ueno LF, Earleywine M. Confirming Savoring's Link to Fewer Cannabis Problems. J Psychoactive Drugs 2020; 53:201-206. [PMID: 33225860 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1853284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Savoring has covaried inversely with cannabis problems and moderated the association between cannabis use and negative consequences related to use. Research has not yet addressed the acceptability of savoring interventions for cannabis users. The present study aimed to replicate the finding of savoring as a protective factor against problems for cannabis users. The second aim of the study was to examine preferences for a savoring intervention among problem-endorsing cannabis users. We sampled 447 (63.3% female) problem users who self-reported cannabis use, cannabis problems, savoring beliefs, and preferences for cannabis use interventions. On average, our sample reported using cannabis 4.7 days per week and 16.03 times per month, with men endorsing significantly more cannabis-related problems than women. Savoring did increase as problems decreased, but the moderator effect did not replicate. Problem cannabis users preferred a savoring intervention to a typical harm reduction intervention across all sampled demographics, with one notable exception: women were 1.73 times more likely to prefer a savoring intervention. Our findings confirmed that cannabis problems decrease as savoring increases and identified a preference for a savoring intervention among problem users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha N Mian
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Brianna R Altman
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Luna F Ueno
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Mitch Earleywine
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
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Altman BR, Mian MN, Ueno LF, Earleywine M. Examining and validating the factor structure of the cannabis-associated problems questionnaire. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1821807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brianna R. Altman
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Maha N. Mian
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Luna F. Ueno
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Mitch Earleywine
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
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