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Hess EM, Greenstein DK, Hutchinson OL, Zarate CA, Gould TD. Entactogen Effects of Ketamine: A Reverse-Translational Study. Am J Psychiatry 2024:appiajp20230980. [PMID: 38982828 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230980] [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] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors sought to assess the prosocial, entactogen effects of ketamine. METHODS Pleasure from social situations was assessed in a sample of participants with treatment-resistant depression from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, using four items of the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) at five time points over 1 week following treatment with ketamine (0.5 mg/kg intravenously) or placebo. The primary endpoint was postinfusion self-reported pleasure on the four SHAPS items pertaining to social situations, including the item on helping others, between the ketamine and placebo groups. In a rodent experiment, the impact of ketamine on helping behavior in rats was assessed using the harm aversion task. The primary endpoint was a reduction in lever response rate relative to baseline, which indicated the willingness of rats to forgo obtaining sucrose to help protect their cage mate from electric shock. RESULTS Relative to placebo, ketamine increased ratings of feeling pleasure from being with family or close friends, seeing other people's smiling faces, helping others, and receiving praise, for 1 week following treatment. In the rodent experiment, during the harm aversion task, ketamine-treated rats maintained lower response rates relative to baseline to a greater extent than what was observed in vehicle-treated rats for 6 days posttreatment and delivered fewer shocks overall. CONCLUSIONS In patients with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine treatment was associated with increased pleasure from social situations, such as feeling pleasure from helping others. Ketamine-treated rats were more likely to protect their cage mate from harm, at the cost of obtaining sucrose. These findings suggest that ketamine has entactogen effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M Hess
- Department of Psychiatry (Hess, Hutchinson, Gould), Department of Neurobiology (Gould), and Department of Pharmacology (Gould), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore (Gould)
| | - Dede K Greenstein
- Department of Psychiatry (Hess, Hutchinson, Gould), Department of Neurobiology (Gould), and Department of Pharmacology (Gould), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore (Gould)
| | - Olivia L Hutchinson
- Department of Psychiatry (Hess, Hutchinson, Gould), Department of Neurobiology (Gould), and Department of Pharmacology (Gould), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore (Gould)
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Department of Psychiatry (Hess, Hutchinson, Gould), Department of Neurobiology (Gould), and Department of Pharmacology (Gould), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore (Gould)
| | - Todd D Gould
- Department of Psychiatry (Hess, Hutchinson, Gould), Department of Neurobiology (Gould), and Department of Pharmacology (Gould), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore (Gould)
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2
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Arafat D, Thoma P. Impairments of Sociocognitive Functions in Individuals with Behavioral Addictions: A Review Article. J Gambl Stud 2024; 40:429-451. [PMID: 37308789 PMCID: PMC10259812 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10227-w] [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] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Since little is known about the exact pattern of social cognitive impairments related to behavioral addictions, the aim of the PRISMA-oriented review was to (i) provide an overview of relevant empirical publications, and to (ii) to elucidate which specific aspects of social cognition (i.e., emotion recognition, empathy, and theory of mind (ToM)) are impaired in different types of behavioral addictions. Behavioral addictions have been associated with cognitive deficits which may contribute to impaired social cognitive functioning. More recently, this domain has been investigated in patients with behavioral addictions as impaired social cognition detrimentally affects daily functioning and thus forms a relevant target for treatment. A systematic search in the PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed focusing on social cognitive functions in behavioral addictions. Studies focusing on the same social cognitive component were grouped together, this was done based on the used assessment measures. In total, 18 studies met the specified inclusion criteria. Five studies focusing on emotion recognition concluded that individuals with behavioral addictions show impairments in this domain. As for the 13 studies focusing on empathy and/or ToM, most of them found deficits linked to different types of behavioral addictions. Only two studies, one of which was investigating a distinct population (multiplayer online role-playing gamers) did not link empathy to behavioral addictions. The results show that the majority of studies focusing on social cognition and behavioral addictions found some deficits. Additional research focusing on this topic is urgently needed in behavioral addictions, addressing several methodological issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Arafat
- Neuropsychological Therapy Centre, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Patrizia Thoma
- Neuropsychological Therapy Centre, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Level RA, Zhang Y, Tiemeier H, Estabrook R, Shaw DS, Leve LD, Wakschlag LS, Reiss D, Neiderhiser JM, Massey SH. Unique influences of pregnancy and anticipated parenting on cigarette smoking: results and implications of a within-person, between-pregnancy study. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024; 27:301-308. [PMID: 37994923 PMCID: PMC11302987 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01396-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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Not all pregnant individuals want to become parents and "parenting intention" can also vary within individuals during different pregnancies. Nevertheless, the potential impact of parenting intention on health-related behavior during pregnancy has been heavily underexplored. In this study, we employed a within-person between pregnancy design to estimate the effect of parenting-specific influences on smoking, separate from pregnancy-specific and individual-level influences. We quantified within-mother differences in smoking during pregnancies of infants they reared (n = 84) versus pregnancies of infants they placed for adoption at birth (n = 65) using multivariate mixed-effects Poisson regression models. Mean cigarettes/day declined as the pregnancy progressed regardless of whether infants were reared or placed. However, participants smoked fewer cigarettes/day during reared pregnancies. Relative to "adopted" pregnancies, smoking during "reared" pregnancies was lower by 24%, 41%, and 54% in first (95% CI 0.64-0.90; p = 0.001), second (95% CI 0.48-0.72; p < 0.001), and third trimesters (95% CI 0.36-0.59; p < 0.001), respectively, independent of between-pregnancy differences in maternal age, fetal sex, parity, and pregnancy complications. Female sex and nulliparity were protective. Parenting intention was associated with a protective effect on pregnancy smoking independent of pregnancy-specific influences and individual characteristics. Failure to consider the impact of parenting intention on health-related behavior during pregnancy could perpetuate an unrealistic expectation to "do what's best for the baby" and stigmatize women with unintended or unwanted pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Level
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Yingzhe Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryne Estabrook
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel S Shaw
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Leslie D Leve
- Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Lauren S Wakschlag
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David Reiss
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jenae M Neiderhiser
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Suena H Massey
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Winters DE, Massey SH, Sakai JT. Adolescent substance use outcomes in response to social consequences of use: the role of empathy. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2024; 54:202-217. [PMID: 38434989 PMCID: PMC10906742 DOI: 10.1177/00220426231159303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Evidence suggests empathy deficits have a temporal relationship with substance use severity by late adolescence theorized to decrease use via recognition of social consequences. However, this has yet to be tested empirically along with differences in cognitive and affective empathy. Adolescents admitted to substance use treatment (n= 3,382) were followed through treatment and 12 months after treatment. Variable trajectories were fit using growth curve models; and cross-lagged effects of cognitive and affective empathy on response to social consequences of use were tested along with how response to social consequences affected the mean trajectory of substance use. Results indicate higher cognitive empathy predicted greater response to social consequences of use and response to these consequences at the end of treatment predicted a steeper decrease in substance use. This evidence highlights the importance of cognitive empathy for responding to social consequences of use for motivating less substance use in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 e. 17th place, Aurora, CO 80045-2559, USA
| | - Suena H Massey
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Joseph T Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 e. 17th place, Aurora, CO 80045-2559, USA
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5
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McCurdy LY, Yip SW, Worhunsky PD, Zhai ZW, Kim S, Strathearn L, Potenza MN, Mayes LC, Rutherford HJV. Neural correlates of altered emotional responsivity to infant stimuli in mothers who use substances. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 171:126-133. [PMID: 38277872 PMCID: PMC10922955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Mothers who use substances during pregnancy and postpartum may have altered maternal behavior towards their infants, which can have negative consequences on infant social-emotional development. Since maternal substance use has been associated with difficulties in recognizing and responding to infant emotional expressions, investigating mothers' subjective responses to emotional infant stimuli may provide insight into the neural and psychological processes underlying these differences in maternal behavior. In this study, 39 mothers who used substances during the perinatal period and 42 mothers who did not underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while viewing infant faces and hearing infant cries. Afterwards, they rated the emotional intensity they thought each infant felt ('think'-rating), and how intensely they felt in response to each infant stimulus ('feel'-rating). Mothers who used substances had lower 'feel'-ratings of infant stimuli compared to mothers who did not. Brain regions implicated in affective processing (e.g., insula, inferior frontal gyrus) were less active in response to infant stimuli, and activity in these brain regions statistically predicted maternal substance-use status. Interestingly, 'think'-ratings and activation in brain regions related to cognitive processing (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex) were comparable between the two groups of mothers. Taken together, these results suggest specific neural and psychological processes related to emotional responsivity to infant stimuli may reflect differences in maternal affective processing and may contribute to differences in maternal behavior in mothers who use substances compared to mothers who do not. The findings suggest potential neural targets for increasing maternal emotional responsivity and improving child outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yan McCurdy
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA; Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Sarah W Yip
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA; Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Patrick D Worhunsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Zu Wei Zhai
- Department of Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Sohye Kim
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA; Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Lane Strathearn
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA; Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA; Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA; Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA; The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, 06109, USA; The Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Linda C Mayes
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
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Sanov BN, Kumar L, Creswell KG. A systematic review of the acute effects of alcohol on emotion recognition of facial expressions. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13345. [PMID: 38017644 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13345] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol has been linked to both positive (e.g., sociability) and negative (e.g., aggression) social outcomes, and researchers have proposed that alcohol-induced changes in emotion recognition may partially explain these effects. Here, we systematically review alcohol administration studies to clarify the acute effects of alcohol on emotion recognition. We also investigate various moderator variables (i.e., sex, study quality, study design, alcohol dosage, emotion recognition task and outcome measure). PsycINFO, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched following a pre-registered PROSPERO protocol (CRD42021225392) and PRISMA methodology. Analyses focused on differences in emotion recognition between participants consuming alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic (i.e., placebo or no-alcohol control) beverages. Nineteen unique samples (N = 1271 participants) were derived from 17 articles (two articles included two studies, each conducted on a unique sample). Data were extracted for sample characteristics, alcohol administration methods and emotion recognition tasks and outcomes. All studies compared an alcoholic beverage to a placebo beverage and used tasks that asked participants to identify emotions from images or videos of facial expressions. Otherwise, methodologies varied substantially across studies, including the alcohol dosage(s) tested, the specific emotion recognition task(s) used and the outcome variable(s) assessed. No consistent effects of alcohol on emotion recognition emerged for any emotion. None of the moderator variables affected the findings, except for some indication that alcohol may affect males' emotion recognition abilities more so than females. Alcohol does not appear to consistently affect positive or negative emotion recognition of facial expressions, at least with the tasks currently used in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany N Sanov
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lakshmi Kumar
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kasey G Creswell
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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7
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Avila-Chauvet L, Mejía Cruz D, García-Leal Ó, Kluwe-Schiavon B. To produce or not to produce? Contrasting the effect of substance abuse in social decision-making situations. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19714. [PMID: 37809835 PMCID: PMC10559002 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) have been related to high criminal justice costs, expensive healthcare, social impairment, and decision-making deficits. In non-social decision-making tasks, people with SUD tend to take more risks and choose small immediate rewards than controls. However, few studies have explored how people with SUD behave in social decision-making situations where the resources and profits depend directly on participants' real-time interaction, i.e., social foraging situations. To fulfill this gap, we developed a real-time interaction task to (a) compare the proportion of producers (individuals who tend to search for food sources) and scroungers (individuals who tend to steal or join previously discovered food sources) among participants with SUD and controls with respect to the optimal behavior predicted by the Rate Maximization Model, and (b) explore the relationship between social foraging strategies, prosocial behavior, and impulsivity. Here participants with SUD (n = 20) and a non-user control group (n = 20) were exposed to the Guaymas Foraging task (GFT), the Social Discounting task (SD), and the Delay Discounting task (DD). We found that participants in the control group tended to produce more and obtain higher profits in contrast to substance abuser groups. Additionally, SD and DD rates were higher for scroungers than producers regardless of the group. Our results suggest that producers tend to be more altruistic and less impulsive than scroungers. Knowing more about social strategies and producers' characteristics could help develop substance abuse prevention programs.
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Guo L, Huang C, Lu J, Wu X, Shan H, Chen T, Shao S, Li X, Du M, Du J, Jiang H, Deng M, Wen X, Zhu R, Zhong N, Su H, Zhao M. Decreased inter-brain synchronization in the right middle frontal cortex in alcohol use disorder during social interaction: An fNIRS hyperscanning study. J Affect Disord 2023; 329:573-580. [PMID: 36828147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widespread mental disorder and has thrust a heavy burden on the health system all over the world. Social cognition and function are reported to be impaired in AUD, but its neural mechanism is rarely investigated. The current study attempts to fill this gap. METHODS 28 subjects with AUD and 36 healthy controls (HC) were recruited in this study and were paired into 14 AUD dyads and 18 HC dyads. The drinking problems, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity of subjects were measured. Each dyad completed cooperation and competition tasks with simultaneous frontal functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning recording. The inter-brain synchronization (IBS) in the frontal cortex was calculated for each dyad and compared between AUD and HC. The significantly altered IBS in AUD was correlated with clinical measures to explore possible influencing factors. RESULTS The IBS in the right middle frontal cortex was significantly decreased in AUD under both cooperation (t = -2.257, P = 0.028) and competition (t = -2.488, P = 0.016) task. The IBS during the cooperation task in the right middle frontal cortex in AUD was negatively correlated with non-planning impulsivity (r = -0.673, P = 0.006). LIMITATIONS This study used cross-sectional data, which limited the causal inference. The synchronization between other brain regions besides the frontal cortex should be further explored in patients with AUD. CONCLUSION The current study could provide new insights into the neural mechanism of social dysfunction in AUD and facilitate clinical intervention in future practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuanning Huang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojun Wu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidi Shan
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianzhen Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuxin Shao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoou Li
- College of Medical Instruments, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China; School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Mingfeng Du
- Substance Dependence Department, The Third People's Hospital of Fuyang, Fuyang, 236000, China
| | - Jiang Du
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Jiang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengqiao Deng
- Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xifeng Wen
- Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ruiming Zhu
- Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Na Zhong
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hang Su
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Min Zhao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Wan Ping Nan Road, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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Kumar L, Ringwald WR, Wright AGC, Creswell KG. Associations of state and trait empathy with daily alcohol use. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:951-962. [PMID: 37526597 PMCID: PMC10875975 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing literature documents associations between lower trait empathy and heavier alcohol use and more alcohol problems in adolescent and young adult samples. Prior work linking empathy and alcohol use/problems in these populations has thus far focused on trait rather than state empathy, and researchers often do not differentiate between cognitive and affective empathy. Further, no prior studies have examined associations between daily fluctuations in state empathy and alcohol use. The goal of the current study is to advance knowledge about the associations between state (vs. trait) and cognitive (vs. affective) empathy and alcohol use. METHODS Adult alcohol drinkers (n = 492; Mage = 22.89, SD = 5.53; 53.70% female) participated in ecological momentary assessment studies for 7 to 10 days (day n = 4683). Multilevel hurdle models were used to investigate associations between day-level state empathy and daily alcohol use at the within-person level, and associations between individual differences in trait empathy and alcohol use across days at the between-person level. RESULTS Higher day-level state affective empathy was not associated with the likelihood of drinking on a particular day, but it was significantly associated with a greater number of drinks consumed on alcohol-consuming days, with the latter associations remaining after controlling for day-level positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). No associations were found for day-level state cognitive empathy, or trait affective or cognitive empathy. CONCLUSIONS On drinking days, when individuals reported more affective empathy than is typical for them, they were more likely to consume a greater number of alcoholic drinks, results that remained when controlling for levels of PA and NA. Daily shifts in affective empathy may be important to consider in efforts to understand alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kumar
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Whitney R. Ringwald
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aidan G. C. Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kasey G. Creswell
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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10
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Donohue MR, Hoyniak CP, Tillman R, Barch DM, Luby J. Associations of observed callous-unemotional behaviors in early childhood with conduct problems and substance use over 14 years. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:421-432. [PMID: 36914291 PMCID: PMC10014890 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors (i.e., low concern and active disregard for others) uniquely predict severe conduct problems and substance use when present by late childhood. Less is known about the predictive utility of CU behaviors displayed in early childhood, when morality is developing and interventions may be more effective. Children aged 4-7 years (N = 246; 47.6% girls) completed an observational task wherein they were encouraged to tear an experimenter's valued photograph, and blind raters coded children's displayed CU behaviors. During the next 14 years, children's conduct problems (i.e., oppositional defiant and conduct symptoms) and age of onset of substance use were assessed. Compared to children displaying fewer CU behaviors, children displaying greater CU behaviors were 7.61 times more likely to meet criteria for a conduct disorder (n = 52) into early adulthood (95% CI, 2.96-19.59; p = <.0001), and their conduct problems were significantly more severe. Greater CU behaviors were associated with earlier onset of substance use (B = -.69, SE = .32, t = -2.14, p = .036). An ecologically valid observed indicator of early CU behavior was associated with substantially heightened risk for conduct problems and earlier onset substance use into adulthood. Early CU behavior is a powerful risk marker identifiable using a simple behavioral task which could be used to target children for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Rose Donohue
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Caroline P Hoyniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Rebecca Tillman
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Joan Luby
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
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11
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Cox SS, Reichel CM. The intersection of empathy and addiction. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 222:173509. [PMID: 36565789 PMCID: PMC10518853 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Empathy, the ability to perceive the affective state of another, is a complex process that is integral to many of the prosocial behaviors expressed in humans and across the animal kingdom. Research into the behavioral and neurobiological underpinnings of empathic behaviors has increased in recent years. Growing evidence suggests changes in empathy may contribute to a myriad of psychiatric illnesses, including substance use disorder (SUD). Indeed, both clinical and preclinical research in SUD demonstrates a strong relationship between drug taking or relapse events and changes to empathic behavior. Further, there is significant overlap in the underlying neural substrates of these complex behaviors, including the insula, paraventricular nucleus of thalamus (PVT), and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the interplay between empathic behaviors and SUD. We will also examine the underlying neurobiology that may regulate this interaction, focusing specifically on the insula, PVT, and PVN. Finally, we discuss the biologic and therapeutic importance of taking empathic processes into consideration when discussing SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart S Cox
- Medical University of South Carolina, Dept. of Neurosciences, United States of America.
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Medical University of South Carolina, Dept. of Neurosciences, United States of America.
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Kumar L, Zhou A, Sanov B, Beitler S, Skrzynski CJ, Creswell KG. Indirect effects of theory of mind on alcohol use and problems in underage drinkers: The role of peer pressure to drink. Addict Behav Rep 2022; 16:100468. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Kumar L, Skrzynski CJ, Creswell KG. Meta-analysis of associations between empathy and alcohol use and problems in clinical and non-clinical samples. Addiction 2022; 117:2793-2804. [PMID: 35546448 PMCID: PMC9796795 DOI: 10.1111/add.15941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To (1) measure the aggregated effect size of empathy deficits in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared with healthy controls, (2) measure the aggregated effect sizes for associations between lower empathy and heavier alcohol consumption and more alcohol problems in non-clinical samples and (3) identify potential moderators on the variability of effect sizes across studies in these meta-analyses. METHOD PsycINFO, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched following a pre-registered International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) protocol (CRD42021225392) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. We meta-analyzed (using random-effects models) mean differences in empathy between individuals with AUD compared with healthy controls and associations between empathy and alcohol consumption and alcohol problems in non-clinical samples. A total of 714 participants were included in the meta-analysis on clinical samples; 3955 were included in the meta-analyses on non-clinical samples. RESULTS Individuals with AUD reported significantly lower empathy than healthy controls [Hedges' g = -0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.91, -0.16, k = 9, P < 0.01, Q = 40.09, I2 = 80.04]. Study quality [Q = 1.88, degrees of freedom (d.f.) = 1, P = 0.17] and gender (β = -0.006, Z = -0.60, P = 0.55) were not moderators. Increases in age corresponded to an increase in effect size (β = 0.095, Z = 3.34, P < 0.001). Individuals with AUD (versus healthy controls) had significantly lower cognitive (Hedges' g = -0.44, CI = -0.79, -0.10, P < 0.05), but not affective empathy (Hedges' g = -0.19, CI = -0.51, 0.14, P = 0.27), and the difference between these was significant (Z = 2.34, k = 6, P < 0.01). In non-clinical samples, individuals with lower (versus higher) empathy reported heavier alcohol consumption (r = -0.12, CI = -0.15, -0.09, k = 11, P < 0.001, Q = 9.68, I2 = 0.00) and more alcohol problems (r = -0.08, CI = -0.14, -0.01, k = 7, P = 0.021, Q = 6.55, I2 = 8.34). There was no significant heterogeneity across studies. CONCLUSION Individuals with alcohol use disorder appear to show deficits in empathy compared with healthy controls. Deficits are particularly pronounced for older individuals and for cognitive (versus affective) empathy. In non-clinical samples, lower empathy appears to be associated with heavier alcohol consumption and more alcohol problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kumar
- Department of PsychologyCarnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghPA
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Kumar L, Skrzynski CJ, Creswell KG. Systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between theory of mind and alcohol problems in non-clinical samples. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1944-1952. [PMID: 36117380 PMCID: PMC9722547 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in theory of mind (ToM) found in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are often thought to result from prolonged heavy alcohol use. However, links between deficits in ToM and greater alcohol problems are often also present in non-clinical samples (e.g., adolescents and young adults) who may not have a similar long-lasting history of alcohol consumption as individuals with AUD. The current study is the first to systematically review and meta-analyze results from studies examining associations between lower ToM and greater alcohol problems in non-clinical samples. Evidence of reliable associations in these non-clinical samples would support the idea that deficits in ToM might also precede the emergence of AUD. METHODS PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched according to our preregistered International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) protocol (CRD42021225392) and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. We systematically reviewed sample characteristics and ToM measures in identified articles. We then meta-analyzed the findings of association between ToM and alcohol problems in non-clinical samples using random effects models. RESULTS Nearly all studies used a measure of ToM that assessed the ability to infer the mental states of others based on eye region cues. Meta-analytic results demonstrated that lower ToM was associated with more alcohol problems (r = -0.16, k = 6, CI = [-0.26, -0.04], p < 0.01, Q = 15.55, I2 = 67.85), and there was significant heterogeneity across studies. Gender (ß = 0.0003, CI = [-0.006, 0.007], z = 0.09, p = 0.93), age (ß = -0.008, CI = [-0.03, 0.01], z = -0.82, p = 0.42), and study quality (ß = -0.10, CI = [-0.35, 0.15], z = -0.82, p = 0.41) did not explain the heterogeneity. CONCLUSION In non-clinical samples, lower ToM is associated with more alcohol problems, indicative of a small effect size. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore whether socio-cognitive deficits may also serve as a risk factor for alcohol misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kumar
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Carillon J. Skrzynski
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 1600 Pleasant St., Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Kasey G. Creswell
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Massey SH, Pool LR, Estabrook R, Level RA, Shisler S, Stacks AM, Neiderhiser JM, Espy KA, Wakschlag LS, Eiden RD, Allen NB. Within-person decline in pregnancy smoking is observable prior to pregnancy awareness: Evidence across two independent observational cohorts. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13245. [PMID: 36301213 PMCID: PMC9939010 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13245] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Decreased consumption of nicotine and other drugs during pregnancy appears to be a cross-species phenomenon from which mechanism(s) capable of interrupting addictive processes could be elucidated. Whether pregnancy influences smoking behaviour independent of women's knowledge of the pregnancy, however, has not been considered. Using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), we estimated within-person change in mean cigarettes/day smoked across the estimated date of conception but prior to individually reported dates of pregnancy recognition using longitudinal smoking data from two independent observational cohorts, the Growing Up Healthy (GUH, n = 271) and Midwest Infant Development Studies (MIDS, n = 145). Participants smoked an average of half a pack/day in the month immediately before conception (M (SD) = 12(8.1) and 9.5(6.7) cigarettes/day in GUH and MIDS, respectively). We observed within-person declines in smoking after conception, both before (MGUH = -0.9; 95% CI -1.6, -0.2; p = 0.01; MMIDS = -1.1; 95% CI -1.9, -0.3; p = 0.01) and after (MGUH = -4.8; 95% CI -5.5, -4.1; p < 0.001; MMIDS = -3.3; 95% CI -4.4, -2.5; p < 0.001) women were aware of having conceived, even when women who had quit and women who were planning to conceive were excluded from analyses. Pregnancy may interrupt smoking-related processes via mechanisms not previously considered. Plausible candidates and directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suena H. Massey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Deparment of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lindsay R. Pool
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Deparment of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ryne Estabrook
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rachel A. Level
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shannon Shisler
- Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Ann M. Stacks
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Jenae M. Neiderhiser
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Espy
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren S. Wakschlag
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rina D. Eiden
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Norrina B. Allen
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Massey SH, Estabrook R, Lapping-Carr L, Newmark RL, Decety J, Wisner KL, Wakschlag LS. Are empathic processes mechanisms of pregnancy's protective effect on smoking? Identification of a novel target for preventive intervention. Soc Sci Med 2022; 305:115071. [PMID: 35660692 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spontaneous cessation and reduction in smoking by pregnant women suggest that concern about others, or empathy, could be a malleable target for intervention. We examined various empathy-related processes in relations to reported and biochemically assessed smoking during pregnancy. METHODS Participants were 154 pregnant women (M = 12.4 weeks gestation, SD = 4.6) who were smoking cigarettes immediately prior to pregnancy recognition (85 had quit and 69 were still smoking at enrollment). Empathy-related processes were measured with performance-based paradigms (affect sharing, empathic concern, and theory of mind) and a speech sample (expressed emotion). Smoking was assessed with timeline follow back interviews and urine cotinine assays. Using zero-inflated Poisson regression models, we tested direct and interactive effects of empathy-related processes with respect to biologically verified smoking cessation (zero portion); and mean cigarettes/day smoked after pregnancy recognition among persistent smokers (count portion). RESULTS Affect sharing was inversely related to post-recognition cigarettes/day (B(SE) = -0.17(0.07), 95%C.I. -0.30,-0.04, p = .011) and moderated the relationship between pre-recognition smoking and post-recognition smoking consistent with a buffering effect (B(SE) = -.17(0.05); 95%C.I. - 0.28,-0.06; p = .002). Other empathy related processes showed neither direct nor interactive effects on smoking outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Further research is recommended to clarify the role of empathy in pregnancy smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suena H Massey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N Saint Clair Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 633 N Saint Clair Street, 19th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Ryne Estabrook
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 W Harrison Street, 1018D, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Leiszle Lapping-Carr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N Saint Clair Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rebecca L Newmark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N Saint Clair Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 513 Parnassus Ave, Suite S-224, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Jean Decety
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5848 South University Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Katherine L Wisner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N Saint Clair Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lauren S Wakschlag
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 633 N Saint Clair Street, 19th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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17
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Cox SS, Kearns AM, Woods SK, Brown BJ, Brown SJ, Reichel CM. The role of the anterior insular during targeted helping behavior in male rats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3315. [PMID: 35228625 PMCID: PMC8885669 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07365-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Empathy, the understanding of the emotional state of others, can be examined across species using the Perception Action Model, where shared affect promotes an action by "Observers" to aid a distressed "Target". The anterior insula (AI) has garnered interest in empathic behavior due to its role integrating sensory and emotional information of self and other. In the following studies, the AI was inhibited pharmacologically and chemogenetically during targeted helping. We demonstrate the insula is active during, and is necessary for the maintenance of, targeted helping. Analysis of ultrasonic vocalizations revealed distress calls from Targets increased when Observers' helping was attenuated due to insula inhibition. Targets' elevated distress was directly correlated to Observers' diminished helping behavior, suggesting emotional transfer between Observer and Target is blunted following Observer AI inhibition. Finally, the AI may selectively blunt targeted helping, as social exploration did not change in a social reward place conditioning task. These studies help further establish the anterior insula as a critical node in the empathic brain during targeted helping, even in the absence of direct social contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart S Cox
- Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Basic Science Building Suite 416a, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Angela M Kearns
- Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Basic Science Building Suite 416a, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Samuel K Woods
- Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Basic Science Building Suite 416a, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Brogan J Brown
- Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Basic Science Building Suite 416a, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Samantha J Brown
- Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Basic Science Building Suite 416a, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Basic Science Building Suite 416a, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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Blair RJR, Bashford-Largo J, Zhang R, Mathur A, Schwartz A, Elowsky J, Tyler P, Hammond CJ, Filbey FM, Dobbertin M, Bajaj S, Blair KS. Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorder Symptom Severity, Conduct Disorder, and Callous-Unemotional Traits and Impairment in Expression Recognition. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:714189. [PMID: 34616316 PMCID: PMC8488132 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Alcohol and cannabis are commonly used by adolescents in the United States. Both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD) have been associated with reduced emotion expression recognition ability. However, this work has primarily occurred in adults and has not considered neuro-cognitive risk factors associated with conduct problems that commonly co-occur with, and precede, substance use. Yet, conduct problems are also associated with reduced emotion expression recognition ability. The current study investigated the extent of negative association between AUD and CUD symptom severity and expression recognition ability over and above any association of expression recognition ability with conduct problems [conduct disorder (CD) diagnostic status]. Methods: In this study, 152 youths aged 12.5-18 years (56 female; 60 diagnosed with CD) completed a rapid presentation morphed intensity facial expression task to investigate the association between relative severity of AUD/CUD and expression recognition ability. Results: Cannabis use disorder identification test (CUDIT) scores were negatively associated with recognition accuracy for higher intensity (particularly sad and fearful) expressions while CD diagnostic status was independently negatively associated with recognition of sad expressions. Alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) scores were not significantly associated with expression recognition ability. Conclusions: These data indicate that relative severity of CUD and CD diagnostic status are statistically independently associated with reduced expression recognition ability. On the basis of these data, we speculate that increased cannabis use during adolescence may exacerbate a neuro-cognitive risk factor for the emergence of aggression and antisocial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert James R. Blair
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Johannah Bashford-Largo
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Ru Zhang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Avantika Mathur
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Amanda Schwartz
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Jaimie Elowsky
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Patrick Tyler
- Child and Family Translational Research Center, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | | | - Francesca M. Filbey
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Matthew Dobbertin
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Sahil Bajaj
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
| | - Karina S. Blair
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, United States
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Nachane HB, Nadadgalli GV, Umate MS. Cognitive and affective empathy in men with alcohol dependence: Relation with clinical profile, abstinence, and motivation. Indian J Psychiatry 2021; 63:418-423. [PMID: 34789928 PMCID: PMC8522608 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_1101_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy plays a role not only in pathophysiology but also in planning management strategies for alcohol dependence; however, few studies have looked into it. No data are available regarding the variation of empathy with abstinence and motivation. Assessment based on cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy is needed. AIM This study aimed to assess cognitive and affective empathy in men with alcohol dependence and compared it with normal controls. Association of empathy with disease-specific variables, motivation, and abstinence was also done. METHODS This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary care center. Sixty men with alcohol dependence and 60 healthy controls were recruited and assessed using the Basic Empathy Scale for cognitive and affective empathy. The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale was used to assess motivation. Other variables were assessed using a semi-structured pro forma. Comparative analysis was done using unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Correlation was done using Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS Cases with alcohol dependence showed lower levels of cognitive, affective, and total empathy as compared to controls. Affective and total empathy were higher in abstinent men. Empathy varied across various stages of motivation, with a significant difference seen between precontemplation and action stages. Empathy correlated negatively with number of relapses and positively with family history of addiction. CONCLUSIONS Empathy (both cognitive and affective) is significantly reduced in alcohol dependence. Higher empathy correlates with lesser relapses. Abstinence and progression in motivation cycle is associated with remission in empathic deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gomati V Nadadgalli
- Department of Psychiatry, Grant Government College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Maithili S Umate
- Department of Psychiatry, Grant Government College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Empathy deficits and their behavioral, neuroanatomical, and functional connectivity correlates in smoked cocaine users. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110328. [PMID: 33865925 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reduced empathic abilities are frequently observed in drug abusers. These deficits may compromise interpersonal interactions and contribute to diminished social functioning. However, previous evidence regarding empathy and addiction is behaviorally unspecific and virtually null in terms of their brain structural or functional correlates. Moreover, no previous study has investigated how empathy is affected by drugs whose consumption is particularly characterized by counter-empathic behaviors. Here, we conducted the first assessment of neurocognitive correlates of empathy for pain in dependent users (predominantly men) of smoked cocaine (SC, coca paste, n = 37). We compared their performance in the empathy task with that of two groups matched in relevant demographic variables: 24 dependent users of insufflated cocaine hydrochloride (CC) and 21 healthy controls. In addition, we explored the structural anatomy and functional connectivity (FC) correlates of empathic impairments across groups. Our results showed that, compared to CC and controls, SC users exhibited a selective reduction of empathic concern for intentional harms. These impairments were associated with lower gray matter volumes in regions subserving social cognition (i.e., right inferior parietal lobule, supramarginal and angular gyri). Furthermore, reduced empathic concern correlated with FC within affective empathy and social cognition networks, which are also linked to cognitive changes reported in addiction (i.e., inferior frontal and orbital gyri, posterior insula, supplementary motor area, cingulate cortex). Our findings suggest that chronic consumption of SC may involve reduced empathic concern and relevant neuroanatomical and FC abnormalities, which, in turn, may result in social interaction dysfunction. These results can inform theoretical and applied developments in neuropsychopharmacology.
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21
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Antisocial Personality Problems in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Family Functioning, Impulsivity, and Empathy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060687. [PMID: 34071028 PMCID: PMC8224545 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
International research has evidenced the key role played by adults’ and adolescents’ family functioning, impulsivity, and empathy in antisocial personality problems. To date, no study has assessed the complex interaction between these variables during emerging adulthood. This study aimed to explore the possible interplay between antisocial personality problems, the quality of family functioning, impulsivity, and empathetic problems in a community sample of 350 emerging adults. Descriptive, correlational, hierarchical regression, and mediation analyses were performed, controlling relevant socio-demographic variables. Results showed a predictive effect of parental behavioral control, motor impulsivity, and empathetic concern in antisocial personality problems. Moreover, motor impulsivity and empathetic concern partially mediated the relationship between parental behavioral control and emerging adults’ antisocial personality problems. This study supports the recent evidence on the complex relationship between individual and relational protective and risk factors involved in antisocial personality problems during emerging adulthood, with important implications for their intervention treatments.
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Abstract
Empathy is a complex phenomenon critical for group survival and societal bonds. In addition, there is mounting evidence demonstrating empathic behaviors are dysregulated in a multitude of psychiatric disorders ranging from autism spectrum disorder, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Therefore, understanding the underlying drive and neurobiology of empathy is paramount for improving the treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals suffering from these psychiatric disorders. While there is a growing list of human studies, there is still much about empathy to understand, likely due to both its complexity and the inherent limitations of imaging modalities. It is therefore imperative to develop, validate, and utilize rodent models of empathic behaviors as translational tools to explore this complex topic in ways human research cannot. This review outlines some of the more prevailing theories of empathy, lists some of the psychiatric disorders with disrupted empathic processes, describes rat and mouse models of empathic behaviors currently used, and discusses ways in which these models have elucidated social, environmental, and neurobiological factors that may modulate empathy. The research tools afforded to rodent models will provide an increasingly clear translational understanding of empathic processes and consequently result in improvements in care for those diagnosed with any one of the many psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart S. Cox
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC, USA
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23
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Winters DE, Brandon-Friedman R, Yepes G, Hinckley JD. Systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-cognitive and socio-affective processes association with adolescent substance use. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 219:108479. [PMID: 33444900 PMCID: PMC7943258 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social impairments are important features of a substance use disorder diagnosis; and recent models suggest early impairments in socio-cognitive and -affective processes may predict future use. However, no systematic reviews are available on this topic. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses exploring the association between social-cognitive and -affective processes (empathy, callous-unemotional (CU) traits, theory of mind, and social cognition) and substance use frequency (alcohol, cannabis, general drug use). We examined moderating effects of study design, gender, age, and weather conduct problems were controlled for. We also review brain studies related to social cognition and substance use disorder (SUD) risk. RESULTS Systematic review suggested a negative association for positively valenced constructs with substance use but mixed results on the negatively valenced construct CU traits. Meta-analyses revealed moderate positive association between CU traits with alcohol and general drug use but no significance with cannabis use. Moderate effect sizes were found for CU traits in youth predicting severity of substance use by late adolescence and significantly accounted for variance independently of conduct problems. Significant moderators included gender proportions, sample type, and age. Neuroimaging meta-analysis indicated 10 coordinates that were different in youth at a high risk/with SUD compared to controls. Three of these coordinates associate with theory of mind and social cognition. CONCLUSION Socio-cognitive and -affective constructs demonstrate an association with current and future substance use, and neural differences are present when performing social cognitive tasks in regions with strongest associations with theory of mind and social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, United States.
| | | | - Gabriel Yepes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, United States
| | - Jesse D Hinckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, United States
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Moraleda-Barreno E, Cáceres Pachón MDP, Lozano ÓM, Pérez Moreno PJ, Lorca Marín JA, Fernández-Calderón F, Díaz Batanero C, Gómez-Bujedo J. Impairments in Executive Functioning in Patients with Comorbid Substance Use and Personality Disorders: A Systematic Review. J Dual Diagn 2021; 17:64-79. [PMID: 33092494 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2020.1829769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the evidence for impaired executive functioning in patients diagnosed with a dual pathology of personality disorder (PD) and substance use disorder, and to identify whether differences exist in comparison to those with a single diagnosis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies using measures of executive functioning in patients with PD-substance use disorder dual pathology. Sixteen studies were selected. Results: The results indicate that dual pathology patients with Cluster C personality disorder do not differ from controls, and that the presence of dual pathology does not influence the updating domain of executive functioning. The findings were inconclusive with regard to dual pathology patients with Cluster B personality disorders. Whilst the various studies consistently show that these patients show worse performance than the control groups, here are contradictory results with regard to whether Cluster B personality disorders add more alterations in executive functioning to those that already appear in substance use disorder. Conclusions: The results suggest the need for further research that more adequately controls variables such as time in treatment, medication, and sample size, whilst there is also a need to employ longitudinal designs that include more patients from Clusters A and C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Moraleda-Barreno
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Research Center in Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | | | - Óscar M Lozano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Research Center in Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Pedro J Pérez Moreno
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Research Center in Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - José Andrés Lorca Marín
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Research Center in Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Fermín Fernández-Calderón
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Research Center in Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Carmen Díaz Batanero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Research Center in Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Jesús Gómez-Bujedo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
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25
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Rae CL, Gierski F, Smith KW, Nikolaou K, Davies A, Critchley HD, Naassila M, Duka T. Differential brain responses for perception of pain during empathic response in binge drinkers compared to non-binge drinkers. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2020; 27:102322. [PMID: 32645662 PMCID: PMC7338615 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We measure empathic responses to imagery pain while adopting a ‘self’ vs ‘other’ perspective. Social drinkers who binge drink respond more slowly to imagery pain than those who do not. Binge drinkers show also stronger activation in fusiform body area to imagery pain ‘other’ Differences between binge and non-binge drinkers relate to ‘self’ vs. ‘other’ distinction.
Individuals who engage in binge drinking behaviors may show evidence of impaired cognitive function and emotional dysregulation. Impaired empathy, characterized by a reduced ability to understand and respond appropriately to feelings of others, is increasingly recognized for its role in Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). The present study examined a population of young adult social drinkers to compare individuals who show binge drinking behavior to those who do not on measures of empathic processing and associated neural responses. A secondary aim explored similarities and differences between binge drinkers living in the UK and France. Alcohol drinking history and impulsivity ratings were recorded from seventy-one participants [(37 UK (Binge drinkers N = 19); 34 France (Binge drinkers N = 17)], who then underwent a neuroimaging study. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants viewed images of bodily pain (vs. no-pain), while adopting the perspective of self (pain recipient) or other (observer of someone else experiencing pain). Anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) and insula activation distinguished pain from no-pain conditions. Binge drinkers showed stronger regional neural activation than non-binge drinkers within a cluster spanning fusiform gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus, encompassing the Fusiform Body Area. Binge drinkers compared to non-binge drinkers also took longer to respond when viewing pictures depicting pain, in particular when adopting the perspective of self. Relationships between changes in brain activation and behavioural responses in pain versus no pain conditions (self or other perspective) indicated that whereas non-binge drinkers engage areas supporting self to other distinction, binge drinkers do not. Our findings suggest that alcohol binge drinking is associated with different empathy-related behavioral and brain responses, consistent with the proposed importance of empathy in the development of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte L Rae
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, United Kingdom
| | - Fabien Gierski
- Cognition, Health, Society Laboratory (C2S, EA6291), University of Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France; Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool et les Pharmacodépendances, Equipe Région INSERM 24, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Kathleen W Smith
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool et les Pharmacodépendances, Equipe Région INSERM 24, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Kyriaki Nikolaou
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Davies
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, United Kingdom
| | - Hugo D Critchley
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Psychiatry, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Mickaël Naassila
- Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool et les Pharmacodépendances, Equipe Région INSERM 24, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Theodora Duka
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
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26
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Rats display empathic behavior independent of the opportunity for social interaction. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1097-1104. [PMID: 31752014 PMCID: PMC7235244 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0572-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Empathy, the capacity for shared emotional valence with others, can allow for cooperativity and social bonding between individuals. However, clinical studies indicate it is dysregulated in neuropsychiatric disorders like autism and addiction, making a translationally relevant model of empathy extremely important. The evolutionary basis of the empathic behaviors observed across numerous species can be described using the Perception Action Model (PAM), in which shared affect can promote an action that eliminates the distress of both the "Target" and, by extension, the "Observer". Increasing evidence suggests rodents will work to reduce the distress of a conspecific, but current models of helping behavior are unable to completely parse apart whether the reported behavior is driven by empathy or social reward. The current study demonstrates, using a novel behavioral model, rats learn to aid a distressed conspecific in the absence of social reward, retain the task over time, and previous experience increases the rate of task acquisition. Further, our model suggests that empathic behavior is subject to low effort as compared to a social reward. We next validated the specificity of this model to study empathic processes, characterized the importance of both the Target's level of distress and the impact of the Observer's familiarity with the Target on empathic behavior. Overall, we believe this model adheres to the PAM of empathy by eliminating the influence of social interaction. Importantly, it can be used to directly evaluate the neurocircuitry of empathy and explore the interplay between blunted empathic behavior and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Lannoy S, Gilles F, Benzerouk F, Henry A, Oker A, Raucher-Chéné D, Besche-Richard C, Gierski F. Disentangling the role of social cognition processes at early steps of alcohol abuse: The influence of affective theory of mind. Addict Behav 2020; 102:106187. [PMID: 31863967 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use among adolescents has become a pressing challenge among Western societies. Accordingly, one of the current research objectives is to identify the processes associated with this harmful habit. Although numerous studies have underlined the role of executive and motivational processes, few have explored emotional and interpersonal abilities at early steps of alcohol abuse. The present study evaluated the role of two social cognition processes, namely theory of mind (ability to infer others' mental states at cognitive and affective levels) and empathy (ability to understand others' feelings at cognitive and affective levels) in adolescents' alcohol consumption. Two hundred and two adolescents (13-20 years old) performed a behavioral task evaluating theory of mind and filled in questionnaires measuring personal data, empathy, alcohol consumption (alcohol abuse and specific binge drinking), as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms. Findings showed that cognitive and affective empathy were negatively associated with alcohol consumption in youth whereas affective theory of mind was related to specific binge drinking. Importantly, affective theory of mind predicted binge drinking in adolescents, even after controlling for age, gender, and education level. These results emphasized the role of social cognition in early alcohol abuse and showed that, beyond inhibition, interpersonal abilities might precipitate excessive drinking in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Lannoy
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France; Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology (LEP), Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place Cardinal Mercier, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Fanny Gilles
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France
| | - Farid Benzerouk
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM Marne, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims, France.
| | - Audrey Henry
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM Marne, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims, France.
| | - Ali Oker
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France.
| | - Delphine Raucher-Chéné
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM Marne, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims, France.
| | - Chrystel Besche-Richard
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France.
| | - Fabien Gierski
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 57 rue Pierre Taittinger, 51571 Reims, France; Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, EPSM Marne, 8 Rue Roger Aubry, Reims, France; INSERM U1247 GRAP, Research Group on Alcohol and Drugs, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Chemin du Thil, Amiens, France.
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Blair RJ. Modeling the Comorbidity of Cannabis Abuse and Conduct Disorder/Conduct Problems from a Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective. J Dual Diagn 2020; 16:3-21. [PMID: 31608811 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2019.1668099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Objective: A cognitive neuroscience perspective seeks to understand behavior, in this case the comorbidity of cannabis abuse and conduct disorder/conduct problems, in terms of dysfunction in cognitive processes underpinned by neural processes. The goal of this review is to articulate a cognitive neuroscience account of this comorbidity. Methods: Literature on the following issues will be reviewed: (i) the longitudinal relationship between cannabis abuse and conduct disorder/conduct problems (CD/CP); (ii) the extent to which there are genetic and environmental (specifically maltreatment) factors that underpin this relationship; (iii) forms of neurocognitive function that are reported dysfunctional in CD/CP and also, when dysfunctional, appear to be risk factors for future cannabis abuse; and (iv) the extent to which cannabis abuse may further compromise these systems leading to increased future abuse and greater conduct problems. Results: CD/CP typically predate cannabis abuse. There appear to be shared genetic factors that contribute to the relationship between CD/CP and cannabis abuse. Moreover, trauma exposure increases risk for both cannabis abuse and CP/CD. One form of neurocognitive dysfunction, response disinhibition, that likely exacerbates the symptomatology of many individuals with CD also appears to increase the risk for cannabis abuse. The literature with respect to other forms of neurocognitive dysfunction remains inconclusive. Conclusions: Based on the literature, a causal model of the comorbidity of cannabis abuse and CD/CP is developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R James Blair
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
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29
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Winters DE, Wu W, Fukui S. Longitudinal Effects of Cognitive and Affective Empathy on Adolescent Substance Use. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:983-989. [PMID: 32067568 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1717537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: A deficit in either socio-cognitive or socio-affective components of empathy is associated with the severity of substance use by late adolescence. What remains unknown is how longitudinal changes in these components of empathy predict adolescent substance using behavior. Methods: This secondary data analysis used data that followed adolescents in outpatient treatment for substance use (n = 826) during treatment and at 6 months post-treatment. To examine cross-lagged effects of empathy on substance use over time, we used a latent basis growth curve model. Results: Increases in affective empathy predicted reduced substance use over time. However, cognitive empathy did not predict substance use after controlling for other covariates. Conclusions: Lower levels of affective empathy may indicate a developmental vulnerability for substance using behavior. Modifying affective empathy may be a viable treatment target for reducing adolescent substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Indiana University School of Social Work, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sadaaki Fukui
- Indiana University School of Social Work, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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30
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Álvarez-García D, González-Castro P, Núñez JC, Rodríguez C, Cerezo R. Impact of Family and Friends on Antisocial Adolescent Behavior: The Mediating Role of Impulsivity and Empathy. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2071. [PMID: 31551894 PMCID: PMC6746981 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is an especially risky phase for the appearance of antisocial behaviors. Antisocial behavior produces significant individual and social harms, so it is important to provide keys for prevention and treatment. To do that, it is essential to identify the main predictors. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of family (affection and communication, behavioral control) and friends (antisocial friendships) on adolescent antisocial behavior, as well as the mediating role of adolescent impulsivity and empathy on these relationships. Previously validated questionnaires measuring parental affection and communication, and behavioral control, as well as adolescent impulsivity, empathy, antisocial friendships, and antisocial behavior were applied to 3199 adolescents in Asturias (Spain), aged between 11 and 18 (M = 14.03; SD = 1.39). Descriptive, correlational, and structural equation analysis were performed. Antisocial friendships were a risk factor for antisocial behavior in adolescence, with a moderate effect size. The effect is mostly direct, although it is also indirect through the positive relationship with adolescent impulsivity and low empathy. The two analyzed parenting style dimensions (affection and communication, and behavioral control) demonstrate a protective effect, albeit small, on adolescent antisocial behavior. There is a direct protective effect, but it is mostly indirect through the negative relationship with antisocial friendships and low adolescent empathy. Parental behavioral control can be a risk factor for antisocial behavior, through the positive relationship with adolescent impulsivity. This study helps to clarify the causal mechanisms of antisocial behavior in adolescence, as a basis for its prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - José Carlos Núñez
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Universidad Politécnica y Artística del Paraguay, Asunción, Paraguay
| | | | - Rebeca Cerezo
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review deficits in emotional processing and social cognition potentially contributing to the dysfunctional emotion regulation and difficulties with interpersonal relationships observed in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and to provide directions for future research. METHOD First is presented a review of emotional and social-cognitive impairments in recently detoxified AUD individuals that include alexithymia, difficulties in decoding others' emotions, and reduced theory of mind and empathy skills. Social cognition disorders in AUD pose different issues discussed, such as whether (1) these deficits are consequences of excessive alcohol consumption or premorbid risk factors for addiction, (2) emotional and social impairments impede positive treatment outcome, (3) recovery of social abilities is possible with sustained abstinence, and (4) AUD patients are unaware of their emotional and social dysfunctions. Finally, current knowledge on structural and functional brain correlates of these deficits in AUD are reviewed. RESULTS Emotional and social-cognitive functions affected in AUD can potentially compromise efforts to initiate and maintain abstinence by hampering efficacy of clinical treatment. Such dysfunction can obstruct efforts to enable or reinstate higher-order abilities such as emotional self-regulation, motivation to change, success in interpersonal/social interactions, and emotional insight and awareness of social dysfunctions (i.e., accurate metacognition). CONCLUSIONS The present review highlights the need to account for emotional processing and social cognition in the evaluation and rehabilitation of alcohol-related neurocognitive disorders and to consider psychotherapeutic treatment involving remediation of emotional and social skills as implemented in psychiatric and neurological disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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32
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Laghi F, Bianchi D, Pompili S, Lonigro A, Baiocco R. Heavy episodic drinking in late adolescents: The role of theory of mind and conformity drinking motives. Addict Behav 2019; 96:18-25. [PMID: 31026674 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heavy episodic drinking (HED) implies severe consequences for health, both in the short and long term. Peer conformity has shown contradictory relationships with HED, suggesting the presence of a complex interaction between social and individual factors. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the moderation role of conformity in the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and HED. METHOD Participants were 170 Italian adolescents (Mage = 18.71, SDage = 0.77) recruited in public high schools. Self-report measures were administered for evaluating drunkenness and HED. The Drinking Motives Questionnaire was used to assess three drinking motives, namely coping with negative emotions, enhancement of positive feelings, and the need for peer conformity, whereas the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was adopted to test advanced theory of mind skills. ANOVAs, MANOVAs and regression moderation analyses were performed. RESULTS Drunkenness, HED and drinking motives did not vary with gender. Only social motives were higher in boys (vs. girls). HED was positively related to drunkenness and to social, coping and enhancement motives. However, only enhancement significantly predicted HED. Finally, conformity moderated the relationship between ToM and HED. In the presence of high conformity, adolescents with impaired ToM reported significantly more HED than adolescents with high ToM. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of conformity needs, social cognition impairment appeared to be a risk factor for HED, whereas good socio-cognitive skills were protective. Implications for research, clinical assessment and prevention are discussed.
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33
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Laghi F, Bianchi D, Pompili S, Lonigro A, Baiocco R. Cognitive and affective empathy in binge drinking adolescents: Does empathy moderate the effect of self-efficacy in resisting peer pressure to drink? Addict Behav 2019; 89:229-235. [PMID: 30336444 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Binge drinking during adolescence is influenced by peer pressure and group norms as risk factors. Conversely, drinking refusal self-efficacy is a protective factor. Thus, adolescents with impaired social skills could be more vulnerable to binge drinking. However, there is still little research on impaired social abilities, such as low empathy, in adolescent binge drinkers. This study aimed to investigate the moderating roles of empathic concerns and perspective-taking in the relationship between self-efficacy in resisting peer pressure to drink (SRPPD) and binge drinking. Participants were 188 Italian adolescents (Mage = 16.93, SDage = 0.76; age-range: 15-19). Self-report instruments were administered. Binge drinking was evaluated with an open response item according to the clinical definition of symptoms; SRPPD was assessed with an item from the Perceived Self-Efficacy scale; empathic concerns and perspective-taking were measured with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index scale. A moderation regression analysis was run. Results showed that binge drinking is positively predicted by age, and negatively predicted by SRPPD and empathic concerns. Only perspective-taking proved to be a moderator in the relationship between SRPPD and binge drinking. In the presence of low perspective-taking, adolescents with low SRPPD reported more binge drinking than adolescents with high SRPPD. Conversely, for adolescents with high levels of perspective-taking, low SRPPD did not predict binge drinking. Our results shed light on patterns of cognitive and affective empathy in binge drinking adolescents, providing relevant implications for research and prevention for at-risk teenagers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenzo Laghi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
| | - Dora Bianchi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Pompili
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Lonigro
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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34
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Kroll SL, Nikolic E, Bieri F, Soyka M, Baumgartner MR, Quednow BB. Cognitive and socio-cognitive functioning of chronic non-medical prescription opioid users. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:3451-3464. [PMID: 30310961 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) has become a major public health issue in the USA and is also increasing in Europe. However, little is known about neuropsychological associations of NMPOU-specifically regarding social cognition, which is essential for social functioning and treatability of opioid dependence. Previous studies with heroin users and opioid-substituted patients reported deficits in various cognitive functions, but these results are likely confounded by comorbid physical and psychiatric diseases, overdose-associated hypoxia, and adulteration of street heroin. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate social and non-social cognition in a relatively pure NMPOU sample taking opioid analgesics or antitussives. METHODS We assessed 23 individuals with NMPOU objectively confirmed by hair analyses and 29 opioid-naïve, healthy controls, employing a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS Significant impairments were found between NMPOU individuals and controls regarding the cognitive domains of attention (p < .01, Hedge's g = .85), declarative memory (p < .05, g = .66), and global cognitive empathy (p < .01, g = 0.99)-the latter included problems with emotion recognition from faces, voices, and complex scenes. Opioid hair concentrations transformed to morphine equivalents were negatively correlated with global cognitive empathy (r = - 0.52, p < .01), suggesting dose-dependent deficits. CONCLUSION In contrast to stimulant users primarily displaying deficits in emotional empathy, opioid users showed relatively selective impairments in measures of cognitive empathy, with dose-dependent effects suggesting potential opioid-induced deficits and involvement of the opioid-system in processes of cognitive empathy. These results have important implications for future interventions of opioid dependence targeting social functioning and consequently enhancing therapy outcome and preventing relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Kroll
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, PO Box 1931, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Emilija Nikolic
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, PO Box 1931, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Bieri
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, PO Box 1931, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Soyka
- Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Munich, Nussbaumstrasse 7, 80336, Munich, Germany.,Medical Park Chiemseeblick, Rasthaustrasse 25, 83233, Bernau am Chiemsee, Germany
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analysis, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Kurvenstrasse 17, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, PO Box 1931, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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35
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Robinson CSH, Fokas K, Witkiewitz K. Relationship between empathic processing and drinking behavior in project MATCH. Addict Behav 2018; 77:180-186. [PMID: 29054077 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Family relationships, social connectedness and a greater network of supportive others each predict better drinking outcomes among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The association between social factors and drinking may be related to the ability of individuals to take the perspectives of others' mental and emotional states, defined as empathic processing (EP). As such, it may be the case that EP is associated with social support (SS) and drinking behavior among individuals with AUD, yet few prior studies have attempted to define EP in an AUD sample. METHODS The current study was a secondary data analysis of Project MATCH (N=1726) using structural equation modeling to model EP as a latent factor. The study also sought to test the baseline associations between EP, SS, and drinking behavior, as well as sex differences in the associations between EP, SS, and drinking. It was hypothesized that EP would be positively associated with SS and negatively associated with drinking behavior. RESULTS Results suggested adequate model fit of the EP construct. Structural equation models indicated significant associations between EP, SS, and both drinking consequences and percent drinking days, but only for males. Males reported significantly lower EP and SS from friends, but more SS from family, compared to females. EP was not related to drinking among females. CONCLUSIONS The current study validated a model of EP in a treatment-seeking sample of individuals with alcohol use disorder. Future work may consider EP as a treatment-modifiable risk factor for drinking frequency and consequences in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S H Robinson
- University of New Mexico, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, United States.
| | - Kathryn Fokas
- University of New Mexico, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, United States
| | - Katie Witkiewitz
- University of New Mexico, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, United States
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Rupp CI, Derntl B, Osthaus F, Kemmler G, Fleischhacker WW. Impact of Social Cognition on Alcohol Dependence Treatment Outcome: Poorer Facial Emotion Recognition Predicts Relapse/Dropout. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:2197-2206. [DOI: 10.1111/acer.13522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia I. Rupp
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics; Division of Psychiatry I; Medical University Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Medical University Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
- Werner Reichardt Center for Integrative Neuroscience; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
- LEAD Graduate School; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
| | - Friederike Osthaus
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics; Division of Psychiatry I; Medical University Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - Georg Kemmler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics; Division of Psychiatry I; Medical University Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - W. Wolfgang Fleischhacker
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics; Division of Psychiatry I; Medical University Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
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Jiao C, Wang T, Peng X, Cui F. Impaired Empathy Processing in Individuals with Internet Addiction Disorder: An Event-Related Potential Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:498. [PMID: 29085290 PMCID: PMC5649199 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is associated with deficits in social communication and avoidance of social contact. It has been hypothesized that people with IAD may have an impaired capacity for empathy. The purpose of the current study was to examine the processing of empathy for others' pain in IADs. Event-related potentials produced in response to pictures showing others in painful and non-painful situations were recorded in 16 IAD subjects and 16 healthy controls (HCs). The N1, P2, N2, P3, and late positive potential components were compared between the two groups. Robust picture × group interactions were observed for N2 and P3. The painful pictures elicited larger N2 and P3 amplitudes than the non-painful pictures did only in the HC group but not in the IAD group. The results of this study suggest that both of the early automatic and of the later cognitive processes of pain empathy may be impaired in IADs. This study provides psychophysical evidence of empathy deficits in association with IAD. Further studies combining multidimensional measurements of empathy are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Jiao
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ting Wang
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaozhe Peng
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fang Cui
- College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Massey SH, Decety J, Wisner KL, Wakschlag LS. Specification of Change Mechanisms in Pregnant Smokers for Malleable Target Identification: A Novel Approach to a Tenacious Public Health Problem. Front Public Health 2017; 5:239. [PMID: 28975128 PMCID: PMC5610685 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) continues to be a leading modifiable risk factor for perinatal complications and a range of neurodevelopmental and cardio-metabolic outcomes across the lifespan. Despite 40 years of intervention research less than one in five pregnant smokers who receive an intervention quit by delivery. Within this context, recognition of pregnancy is commonly associated with abrupt suspension or reduction of smoking in the absence of intervention, yet has not been investigated as a volitional target. The goal of this article is to provide the empirical foundation for a novel direction of research aimed at identifying malleable targets for intervention through the specification of behavior change mechanisms specific to pregnant women. To do so, we: (1) summarize progress on MSDP in the United States generated from conventional empirical approaches to health behavior change; (2) discuss the phenomenon of spontaneous change in the absence of intervention among pregnant smokers to illustrate the need for mechanistic specification of behavior change motivated by concern for fetal well-being; (3) summarize component processes in neurobiological models of parental and non-parental social behaviors as a conceptual framework for understanding change mechanisms during pregnancy; (4) discuss the evidence for the malleability of these processes to support their translational relevance for preventive interventions; and (5) propose a roadmap for validating the proposed change mechanism using an experimental medicine approach. A greater understanding of social and interpersonal processes that facilitate health behavior change among expectant mothers and how these processes differ interindividually could yield novel volitional targets for prenatal interventions. More broadly, explicating other-oriented mechanisms of behavior change during pregnancy could serve as a paradigm for understanding how social and interpersonal processes positively influence health behaviors across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suena H. Massey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Jean Decety
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Katherine L. Wisner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lauren S. Wakschlag
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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