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Background: In recent years, with the rapid development of technology, research on behavioral addiction concepts such as digital gaming disorders and problematic internet use has increased. As anime-watching has become widespread worldwide, it is thought that this behavior may be one of the areas of problematic technology use, especially in adolescence. However, studies evaluating problematic anime-watching behaviors within the framework of behavioral addictions are quite limited in the literature. In this study, problematic anime-watching behaviors, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and possible psychosocial factors were evaluated in 86 anime watchers aged between 12 and 18 years. Problematic anime-watching behaviors were evaluated according to the diagnostic criteria of other defined disorders related to addictive behaviors in ICD-11. A semi-structured interview tool was used to assess psychiatric comorbidities, and the IGDS9-SF adapted form for anime-watching, the Self-Efficacy Scale for Children, KIDCOPE, and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents were used to collect other data. Results: It was determined that 36.8% of the 86 adolescents in our study had problematic anime-watching behavior. Compared to other adolescents, the problematic anime-watching group had significantly lower self-efficacy scores and significantly higher social anxiety and avoidant coping scores. A significant relationship was found between social anxiety disorder and watching problematic anime. Conclusions: The present study showed that problematic watching of anime may be a variant of behavioral addiction. In conclusion, the relationship between problematic anime-watching behaviors and mental health warrants further examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhinitis medicomentosa (RM) is a form of non-allergic rhinitis caused by the use of nasal decongestants for longer than the recommended duration. Because of this problem of use, addiction to the drug occurs in individuals. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of RM patients to substance addiction. Methods: The study was planned as a prospective, multicentric study between September 2022 and September 2023. Patients diagnosed with RM were included in the study. Beck depression scale, Drug use disorders identification test, Substance Abuse Proclivity Scale were applied to the patients participating in the study. The research data were analyzed electronically with SPSS program version 25. Results: The study included 86 patients with an average age of 31 years. The average duration of medication use was 22 months. Age, gender, duration of nasal congestion, duration of drug use and smoking were not independent predictors for depression and substance use tendency. Conclusion: The relationship between RM and addictive substances is not clear. The tendency to use drugs did not increase in RM patients. In the light of these data, we think that there is no need for a practice other than routine functioning in the use of drugs and similar substances that are likely to cause addiction in RM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attentional bias toward addiction-related stimuli has been implicated in the development and maintenance of addiction disorders. Several previous studies have reported an attentional bias toward pornographic cues in individuals with problematic pornography use (PPU). Since attentional bias can occur without conscious awareness, the purpose of this study was to use electroencephalography to examine whether individuals with a high tendency for PPU exhibit attentional bias at the level of the preconscious processing. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded while male participants with high (n = 24) and low (n = 23) levels of subclinical PPU performed a masked version of the dot-probe task measuring attentional bias toward subliminally presented pornographic stimuli. Behavioral data revealed that participants from both groups with high and low tendencies for PPU reacted faster to probes replacing pornographic images than to probes replacing neutral images. ERPs revealed that individuals with a high tendency for PPU exhibited larger probe-locked P1 amplitudes following masked pornographic images (valid condition) compared with masked neutral images (invalid condition). Additionally, PPU symptom severity correlated positively with the P1 amplitude difference between valid and invalid conditions. These results highlight the automaticity of attentional capture by pornographic stimuli and support the hypothesis of an addiction-related attentional bias during preconscious processes. The implication of these findings for understanding the clinical phenomenon of out-of-control addictive behavior are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pornography viewers often report being addicted to pornography even if their behavior does not indicate such addiction. In this study with 1099 participants (52% male), we explored how the specific belief in being addicted to pornography could predict both individual and relational outcomes beyond actual pornography use and reported compulsive pornography use (i.e., considering one's use to be out of control). Using a structural equation model, our results showed that higher agreement with the pornography addiction label, without accounting for compulsivity, was associated with higher depression, suicide ideation, communication discomfort about pornography, and higher odds of having a relationship end solely because of pornography. After accounting for compulsivity, higher agreement with the pornography addiction label was only associated with higher communication discomfort about pornography and higher odds of having a relationship end solely because of pornography. This study highlights that identifying as addicted to pornography may include a stigma that is particularly detrimental to relationship outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-transcendence and the associated decrease in ego-centeredness are understood to foster altruistic and positive behaviors that promote prosociality and pro-environmental actions. However, the lack of an agreed valid and reliable measure of self-transcendence has posed difficulties in examining this subject. The main aim of this study was to use the recently developed Ontological Addiction Scale (OAS), which assesses dysfunctional ego-centeredness as an inhibiter of self-transcendent change, as a proxy measure to examine whether self-transcendence is indeed related to such "selfless" prosocial and pro-nature behaviors. Secondary aims were to examine ontological addiction (OA) and these behaviors in relation to competitiveness and ego-driven manifestations of prosociality. These relationships were examined via self-report measures in a cross-sectional cohort study of 287 UK adult participants. Findings revealed associations with competitiveness that broadly reflect its association with ego-centeredness through significant correlations with OA, and significant negative correlations with both prosociality and pro-nature behavior. They also supported earlier findings of a significant relationship between OA and measures of anxiety and depression. However, the expected negative correlations between OA and both prosociality and pro-nature behavior were not evidenced, which raises questions regarding the notion of OA as a conceptual antithesis of self-transcendence and/or whether measures of pro-sociality and pro-nature behavior adequately account for "selfish" or "impure" motivations that may underly these behaviors. Implications and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS; Andreassen et al., 2015) is a theory driven self-rating questionnaire for assessing shopping addiction. The current study employed Confirmatory Factor Analysis to examine its factor structure, and its longitudinal measurement invariance among adult participants (N = 276) aged 18 to 62 years (mean = 31.86 years; SD = 9.94 years) over a two-year period, with assessments conducted at three time points. Overall, there was support for full measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and error variance invariance). Additionally, there was support for temporal stability and equivalency for the BSAS total mean scores across the three time points. The psychometric and practical implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic induced psychological distress, which is linked to emotional eating and symptoms of addiction to ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether symptoms of addiction to UPFs mediate the relationship between psychological stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and emotional eating behaviour. Methods: A cross-sectional online study was conducted from May to November 2021 among 368 undergraduate Brazilian students. The participants answered demographic questions and completed validated scales, including the Coronavirus Stress Measure, Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and Emotional Eating Questionnaire. Mediation analysis was employed to examine the hypothesised relationships. Results: The results revealed a significant indirect effect, indicating that symptoms of food addiction mediated the association between perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and emotional eating behaviour. Specifically, 61% of the influence of perceived stress on emotional eating during the pandemic was explained by symptoms of UPF addiction. Conclusion: These findings suggest that addressing symptoms of UPF addiction could be pivotal in public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among distressed undergraduate students in the post-COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) often grapple with significant non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), linked to interpersonal challenges, insecure attachment, and internet addiction. This study explores these relationships in children and adolescents using network analysis, drawing data from seven hospitals in China. Results: The study included 162 youths with depressive disorder and 102 healthy controls from seven hospitals. The MDD + NSSI group exhibited severe internet addiction, heightened depressive symptoms, and insecure attachment. Network analysis identified central symptoms (compulsive use) and key bridge symptoms (tolerance symptoms) in the networks related to depressive symptoms, internet addiction, and attachments. These findings suggest potential targets for intervention among children and adolescents at risk for or suffering from depression. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between NSSI, attachment issues, and internet addiction in Chinese adolescents with MDD. The network analysis pinpointed central and key bridge symptoms, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions in children and adolescents at risk for or experiencing depression and associated challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The internet is widespread in modern society and has raised concerns about excessive usage and its consequences for different aging groups. Objective: This study explores the relationships between internet addiction, sleep patterns, and psychological distress in adolescents and young adults. Materials and methods: In order to assess this phenomenon, an exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Brazil from October to December 2023. A questionnaire, administered via Google Forms, collected data from 618 participants aged 15–36. The participants consisted of a non-probabilistic community sample selected based on convenience criteria. Instruments included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and Social Media Engagement Questionnaire. Results: It was categorized 48.1% as having moderate internet addiction, and classified 0.8% as having severe internet addiction. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress. Logistic regression identified internet addiction and overall psychological distress as predictors of sleep difficulties, along with unemployment status. The findings highlight the detrimental impact of excessive internet use on sleep quality and mental health. The bidirectional relationship between internet addiction and psychological distress underscores the complex interplay between these variables. Conclusions: This study underscores the urgent need for interventions targeting internet addiction and its associated consequences in adolescents and young adults. Addressing internet addiction levels and promoting healthy internet usage habits are crucial steps in mitigating the adverse effects on mental health and sleep quality. There is a need for targeted interventions, protocols, and preventive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive internet use on mental health and sleep quality. Public health strategies should include IA and its consequences in health programs with multidisciplinary approaches and protocols for treatments for behavioral addictions. The study emphasizes the multifaceted nature of internet addiction and its implications for mental health and sleep patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Playing video games is associated with cognitive changes and possibly psychosocial difficulties. Problematic gaming occurs upon the loss of control over videogame playing; gaming disorder is considered a behavioral addiction in the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases. Models used to understand behavioral addictions include cognition as an essential factor in the development, maintenance, and relapse of addiction. Nevertheless, some aspects of cognition, such as social cognition, remain underexplored, despite evidence of alterations in cognitive and social function among patients with problematic gaming. This review aimed to describe the current understanding of social cognition in individuals exposed to videogames. We included all studies assessing social cognition in participants of any age with a wide range of exposure to video games (from simple use of video games (such as at least two exposures) to problematic gaming, defined according to the included study). This wide range of exposure allowed us to explore the whole process from repeated exposure to addiction. We included only studies that used neuropsychological tasks to assess social cognition. Patient-reported outcomes that could be biased by subjective self-report data were not included. The search was conducted from inception to January 2022 in three databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science). The systematic search identified 39 studies that assessed facial emotion processing, empathy, theory of mind, social decision-making, aggressive behavior, and moral competence. In general, results have been mixed, and a number of questions remain unanswered. Nevertheless, several studies showed cerebral changes when processing facial emotion that were linked with problematic gaming, while no link was obtained between nonproblematic gaming and empathy alterations. The influences of cooperation patterns, theory of mind, moral competence, and gaming frequency were highlighted. Finally, there was substantial heterogeneity in the population assessed and the methods used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kratom/ketum is a psychoactive herbal preparation that has been used for a long time as a remedy and performance-enhancing substance in Southeast Asia. The advancement of globalization is making kratom increasingly more available in the western world, where it is becoming increasingly more used. Objective: The current research on kratom and its ingredients is presented. Material and methods: An overview of the use and effects of kratom is exemplary given on the basis of reports. The instrumentalization of the drug and its consequences up to the development of addiction are discussed. Results: Consumption is accompanied by several instrumentalizeable effects so that kratom is used as a therapeutic substance in the self-management of pain, anxiety and depression as well as other substance addictions. Another benefit comes from the performance-enhancing effects on physical work and in a social context. Consumption is usually well controlled, rarely escalates and has few and mostly mild aversive side effects. The danger arises from consumption particularly when there is an escalation of the dose and from mixed consumption with other psychoactive substances. The main alkaloid mitragynine and the more potent 7‑hydroxy-mitragynine are considered mainly responsible for the effect. Both have a complex pharmacology that involves partial µ‑opioid receptor agonism. Discussion: Epidemiological, clinical and neurochemical studies have shown that kratom only has a limited addictive drug profile, which might suggest a medical use as a remedy or substitute in addiction treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Theories of addiction guide scientific progress, funding priorities, and policy development and ultimately shape how people experiencing or recovering from addiction are perceived and treated. Choice theories of addiction are heterogenous, and different models have divergent implications. This breeds confusion among laypeople, scientists, practitioners, and policymakers and reduces the utility of robust findings that have the potential to reduce the global burden of addiction-associated harms. Objective: Here we differentiate classes of choice models and articulate a novel framing for a class of addiction models, called contextual models, which share as a first principle the influence of the environment and other contextual factors on behavior within discrete choice contexts. Results: These models do not assume that all choice behaviors are voluntary, but instead that both proximal and distal characteristics of the choice environment–and particularly the benefits and costs of both drug use and non-drug alternatives–can influence behavior in ways that are outside of the awareness of the individual. From this perspective, addiction is neither the individual's moral failing nor an internal uncontrollable urge but rather is the result of environmental contingencies that reinforce the behavior. Conclusions: Contextual models have implications for guiding research, practice, and policy, including identification of novel target mechanisms while also improving existing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals whose basic needs are naturally satisfied are much less dependent on their environment and more autonomous. Basic psychological needs (i.e., the general motivators of human actions) are significant predictors of online gaming addiction. Moreover, it has been posited that meaning and responsibility in life are at the center of life from an existential point of view. Therefore, a hypothetical model was tested to examine the relationships between basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness), online gaming addiction, responsibility, and meaning in life. Data were collected from a sample of 546 participants. Mediation analysis was conducted, and the results indicated that basic psychological needs, online gaming addiction, responsibility, and meaning in life had significant negative and positive relationships. The findings indicated that responsibility and meaning in life had a serial mediating effect in the relationship between basic psychological needs and online gaming addiction. The findings also showed that the inverse relationship between online gaming addiction and basic psychological needs was at least partially explained by meaning in life and responsibility. The results of the present study are of great importance and suggest that interventions to satisfy the basic psychological needs of adolescents may help prevent online gaming addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialized addiction services (SAS) are typically designed for people with a transient substance use disorder (SUD). However, some people who use these services have a persistent SUD. Apart from the need to offer continuity in services over time, there is little scientific data on the resources to deploy to better meet the needs of this population. Using a modified Delphi method, a consensus-building process was conducted with managers and clinicians from seven SAS centres in Quebec. The three phases of the process led to the identification of 93 service development proposals that were agreed upon by participants. These proposals were organized along three axes (duration, acuity, complexity) and four clinical principles. The resulting model can be used as a basis for further reflection on the development of services for people with a persistent SUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children are more likely to become addicted as they become accustomed to using smartphones, and as they observe and imitate their parents using smartphones. This study aims to confirm longitudinally the effect of mother's smartphone addiction on children's smartphone addiction. Latent growth modeling was used to analyze longitudinal relationships between 3615 pairs of children and their mothers from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) (2018–2020). As a result, both the mothers and children's smartphone addiction significantly increased over time. The initial value of the mother's smartphone addiction was found to have a significant effect on the child's initial value and the change rate. Moreover, children's smartphone addiction change rate was significantly affected by the change rate of the mother's smartphone addiction. To intervene in children's smartphone addiction, a family-level approach, as well as parental addiction, must also be addressed, and a preventive approach should focus on those with a low risk of addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study is to explore factors associated with quality of parenting among women in treatment for opioid use disorders. 150 Black American women with 3–5 year old children were recruited through methadone treatment programs. Parenting representations were assessed through the Working Model of the Child Interview and parenting behavior through video recordings of mother–child interaction. Interviews were used to assess mothers' history of violence exposure and to make DSM diagnoses. Mothers' mood disorder was related to distorted representations and to expressions of concerned affect (anxiety, fear, guilt). Mothers' personality disorder was related to expressions of negative affect (anger and frustration) and inversely related to sensitive parenting behavior. Mothers' experience of family violence during childhood and partner violence during adulthood were related to concerned affect in their representations. Women in treatment for substance use disorder have complex and interconnected needs, including parenting supports and trauma-informed mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Overuse of analgesics can lead to medication-overuse headache (MOH) in chronic migraine (CM) patients, and is often linked to addiction. This study explores the addiction-related characteristics and somatic amplification in patients with, CM with medication overuse headache (CM+MOH), CM, and healthy controls. Methods: 73 CM patients and 70 CM+MOH, along with 63 healthy controls, participated in the study. Assessments included a Sociodemographic Form, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), Addiction Profile Index (API), Addiction Profile Index-Clinical Version (API-C), and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). Results: Substance use characteristics, craving, motivation for use, and addiction severity scores were higher in the CM+MOH group than in both the CM and the control group. Specifically, the SSAS scores within the CM+MOH group surpassed those of both the CM and control groups. In the CM+MOH group, SSAS scores were a strong predictor of the amount of analgesic usage. Besides, craving and motivation for substance use scores significantly predicted the number of days analgesic taken per month in the CM+MOH group Conclusion: CM patients with MOH exhibit a pronounced association with addiction, and a heightened manifestation of somatic symptoms. Addressing addiction characteristics and psychosomatic amplification is important to ensure comprehensive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of synthetic cannabinoids (SC) has become a concerning public health issue due to their potential adverse effects on both physical and mental health. Understanding the effect of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids use on kidney functions and creatinine phosphokinase-total (CPK) levels is essential for targeted intervention and patient care. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess addiction severity using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and kidney functions in 45 patients with SC use disorder and compare them to 45 patients with cannabis use disorder (CUD). Participants were recruited from the addiction outpatient clinics and inpatient ward of the addiction psychiatry unit at "Kasr Al Aini Hospital," Cairo University. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the Addiction Severity Index domains, where patients with SC use disorder had higher scores in all domains of the ASI. Regarding kidney functions and CPK-total levels, there was a significant difference in the serum CPK-total level (p < 0.05) between the 2 groups; however, there was no significant difference regarding the other kidney function tests (serum creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen, and estimated glomerular filtration rate). As for the correlative analysis, there was a significant correlation between some domains of the ASI and the kidney function tests in both patient groups. Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that SC may have a more hazardous and detrimental impact on individuals, encompassing various aspects of addiction severity such as physical health, psychological well-being, social functioning, and overall quality of life. Our findings also highlight the potential risk of elevated CPK-total levels in patients with SC use disorder; therefore, regular monitoring of kidney function in patients with synthetic cannabinoid use disorder is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment interventions and mitigating adverse health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the indirect effects of active procrastination and mobile phone addiction on the relationship between academic workload and bedtime procrastination. A total of 474 Chinese undergraduates were recruited to complete assessments on academic workload, active procrastination, mobile phone addiction, and bedtime procrastination. The results revealed that academic workload not only directly impacts bedtime procrastination but also has an indirect influence through the mediating factors of active procrastination and mobile phone addiction. The sheer volume of work crowds out students' time, destroying the procrastinator's time structure centered around leisure and diminishing the enjoyment of tasks. Additionally, the stress of work also makes it easier for students to become addicted to mobile phones, leading them to use their sleep time to compensate for the time lost due to their workload. These findings shed light on the interaction between mobile phone addiction and the daily lives of college undergraduates, as well as how they mutually influence each other. The study underscores the importance of schools in alleviating the academic burden placed on students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although low self-control is regarded as an important influence factor of college student smartphone addiction, the mediating mechanism is still unclear. Based on the I–PACE model, the present study aims to explore the multiple mediating roles of social anxiety and procrastination in the effect of self-control on smartphone addiction among college students, as well as the gender differences, using a semi-longitudinal design. Our sample consisted of 1143 Chinese college students (36.4% males; Mage=21.91 years, SD = 1.02 years, range from 19 to 28 years) who completed the Brief Self-control Scale, the Interaction Anxiousness Scale, the Pure Pocrastination Scale, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze correlations among variables and Mplus 8.0 was used to test the structural equation model and gender differences. The results indicated that self-control was negatively associated with smartphone addiction. Social anxiety and procrastination sequentially mediated the link between self-control and smartphone addiction. Furthermore, although the proposed mediation model did not show significant gender differences, we found different associations between self-control, procrastination and smartphone addiction between males and females. The results of this study may contribute to intervention and prevention programs to reduce smartphone addiction among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has demonstrated the connection between problematic mobile phone use and alexithymia. However, few study directly compared the pattern of alexithymia's linkage to smartphone addiction across age groups. The present network analysis study illustrated, in a neurotypical sample of 510 children (aged 8–12 years) and 1107 adults (aged 18–54 years), the exact pattern of how alexithymia is associated with smartphone addiction on a symptom-level. In a subgroup of 364 adults, the role of autistic traits was also explored. The network analysis revealed patterns connecting alexithymia with more severe smartphone addiction in both children and adults, with the node "smartphone addiction-withdrawal" having the highest strength centrality. Based on the network comparison test, global strength was significantly stronger among adults. In the adult sample, even after controlling for symptoms of depression and anxiety, alexithymia was still positively related to smartphone addiction. Autistic traits also exhibited significant positive correlations with smartphone addiction. This study adds further evidence on the link between alexithymia and smartphone addiction across age groups. Considering the popularity of digital interventions for individuals with mental health problems, we point to a potential risk of being addicted to smartphones posed by having alexithymia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smartphone addiction is a growing concern, especially among adolescents, due to its negative impact on health. This study examines how leisure physical activity influence this relationship. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction and adolescent health, examining the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating effect of leisure physical activity. Methods: A survey of 1271 Chinese university students was conducted using the PAPS Health and Fitness Scale, Smartphone Addiction Scale, and Leisure Time Exercise Scale. Results: Smartphone addiction negatively affects adolescent health. Loneliness mediates this relationship, while leisure physical activity moderates it. High levels of physical activity reduce the negative impact of loneliness on health (bsimple = −0.49, P < 0.001), whereas low levels enhance this impact (bsimple = −0.21, P < 0.001). Conclusion: These research have practical implications for preventing and reducing smartphone addiction and offer a theoretical foundation for promoting healthier lifestyles among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphone addiction, loneliness, and depression are the norm in life, and previous studies indicate that they are closely related to each other. However, many studies have reached inconsistent conclusions and the potential mechanisms remain controversial. Therefore, based on the deficient self-regulation model, this paper aimed to examine the relationships between loneliness and smartphone addiction, including depression as a possible mediator, by testing 4274 students in China and performing a two-wave cross-lagged analysis. The results showed that: loneliness (T1) could significantly and positively predict depression and smartphone addiction (T2); depression (T1) could significantly and positively predict loneliness and smartphone addiction (T2); similarly, smartphone addiction (T1) could significantly and positively predict loneliness and depression (T2); depression (T1) mediated the relationship between loneliness (T1) and smartphone addiction (T2). The findings show the significance of promoting college students' mental health and preventing smartphone addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapid growth in college students who spend more time on smartphones, study examining the relationship between college experience and smartphone use has been limited. This longitudinal study furthered this line of research by examining the relationship between college adjustment and problematic smartphone use from a comprehensive and pluralist approach. Our results found: First, there existed a bidirectional relationship between college adjustment and problematic smartphone use, and the pattern of bidirectional relationship between college adjustment and problematic smartphone use showed variances as a function of temporal lags. Furthermore, general anxiety mediates the relationship between college adjustment and problematic smartphone use. Last, existential meaninglessness moderates the indirect effect of general anxiety on the the relationship between college adjustment and problematic smartphone use, such that the relationship is stronger, when existential meaninglessness is high. Our findings provides a deep understanding of how college adjustment relates to problematic smartphone use, and theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to identify the possibility of developing a risk of addiction to social networks and to know the satisfaction of basic psychological needs depending on network usage time, the number of networks used, and the practice hours and type of sport developed. A sample of 265 university students (Mage = 28.23; SD = 8.44; 110 men and 155 women) completed distinct self-report measures. Results revealed significant differences in the addiction-symptoms, social-use and geek-traits, being higher when the time of network consumption increases and when the number of networks used is bigger. Regarding the sports variables, collective sports are significantly associated with the risk of addiction symptoms. However, the practice of collective sports seems to satisfy basic psychological needs. In conclusion, the higher use and number of social networks seem to predict the risk of addiction to them. Single sports practice decreases the probability of network addiction and, collective and single sports help satisfy basic psychological needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to investigate whether and how interpersonal uncertainty results in mobile phone addiction. Sampling 997 Chinese college students, we found that interpersonal uncertainty had positive predictive power for mobile phone addiction, and social and emotional loneliness mediated the link between interpersonal uncertainty and mobile phone addiction. Additionally, optimism moderated the direct effect of interpersonal uncertainty on mobile phone addiction and the first-stage mediating effect of interpersonal uncertainty on mobile phone addiction through social and emotional loneliness; that is, the higher the level of optimism among college students, the weaker the (in)direct effect of interpersonal uncertainty on mobile phone addiction. Our research findings reveal the role and mechanisms of interpersonal uncertainty in mobile phone addiction and shed light on the importance of reducing interpersonal uncertainty and fostering positive traits to effectively prevent and intervene in mobile phone addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the hypothesis that positive expectancies (i.e., the belief that gaming will be rewarding) and avoidance expectancies (i.e., the belief that gaming will relieve stress) would mediate the impact of peer social influence on problematic internet gaming behavior. Internet game players (n = 120) accessed the link to the study through the psychology department research pool website as well as through Reddit gaming threads. After providing informed consent and demographic information, participants completed the remaining measures in a randomized order. Social influence was measured using the Peer Influence for Internet Gaming Addiction (IGA) scale which assessed approval of gaming, perceived frequency of gaming, and invitations to play. The Game-Use Expectancies scale assessed positive and avoidance expectancies of online gaming. Problematic internet gaming behavior was assessed using the Internet Gaming Disorder Test-20 (IGDT). Participants played internet games at least once per week and had an average IGDT score of 43.1 (SD = 10.42; Median = 44) with scores ranging from 21 to 68. None of our participants met criteria for IGD. Mediation was tested using Hayes (2022) PROCESS Macro model 4. Stronger peer influence and stronger expectations of relief (i.e., avoidance expectancies) were associated with higher IGDT scores. Moreover, stronger peer influence was associated with more positive outcome expectancies. Neither positive nor avoidance expectancies mediated the association between peer influence and IGDT score. Our results indicate that avoidance, as opposed to positive, expectancies are important predictors of problematic internet gaming behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing use of mobiles phones (MP) and other wireless devices (WD) has raised concerns about their possible effects on children and adolescents' wellbeing. Understanding whether these technologies affect children and adolescents' mental health in positive or detrimental ways has become more urgent following further increase in use since the COVID-19 outbreak. To review the empirical evidence on associations between use of MP/WD and mental health in children and adolescents. A systematic review of literature was carried out on Medline, Embase and PsycINFO for studies published prior to July 15th 2019, PROSPERO ID: CRD42019146750. 25 observational studies published between January 1st 2011 and 2019 were reviewed (ten were cohort studies, 15 were cross-sectional). Overall estimated participant mean age and proportion female were 14.6 years and 47%, respectively. Substantial between-study heterogeneity in design and measurement of MP/WD usage and mental health outcomes limited our ability to infer general conclusions. Observed effects differed depending on time and type of MP/WD usage. We found suggestive but limited evidence that greater use of MP/WD may be associated with poorer mental health in children and adolescents. Risk of bias was rated as 'high' for 16 studies, 'moderate' for five studies and 'low' for four studies. More high-quality longitudinal studies and mechanistic research are needed to clarify the role of sleep and of type of MP/WD use (e.g. social media) on mental health trajectories in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to neurocognitive models of addiction, a vicious combination of altered executive functions (EF) and dysfunctional reward system represent a main determinant of clinical picture. We then report first evidence from the testing of the Battery for Executive Functions in Addiction (BFE-A), a novel battery for EF screening. The BFE-A consists of seven digitized subtests tapping on learning and memory, working memory, cognitive flexibility, focused attention, attention regulation and suppression of interference, and inhibitory control. One hundred fifty-one patients diagnosed with substance-use disorder and 56 healthy participants were administered the BFE-A. First-level statistical analyses highlighted lower performance of the clinical sample with respect to healthy participants across all the battery subtests, though verbal memory and focused attention proved to be the most impaired functions. Regression analyses, then, revealed that longer withdrawal periods led to greater memory performance and that a longer history of substance abuse specifically led to less efficient information-processing speed in an attention regulation task. Findings provide first support to the evaluation of the BFE-A as a brief but informative screening battery, potentially complementing the diagnostic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work addiction is considered a public health concern, as it can lead to negative and harmful health outcomes. However, patterns leading from work addiction to mental health concerns remain so far largely unknown and under-studied. We aimed to verify whether the relationship between work addiction and psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) is mediated by food addiction among young adult workers in the context of Lebanese culture. The second objective was to validate the Arabic version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS). The online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1268 Lebanese young adult workers (65.1% females, mean age 26.18 years) using the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Yale Food Addiction Scale, and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. The PROCESS SPSS Macro version 3.4, model four, was used to compute the mediation analysis. Findings revealed that 175 (13.8%) were presented as work-addicted individuals, and 226 (17.8%) exhibited addictive-like eating behaviors. Bivariate analyses showed that higher degree of work addiction and food addiction was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The results of the mediation analysis showed that the association between work addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress was mediated by food addiction. In light of our findings, we cautiously suggest that the link of work addiction to psychological distress via food addiction implies that strategies targeting food addiction might mitigate the harmful effects of work addiction on workers' mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addiction is a widespread problem affecting people from different regions, generations, and classes. It is often analysed as a problem consisting in compulsion or poor choice-making. Recently, however, integrated analyses of compulsion and choice have been called for. In this paper, I argue that the capability approach highlights the well-being loss at stake in cases of addiction, whether they are described as stemming from compulsion, poor choice-making, or some combination thereof. The relevant capabilities obtain when combinations of individual, socio-political, and environmental factors jointly facilitate abstention. On this complementary evaluative analysis, people's capabilities to abstain are shown to be undermined by how different kinds of factors interact with each other. The upshot is that without committing to an empirical view of the nature of addiction that must capture each case, the capabilitarian analysis helps highlight a central goal of addiction-related well-being policy-work, namely to promote people's genuine opportunities to abstain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic kidney disease has a detrimental impact on the overall quality of life (QoL) in children. The regular visits to doctors, prolonged reliance on medication, frequent hospital stays, and changes in their physical appearance increase their vulnerability to developing psychiatric problems and hinder their daily activities and social interactions, resulting in isolation, poor peer relations, and low self-esteem. These factors may compel these children to depend on digital media to find connections, regulate emotions, and cope with their illnesses. The study aims to determine the prevalence of electronic addiction among minors undergoing regular hemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) while simultaneously assessing their parental styles and psychological adaptation. A total of 60 subjects were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups. Group A: Thirty patients undergoing regular hemodialysis for ESKD. Group B: Thirty healthy subjects of matching age and sex. All the recruited participants were subjected to semi-structured clinical interviews according to our institute's sheets, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Digital Addiction Scale for Children (DASC), Parent Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), and Psychological Adaptation Scale. Results: Patients patients had a significantly higher prevalence of digital addiction compared to healthy subjects, with an average score of (87.00 ± 21.23) in dialysis patients against (53.00 ± 25.20) in normal participants, demonstrating significant differences (p< 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the duration of dialysis treatment and the prevalence of digital addiction (r = -0.415, p-value = 0.023). A significant inverse correlation was found between digital addiction and the emotional subtype of the psychological adaption rating (r= -0.375, p= 0.041). Conclusion: The findings revealed that dialysis patients have a higher incidence of digital addiction. Prolonged dialysis duration was significantly associated with increased digital addiction among patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire was administered to 1269 college students to examine if self-regulatory fatigue mediates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and smartphone addiction, and whether feeling of the passage of time moderates this relationship. The results showed that intolerance of uncertainty had a significant positive predictive effect on college students' smartphone addiction, and that self-regulatory fatigue partially mediated the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and smartphone addiction. Additionally, the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and smartphone addiction was moderated by feeling of the passage of time. More specifically, the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on smartphone addiction is stronger when emotional affect and physiological susceptibility are heightened, and weaker when behavioral response tendency is increased. The study's findings contribute to the literature on smartphone addiction mechanisms and have important practical implications for preventing and treating smartphone addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impulsive traits (i.e., the tendency to act without forethought regardless of negative outcomes) are frequently found in healthy populations. When exposed to risk factors, individuals may develop debilitating disorders of impulse control (addiction, substance abuse, gambling) characterized by behavioral and cognitive deficits, eventually leading to huge socioeconomic costs. With the far-reaching aim of preventing the onset of impulsive disorders, it is relevant to investigate the topological organization of functional brain networks associated with impulsivity in sub-clinical populations. Taking advantage of the open-source LEMON dataset, we investigated the topological features of resting-state functional brain networks associated with impulsivity in younger (n = 146, age: 20–35) and older (n = 61, age: 59–77) individuals, using a graph-theoretical approach. Specifically, we computed indices of segregation and integration at the level of specific circuits and nodes known to be involved in impulsivity (frontal, limbic, and striatal networks). In younger individuals, results revealed that impulsivity was associated with a more widespread, less clustered and less efficient functional organization, at all levels of analyses and in all selected networks. Conversely, impulsivity in older individuals was associated with reduced integration and increased segregation of striatal regions. Speculatively, such alterations of functional brain networks might underlie behavioral and cognitive abnormalities associated with impulsivity, a working hypothesis worth being tested in future research. Lastly, differences between younger and older individuals might reflect the implementation of age-specific adaptive strategies, possibly accounting for observed differences in behavioral manifestations. Potential interpretations, limitations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are the most costly and prevalent psychiatric conditions. Recent calls emphasize a need for biomarkers—measurable, stable indicators of normal and abnormal processes and response to treatment or environmental agents—and, in particular, brain-based neuromarkers that will advance understanding of the neurobiological basis of SUDs and clinical practice. To develop neuromarkers, researchers must be grounded in evidence that a putative marker (i) is sensitive and specific to the psychological phenomenon of interest, (ii) constitutes a predictive model, and (iii) generalizes to novel observations (e.g., through internal cross-validation and external application to novel data). These neuromarkers may be used to index risk of developing SUDs (susceptibility), classify individuals with SUDs (diagnostic), assess risk for progression to more severe pathology (prognostic) or index current severity of pathology (monitoring), detect response to treatment (response), and predict individualized treatment outcomes (predictive). Here, we outline guidelines for developing and assessing neuromarkers, we then review recent advances toward neuromarkers in addiction neuroscience centering our discussion around neuromarkers of craving—a core feature of SUDs. In doing so, we specifically focus on the Neurobiological Craving Signature (NCS), which show great promise for meeting the demand of neuromarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document, titled "Neuroscience and addiction research: current advances and perspectives," discusses the complex nature of addiction and the need for further research in the field. It highlights the various substances that can lead to addiction and the stages of the addiction cycle. The document also explores the advancements in neuroscience and mental health research that have been made in understanding addiction. It emphasizes the importance of integrating social and environmental factors into addiction research. The document includes articles on animal models, molecular mechanisms, non-neuronal cells, circuits, and human research related to addiction. It also discusses the potential of brain-based biomarkers and non-pharmacological therapies, such as psychotherapies and brain stimulation, in the treatment of addiction. Overall, this special issue provides a comprehensive overview of current research and perspectives in addiction research. [Extracted from the article]

The prevention and treatment of addiction (moderate to severe substance use disorder—SUD) have remained challenging because of the dynamic and complex interactions between multiple biological and social determinants that shape SUD. The pharmacological landscape is ever changing and the use of multiple drugs is increasingly common, requiring an unraveling of pharmacological interactions to understand the effects. There are different stages in the trajectory from drug use to addiction that are characterized by distinct cognitive and emotional features. These are directed by different neurobiological processes that require identification and characterization including those that underlie the high co-morbidity with other disorders. Finally, there is substantial individual variability in the susceptibility to develop SUD because there are multiple determinants, including genetics, sex, developmental trajectories and times of drug exposures, and psychosocial and environmental factors including commercial determinants that influence drug availability. Elucidating how these factors interact to determine risk is essential for identifying the biobehavioral basis of addiction and developing prevention and treatment strategies. Basic research is tasked with addressing each of these challenges. The recent proliferation of technological advances that allow for genetic manipulation, visualization of molecular reactions and cellular activity in vivo, multiscale whole brain mapping across the life span, and the mining of massive data sets including multimodality human brain imaging are accelerating our ability to understand how the brain functions and how drugs influence it. Here, we highlight how the application of these tools to the study of addiction promises to illuminate its neurobiological basis and guide strategies for prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical and preclinical studies have identified immunosuppressive effects of nicotine, with potential implications for treating nicotine addiction. Here we review how nicotine can regulate microglia, the resident macrophages in the brain, and corresponding effects of nicotine on neuroimmune signaling. There is significant evidence that activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on microglia can trigger an anti-inflammatory cascade that alters microglial polarization and activity, cytokine release, and intracellular calcium concentrations, leading to neuroprotection. These anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine-dependent α7 nAChR signaling are lost during withdrawal, suggesting that neuroimmune signaling is potentiated during abstinence, and thus, heightened microglial activity may drive circuit disruption that contributes to withdrawal symptoms and hyperkatifeia. In sum, the clinical literature has highlighted immunomodulatory effects of nicotine and the potential for anti-inflammatory compounds to treat addiction. The preclinical literature investigating the underlying mechanisms points to a role of microglial engagement in the circuit dysregulation and behavioral changes that occur during nicotine addiction and withdrawal, driven, at least in part, by activation of α7 nAChRs on microglia. Specifically targeting microglial signaling may help alleviate withdrawal symptoms in people with nicotine dependence and help to promote abstinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug use is one of the biggest problems in many countries of the world. Addiction has many negative consequences for the users. One of the most important effects of drugs on the brain and causing ischemic stroke is that due to the heterogeneous and different results of these studies, the current study aims to investigate the relationship between opium and marijuana addiction and ischemic stroke through a systematic review and meta-analysis. In this study, electronic database namely PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar search engine were systematically utilised, until February 2023. In order to evaluate the quality of the studies, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used Data analysis was conducted using Random Effects model. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated by the I2 index. In the review of 7 studies with a sample size of 3,312,141 individuals, the odds ratio obtained for the association between marijuana use and ischemic stroke was 1.36 (95% CI: 0.96–1.92). The odds ratio obtained for the association between opium use and ischemic stroke was 2.16 (95% CI: 1.15–4.06). According to the results obtained from current paper's meta-analysis, there is a relationship between marijuana and opium addiction and ischemic stroke. Therefore, informing the society about the effects of drugs on the brain and causing ischemic strokes, especially in adolescents and youth, and providing care and counselling measures can be effective in reducing drug use and its effects on causing ischemic strokes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-reflectively, many addicts seem either not responsible, or less responsible, for their addictive conduct, at least if they lack responsibility for their addiction. Moore believes roughly the following. Addicts lack responsibility, when they do, because addicts are unable to control their conduct. They are unable when certain modal conditions are satisfied. Moore offers different modal conditions in different places. This view can be contrasted with another – that addicts lack responsibility when they do because they act on desires that are not well integrated into their motivations. Moore doubts the significance of integration for responsibility. I argue that addicts lack responsibility when, and because, first, addictive craving is not integrated into personhood in a way that directly grounds responsibility; and second, addicts lack the ability to control their addictive conduct to the extent needed for (full) responsibility. I explain how and why modal accounts of self-control need to be refined beyond ways Moore suggests to appropriately test the ability to control oneself, whether or not they are fundamental in explaining responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an increase in smartphone usage globally. Cyberchondria (CYB) is characterized by excessive Internet searches for health information. Smartphone addiction is constantly rising among medical students together with CYB as a collateral emerging risk, yet there is limited research available on the topic. Methods: This cross-sectional study explores the rising phenomenon of smartphone addiction and its potential role in CYB among medical students in seven Egyptian universities. A total of 1435 medical students participated in completing online questionnaires that assessed smartphone addiction and CYB using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to assess predictors of smartphone addiction and CYB. Results: Based on the used scales, 57.6% of students were suffering from smartphone addiction, and 85.8% exhibited a moderate degree of CYB. There was a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction scores and CYB (p < 0.05). The multivariable regression models revealed that four factors including using Facebook, using WhatsApp, increasing time spent on the Internet per day, and a higher CYB score increase the probability of smartphone addiction. The factors that increase the probability of CYB are using Facebook, an increase in the frequency of Internet searches, a higher degree of worry about one's health or a family member's health, and being a smartphone addict. Conclusion: Smartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students is prevalent. Social media use, time spent online, and smartphone addiction were linked with the risk of CYB. Regular physical activity decreases the probability of smartphone addiction. Awareness programs and increased mental and physical activities are required to help reduce smartphone addiction among youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of studies have reported the existence of ADHD symptoms to be risk factors for technology addictions among young adults. In contrast to previous studies, the aim of the present study was to examine different dimensions of technology addiction in a community sample of adults and to examine their association with the individual trait-level ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. A community sample of one hundred and fifty adults were recruited to participate in this study via convenience sampling. Participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Young's Internet Addiction Test, the Compulsive Online Shopping Scale, and a Demographic Information Form. Composite ADHD score, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity were positively associated with technology addictions (internet, social media, smartphone, and online shopping addiction). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were predictors of social media addiction and smartphone addiction, whereas they were not for online shopping addiction. Furthermore, inattention was the only predictor of internet addiction. People with non-clinical, trait-level ADHD, especially those showing a preponderance of inattention symptoms appear to be more vulnerable to developing some forms of technology addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified the relationship between inferiority complex and problematic social networking service (SNS) use, and examined the mediating effects of self-presentational motives and recognition of differences in self-worth between reality and SNS (RDSRS) on this relationship. The participants included 293 men and women aged 19 years or above who used SNS. The Inferiority Complex Scale, Self-Presentational Motivation Scale, a questionnaire measuring RDSRS, and the SNS Addiction Proneness Scale were used. To analyze the double-parallel mediating effect, PROCESS Macro 3.5 Model 4 was used. The results revealed that inferiority complex was positively correlated with self-presentational motives, RDSRS, and problematic SNS use. Self-presentational motives were positively correlated with RDSRS and problematic SNS use, while RDSRS was positively correlated with problematic SNS use. Additionally, self-presentational motives and RDSRS mediated inferiority complex and problematic SNS use. These findings suggest that self-presentational motives and RDSRS should be considered when mental health professionals treat problematic SNS use in individuals with high inferiority complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between academic stress and digital game addiction, explores the mediating effect of negative mood reduction through digital games, and investigates the moderating effect of perceived parental game use among a large sample of Korean adolescents. Data were collected from the Game Overuse General Survey (GOGS) conducted by the Korea Creative Content Agency in August 2018. Linear regression analysis was performed on a sample of 69,981 participants, and models 4 and 5 of the PROCESS macro were utilized to test the relationship between key variables and their underlying mechanisms. The results reveal a significant positive association between academic stress and digital game addiction. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that negative mood reduction through digital games partially mediates the relationship between academic stress and digital game addiction, and that perceived parental game use significantly moderates the effect of academic stress on digital game addiction. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, along with suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "economon" (i:'ka.nə.muhn; plural: economa) is introduced here to describe an economic unit composed of two participants engaged in mutually reinforcing operant behavior. Economa are basic building blocks of transactional behavior that aggregate in social networks called economies. In a drug-addiction economon, operant behavior by one participant (the "supplier") provides an addictive drug as a reinforcer to the second participant (a "Person with Substance Use Disorder; PwSUD"). Reciprocal operant behavior by the PwSUD usually provides money as a reinforcer to the supplier. After defining the features of the drug-addiction economon, this article discusses its implications for (1) prevalence and virulence of drug addiction, (2) opportunities for drug-addiction research in general, (3) the "brain-disease model of addiction" in particular, and (4) factors that mitigate harm or promote risk of drug addiction. The economon model is intended to provide a novel perspective on the uniquely human disorder of drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological maltreatment is a concern linked to a variety of psychosocial and developmental adjustment problems among Chinese youth. The current study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify profiles of Chinese college students with differing patterns of childhood psychological maltreatment experience (i.e., abuse & neglect). We identified five profiles with varying degrees of maltreatment relative to one another: (1) Low Maltreatment (low abuse, low neglect), (2) Moderately Low Maltreatment (moderately low abuse, moderately low neglect), (3) Neglect (low abuse, moderately high neglect), (4) Moderate Maltreatment (moderate abuse, moderate neglect), and (5) High Maltreatment (high abuse, high neglect). Memberships in the Low Maltreatment and Neglect profile groups were associated with sex, parental education, and family income but no differences were found between the other profiles. These findings suggest that sociodemographic information alone is inadequate for accurately discriminating between moderately and highly maltreated Chinese youth and young adults. Profiles characterized by relatively high psychological maltreatment exhibited greater addiction to online gaming and cyberbullying perpetration. This presents findings relevant to how youths and young adults may seek virtual outlets to cope with their childhood maltreatment experiences amid recent government-mandated internet gaming curfews. Interventions aimed at fostering proper coping skills during critical developmental periods should be considered. Highlights: Five profiles of psychological maltreatment were found for college students in China. Low psychological maltreatment was the most common profile while high psychological maltreatment was the most uncommon. The majority of students reported experiencing some form of psychological maltreatment. Moderate to high psychological maltreatment profiles also reported higher online gaming addiction and cyberbullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As smartphones become increasingly prevalent worldwide, the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being has become a focal point in academic circles. Prior research predominantly delved into the direct correlation between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being, yet there remains a dearth in exploring its underlying mechanisms. This study investigated the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being among Chinese university students. Conducted across 16 universities in eight provinces and municipalities in China, this study encompassed 1527 university students. Data collection utilized scales measuring smartphone addiction, loneliness, and subjective well-being. The findings revealed that: (1) demographic variables such as place of origin, educational level, and family income influenced university students' subjective well-being; (2) a significant negative correlation existed between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being among university students, coupled with a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction and loneliness, indicating the significant negative predictive effect of smartphone addiction on subjective well-being; (3) loneliness partially mediated the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being among university students, suggesting that smartphone addiction could directly impact university students' subjective well-being, or indirectly through its effect on loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic substance use and addiction is a growing crisis in the United States. As a result, identifying factors that effectively promote addiction recovery is, currently, of particular societal importance. Informed by evidence that—while addiction can be perpetuated by stress-related impulsivity and decreased self-regulation—perceived social support is protective against addiction, we test a model for addiction recovery as a form of posttraumatic growth (PTG), focused specifically on close relationships and personal strength—two domains of PTG. In an initial study, we found that perceived social support and impulsivity predicted number of relapses in individuals in a substance use disorder recovery program. Using experience sampling, we then observed that experiencing a stressful event predicted impulsive behavior. However, experiencing closeness with others—a domain of PTG—was directly associated with perceived social support, and both predicted positive emotional states, which were, in turn, inversely associated with experiencing a stressful event. Further, when experiencing a stressful event, personal strength—also a domain of PTG—was inversely associated with impulsive behavior and was predicted by both perceived social support and positive emotional states. Finally, in a follow-up experiment, we found that an ecological momentary intervention targeting perceived social support decreased impulsivity and increased self-regulation—an aspect of personal strength—in a dose-dependent fashion. Taken together, our findings: (1) support a PTG model for recovery; (2) provide evidence for processes by which close supportive relationships are protective against addiction and relapse; and (3) indicate that self-regulation is responsive to a short in-the-moment perceived social support intervention. We suggest that these findings support the theory that addiction is a social disease in the sense that close personal interactions and supportive relationships: (a) buffer against stress-related impulsivity, thereby protecting against addiction and relapse; and (b) increase personal strength, thereby decreasing the probability of impulsive—including addictive—behavior and promoting recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addiction remains one of the most prominent public health concerns to date that presents unique challenges that may require intervention methods that transcend individualized disease model conceptualizations. Addiction is perpetuated beyond the contributions of the individual in the form of economic, social, and cultural factors. Indeed, evidence suggests that the disease model of addiction is a systemic variable contributing to addiction epidemics; therefore, using a systemic perspective in addiction intervention is efficacious. The systemic approach affords clinicians the understanding of how relationships not only contribute to addictive patterns, but also can serve to combat them. The potential for both positive outcomes as well as adaptive addiction healthcare innovations remains high in relational therapy paradigms. What follows is the current conceptualization of addiction and recovery, a brief history of addiction in relational therapy, reviews of efficacious addiction treatment methodologies in relational therapy, and suggestions for filling research gaps with respect to relational therapy to addiction treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hospital admissions involving substance use disorders are increasing and represent an opportunity to engage patients in substance use treatment. Addiction medicine consultation services improve access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and patient outcomes. However, as hospitals continue to adopt addiction medicine consultation services it is important to identify where disparities may emerge in the process of care. Objective: To describe addiction medicine consultation service use by race and ethnicity as well as substance to identify opportunities to reduce substance use treatment disparities. Design: Retrospective cohort study using 2016–2021 Electronic Health Record data from a large Midwest safety-net hospital. Participants: Hospitalized adults aged 18 or older, with one or more substance use disorders. Main Measures: Consultation orders placed, patient seen by consult provider, and receipt of MOUD by self-reported race. Key Results: Between 2016 and 2021, we identified 16,895 hospitalized patients with a substance use disorder. Consultation orders were placed for 6344 patients and 2789 were seen by the consult provider. Black patients were less likely (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.53–0.63) to have an addiction medicine consultation order placed and, among patients with a consultation order, were less likely (aOR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.65–0.85) to be seen by the consult provider than White patients. Overall, Black patients with OUD were also less likely to receive MOUD in the hospital (aOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50–0.79) compared to White patients. However, there were no differences in MOUD receipt among Black and White patients seen by the consult provider. Conclusions: Using Electronic Health Record data, we identified racial and ethnic disparities at multiple points in the inpatient addiction medicine consultation process. Addressing these disparities may support more equitable access to MOUD and other substance use treatment in the hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]