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3. The Characteristics of Prototypical Occupational Identities: A Grounded Theory of Four Occupations

Author

Yates, Julia and Cahill, Sharon

Abstract

Evidence suggests that occupational prototypes have an impact on career decisions yet literature provides only a limited understanding of the nature of these prototypes. This paper presents a small-scale grounded theory study to explore the prototypes of four occupations. Data were collected from 24 psychology undergraduates through four focus groups. Participants were asked to evoke a typical member of each of four occupational groups and describe their prototype in detail. A classic grounded theory analysis identified the characteristics which were symbolised by the features of the prototypes and resulted in eight dimensions: warm, energetic, fun, intelligent, conventional, highbrow, successful and cool. The discussion explores the dimensions in the light of existing literature and suggestions are offered for practice.

Published
2021
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4. What Kind of Shoes Does a Social Worker Wear? A Content Analysis of Four Occupational Prototypes

Author

Yates, Julia and Cahill, Sharon

Abstract

Evidence suggests that occupational prototypes have an impact on career decisions, through the mechanism of self-to-prototype matching, yet the literature provides scant information about the nature of these occupational prototypes. This study examines the prototypes of four common occupational choices of psychology students in the UK (social worker, primary school teacher, occupational psychologist and clinical psychologist). Data were gathered through four focus groups (N = 24) and were analysed with a quantitative content analysis to produce descriptions of the four occupational prototypes. It was found that the occupational prototypes were detailed and multi-dimensional, incorporating a wide range of features not directly related to the job itself including information about clothing, leisure activities and home décor. Implications for career development theory and career practice are discussed.

Published
2019
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5. Women and anger : sixty women's personal and social experiences of anger

Author

Cahill, Sharon

Subjects
150, Expressing
Abstract

To date there has been very little research regarding the relationship between women's personal experience of expressing anger and societal perception of that expression. Yet as Kippax et al (1988) note "the duality between the individual and the social structure must be recognised and incorporated into any successful theory of emotions" (p20). The relationship between these factors of the personal (discourse about self being angry) and the social (discourse about how society views women being angry) was scrutinised. This was achieved by the participation of sixty-five Scottish women in a three phase research project. The first phase involved nine focus groups, phase two involved using a two tier (self and society) Q-sort and the third phase involved qualitative interviews with the exemplars of six factors. These methods offered a way of elucidating and articulating women's accounts of their anger experiences. A thematic discourse analysis of the focus group material uncovered several discourses notably 'relationships mediate women's experiences of anger' and 'society constructs women's anger as unfeminine'. Other discourses highlighted were: 'control & aggression'; 'angry but guilty'; 'anger as a positive experience'; 'gender similarities and differences' and 'crying when angry' . These discourses were fed into a two tier Q-sort which produced 14 factors (8 of which are qualitatively analysed) emphasising the paradoxes and complexities of the different subject positions that the participants occupied. However, anger was frequently constructed as a passion - an 'all or nothing' event. The majority of parti~ipants constructed a society which opposed their right to express their anger. Discourses taken up by the participants demonstrate that there are several constructs that remain important for feminist psychologists to pursue, namely: power relations; context; and stereotyping

Published
2001

6. The Impact of Dynamic Assessment: An Exploration of the Views of Children, Parents and Teachers

Author

Lawrence, Nicola and Cahill, Sharon

Abstract

A qualitative research project was carried out to explore the views of children with special educational needs, their parents and teachers about one aspect of educational psychology practice: the dynamic assessment of cognitive skills. The research was carried out in a highly diverse and inclusive borough in East London, by Nicola Lawrence from Hounslow Educational Psychology Service, and Sharon Cahill from the University of East London. The views of nine children were sought through semi-structured interviews regarding the process of dynamic assessment, supported with tools and techniques to facilitate discussion. The views of eight parents and seven teachers were also sought, through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, regarding the psychological reports produced from dynamic assessment. Of the original findings acquired through thematic analysis of the data, those pertaining to the perceived impact of dynamic assessment of cognitive skills are reported. Dynamic assessment was reported to impact positively upon the child's emotional well-being, self-perceptions, approach to learning and social relationships, both directly, and through the subsequent intervention of parents and educators. Dynamic assessment, as well as providing instructionally useful information for parents and teachers, encouraged them to move beyond locating the problem within the child, to reconceptualising their special educational needs in context. As a result, parents and teachers became more positive and optimistic about the child, the current situation and the child's future. Dynamic assessment impacted upon the child's holistic needs, parenting and the development of inclusive practice in the classroom. It is concluded that from the perspective of service users, dynamic assessment forms a worthwhile and valuable part of educational psychology practice.

Published
2014
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7. Building Secure Attachments for Primary School Children: A Mixed Methods Study

Author

Ubha, Neerose and Cahill, Sharon

Abstract

Despite the wide implications of attachment theory there remains a lack of research exploring interventions which encapsulate the principles of an attachment-based framework in the school context. The aim of this research was to address this gap by implementing an intervention for a group of five primary-aged pupils with identified insecure attachment styles, and a key adult figure in the school context. The 10 week intervention consisted of weekly sessions based in a mainstream primary school. The research adopted a mixed methodology, with a predominant qualitative focus. The perceptions of children in relation to attachment concepts were explored both before and following the intervention. The findings revealed positive changes in the children's behaviours and experiences, in that the children's Internal Working Models were positively shifted, and impacted on their social and emotional behaviours.

Published
2014
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12. Psychometric evaluation of the Amphetamine Cessation Symptom Assessment

Author

McGregor, Catherine, Srisurapanont, Manit, Mitchell, Amanda, Longo, Marie C., Cahill, Sharon, and White, Jason M.

Subjects
Drug withdrawal symptoms -- Analysis, Neurophysiology -- Research, Drug addicts -- Care and treatment, Drug abuse -- Care and treatment, Drug abuse -- Methods, Drug abuse -- Analysis, Health
Abstract

Testing of a new scale, the Amphetamine Cessation Symptom Assessment (ACSA), in a sample of treatment-seeking amphetamine users (N = 133) showed satisfactory reliability, while factor analysis identified three components explaining 64.7% of the variance in scores. Scores were inversely related to subjective general well-being (r = -.33, p < .01) and directly related to the Beck Depression Inventory (r = .59, p < .01). There were positive relationships between the ACSA and measures of amphetamine dependence (r = .36, p < .01) and the intensity of recent amphetamine use (r = .24, p < .01). The ACSA discriminated between 'low-dose' and 'high-dose' users, indicating discriminant validity. In inpatients (n = 63), ACSA scores declined significantly over time, while higher scores in inpatient treatment dropouts indicated predictive validity. The ACSA showed satisfactory reliability and validity, with a three-factor solution providing the best fit to the data. The ACSA could play an important role in providing clinical outcome data, particularly in outcome evaluation of new treatment protocols. Keywords: Amphetamine; Withdrawal; Factor; Validity; Reliability

Published
2008

23. Celebrations amongst challenges: Considering the past, present and future of the qualitative methods in psychology section of the British Psychology Society

Author

Riley, Sarah, Brooks, Joanna, Goodman, Simon, Cahill, Sharon, Branney, Peter, Treharne, Gareth J., Sullivan, Cath, Riley, Sarah, Brooks, Joanna, Goodman, Simon, Cahill, Sharon, Branney, Peter, Treharne, Gareth J., and Sullivan, Cath

Abstract

This article summarises the standpoint of the Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society regarding the current position of qualitative research in psychology in the United Kingdom. The article is in three parts. Part one documents the historical development of the section, outlining its rationale, remit, and current activities. These activities aim to champion and develop qualitative methods in psychology, supporting high quality work regardless of epistemological or ontological position. Part two considers the current context of our work, describing not only how qualitative methods are valued in the United Kingdom but also how this recognition is undermined, particularly through the operationalisation of our national research assessment (the Research Excellence Framework). We also consider the challenges that Open Science poses for qualitive researchers. Part three highlights some of the significant contributions of UK-based qualitative researchers to psychology, with a particular focus on feminist-informed research, discourse analysis, and interpretative phenomenological analysis, before pointing to future exciting possibilities based on research exploring the affordances of digital technologies and innovative synthesising across epistemologies and disciplinary boundaries.

Published
2019

27. Exploring the Dynamics of Subjectivity and Power Between Researcher and Researched

Author

Riley, Sarah, Schouten, Wendy, and Cahill, Sharon

Subjects
Reflexivität, Macht, Subjektivität, Feminismus, Poststrukturalismus, sozialer Konstruktivismus, Gender, Wut, Kindererziehung, Männlichkeit(en), reflexivity, power, subjectivity, feminism, post structuralism, social constructionism, gender, anger, childcare, masculinities, reflexividad, poder, subjetividad, feminismo, post estructuralismo, construccionismo social, género, enojo, cuidado de niños, masculinidades
Abstract

In unserem Beitrag werden drei Studien beschrieben und unter dem Gesichtspunkt von Macht-Dynamiken beleuchtet, die durch die im Forschungsprozess wirksamen subjektiven Positionen von Forschenden und Forschungsteilnehmer(inne)n hervorgebracht werden. Der hierbei verwandte reflexive Ansatz ist durch poststrukturalistische Kritiken an einem Reflexivitätsbegriff inspiriert, der wahrheitsgemäße Repräsentationen des Forschungsprozesses und diesen gestaltende stabile und einzigartige Autor(inn)en unterstellt. Hier werden Subjektivität und Macht demgegenüber mit Hilfe der Verwendung unterschiedlicher narrativer Stile ausgelotet, um den widersprüchlichen und fragmentierten Charakter von Reflexivität als eine Neukonstruktion von (vergangener) Wirklichkeit darstellen zu können. In der ersten Studie, die sich mit der Erfahrung von Wut bei Frauen befasst, beschreibt eine Forscherin ihren Versuch, die Teilnehmerinnen der Studie in die Analyse einzubeziehen, um das eigene Verständnis der Daten zu verbessern. Ausgehend von einem Verständnis von Reflexivität als Introspektion und Kollaboration schildert eine einzelne Erzählerin die Geschichte ihre konflikthaften subjektiven Position als feministische Forscherin, d.h. als Feministin und Forscherin. In der zweiten Studie interviewte eine Forscherin berufstätige Männer zum Thema zwischengeschlechtlicher Beziehungen. Diese Forscherin entwickelt – ausgehend von einem Verständnis von Reflexivität als sozialer Kritik – eine dialogische Untersuchung in Form von "Mehrstimmigkeit". Ihre Aufmerksamkeit gilt im Besonderen eigenen subjektiven Positionen, die aus Identitätsaspekten folgen, die mit ihrer Geschlechtsrolle und ihrer Forscherinnenrolle verknüpft sind. In der dritten Studie schließlich wird Reflexivität als diskursive Dekonstruktion verstanden und ein Ansatz nicht-dialogischer "Mehrstimmigkeit" verwandt, um den multiplen und widersprüchlichen Charakter reflexiven Verstehens nachzuvollziehen, der mit aus Forschungserfahrung, Nationalität und Mutterschaft sich ergebenden subjektiven Positionen zusammenhängt. Bei der Untersuchung der Beziehungen zwischen Forscherinnen und Forschungsteilnehmer(inne)n, die dadurch ermöglicht oder verhindert wurden, dass die Forscherinnen ihre subjektive Rolle als "Forschende" einnahmen, entstanden durch die Verwendung von drei verschiedenen Auffassungsweisen von Reflexivität mit entsprechend unterschiedlichen Erzähl-Stilen neue Verstehensmöglichkeiten von Subjektivität und Macht. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0302400, Three studies are described and examined in terms of the power dynamics created through the subjective positions made salient for both researchers and the participants by the research process. The reflexive accounts of these studies are informed by the poststructuralist critique of reflexivity as both a truthful representation of the research process and one that can be produced by stable and unitary authors. In this paper subjectivity and power are explored through the use of different narrative styles that work to highlight the contradictory and fragmented nature of reflexivity as a new construction of (a past) reality. In the first investigation a female researcher exploring women's experiences of anger describes the process of taking analysis back to her participants to enhance the researcher's understanding of her data. Taking the approach to reflexivity as one of introspection and collaboration a single narrator tells the tale of conflict and resolution between her subjective positions of feminist-researcher, feminist and researcher. In the second study, a female researcher who interviewed men working in professional employment creates a dialogical inquiry through polyvocality to produce an account of reflexivity as social critique. In particular, she explores the subjective positions created through identities attached to her gender and her role as a researcher. The third study approaches reflexivity as discursive deconstruction and employs non-dialogical polyvocality to explore the multiple and contradictory nature of reflexive understandings created through subjective positions derived from the research experience, nationality and motherhood. In examining the participant-researcher relationships that were enabled or dis-enabled when the researchers inhabited the subjective position of "researcher", the use of three different approaches to reflexivity with correspondingly different narrative styles, produced new understandings of subjectivity and power. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0302400, Se describen y examinan tres estudios en términos de las dinámicas de poder creadas a través de las posiciones subjetivas hechas visibles para los investigadores y los investigados por el proceso de investigación. Los reportes reflexivos de estos estudios son guiados por la crítica post-estructuralista de la reflexividad como una representación verdadera del proceso investigativo y como una representación que puede ser producida por autores estables y unitarios. En este artículo subjetividad y poder son explorados por el uso de diferentes estilos narativos que tienen la funcción de demostrar la naturaleza contradictoria y fragmentada de la reflexividad como una nueva construcción de (una) realidad (pasada). En el primer estudio una investigadora que explora experiencias femininas de enojo describe el proceso de devolver el análisis a las participantes de su estudio para mejorar su propio entendimiento de sus datos. Tomando el enfoque a la reflexividad como único a la introspección y colaboración, un solo narrador cuenta la historia de conflicto y solución entre sus posiciones subjetivas de investigadora feminista, entre feminista y investigadora. En el segundo estudio una investigadora que entrevistó hombres trabajando en empleos profesionales, crea una investigación dialógica por polivocalidad para producir un reporte reflexivo como crítica social. En particular explora las posiciones subjetivas creadas por identidades vinculadas con su género y su rol como investigadora. El tercer estudio accesa la reflexividad como deconstrucción discursiva y usa polivocalidad no-dialógica para explorar la naturaleza múltiple y contradictoria de los entendimientos reflexivos creados mediante posiciones subjetivas derivadas de la experiencia investigativa, de la nacionalidad y de la maternidad. Al examinar las relaciones entre participantes y investigadores que fueron hechas posibles o im-posibles cuando los investigadores tomaron la posición subjetiva de "investigador", el uso de tres diferentes enfoques a la reflexividad con correspondientes estilos narativos diferentes, produjo nuevos entendimientos sobre la subjetividad y el poder. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0302400

Published
2003

29. Exploring the Dynamics of Subjectivity and Power Between Researcher and Researched

Author

Riley, Sarah, Schouten, Wendy, Cahill, Sharon, Riley, Sarah, Schouten, Wendy, and Cahill, Sharon

Abstract

In unserem Beitrag werden drei Studien beschrieben und unter dem Gesichtspunkt von Macht-Dynamiken beleuchtet, die durch die im Forschungsprozess wirksamen subjektiven Positionen von Forschenden und Forschungsteilnehmer(inne)n hervorgebracht werden. Der hierbei verwandte reflexive Ansatz ist durch poststrukturalistische Kritiken an einem Reflexivitätsbegriff inspiriert, der wahrheitsgemäße Repräsentationen des Forschungsprozesses und diesen gestaltende stabile und einzigartige Autor(inn)en unterstellt. Hier werden Subjektivität und Macht demgegenüber mit Hilfe der Verwendung unterschiedlicher narrativer Stile ausgelotet, um den widersprüchlichen und fragmentierten Charakter von Reflexivität als eine Neukonstruktion von (vergangener) Wirklichkeit darstellen zu können. In der ersten Studie, die sich mit der Erfahrung von Wut bei Frauen befasst, beschreibt eine Forscherin ihren Versuch, die Teilnehmerinnen der Studie in die Analyse einzubeziehen, um das eigene Verständnis der Daten zu verbessern. Ausgehend von einem Verständnis von Reflexivität als Introspektion und Kollaboration schildert eine einzelne Erzählerin die Geschichte ihre konflikthaften subjektiven Position als feministische Forscherin, d.h. als Feministin und Forscherin. In der zweiten Studie interviewte eine Forscherin berufstätige Männer zum Thema zwischengeschlechtlicher Beziehungen. Diese Forscherin entwickelt – ausgehend von einem Verständnis von Reflexivität als sozialer Kritik – eine dialogische Untersuchung in Form von "Mehrstimmigkeit". Ihre Aufmerksamkeit gilt im Besonderen eigenen subjektiven Positionen, die aus Identitätsaspekten folgen, die mit ihrer Geschlechtsrolle und ihrer Forscherinnenrolle verknüpft sind. In der dritten Studie schließlich wird Reflexivität als diskursive Dekonstruktion verstanden und ein Ansatz nicht-dialogischer "Mehrstimmigkeit" verwandt, um den multiplen und widersprüchlichen Charakter reflexiven Verstehens nachzuvollziehen, der mit aus Forschungserfahrung, Nationalit, Three studies are described and examined in terms of the power dynamics created through the subjective positions made salient for both researchers and the participants by the research process. The reflexive accounts of these studies are informed by the poststructuralist critique of reflexivity as both a truthful representation of the research process and one that can be produced by stable and unitary authors. In this paper subjectivity and power are explored through the use of different narrative styles that work to highlight the contradictory and fragmented nature of reflexivity as a new construction of (a past) reality. In the first investigation a female researcher exploring women's experiences of anger describes the process of taking analysis back to her participants to enhance the researcher's understanding of her data. Taking the approach to reflexivity as one of introspection and collaboration a single narrator tells the tale of conflict and resolution between her subjective positions of feminist-researcher, feminist and researcher. In the second study, a female researcher who interviewed men working in professional employment creates a dialogical inquiry through polyvocality to produce an account of reflexivity as social critique. In particular, she explores the subjective positions created through identities attached to her gender and her role as a researcher. The third study approaches reflexivity as discursive deconstruction and employs non-dialogical polyvocality to explore the multiple and contradictory nature of reflexive understandings created through subjective positions derived from the research experience, nationality and motherhood. In examining the participant-researcher relationships that were enabled or dis-enabled when the researchers inhabited the subjective position of "researcher", the use of three different approaches to reflexivity with correspondingly different narrative styles, produced new understandings of subjectivity and power., Se describen y examinan tres estudios en términos de las dinámicas de poder creadas a través de las posiciones subjetivas hechas visibles para los investigadores y los investigados por el proceso de investigación. Los reportes reflexivos de estos estudios son guiados por la crítica post-estructuralista de la reflexividad como una representación verdadera del proceso investigativo y como una representación que puede ser producida por autores estables y unitarios. En este artículo subjetividad y poder son explorados por el uso de diferentes estilos narativos que tienen la funcción de demostrar la naturaleza contradictoria y fragmentada de la reflexividad como una nueva construcción de (una) realidad (pasada). En el primer estudio una investigadora que explora experiencias femininas de enojo describe el proceso de devolver el análisis a las participantes de su estudio para mejorar su propio entendimiento de sus datos. Tomando el enfoque a la reflexividad como único a la introspección y colaboración, un solo narrador cuenta la historia de conflicto y solución entre sus posiciones subjetivas de investigadora feminista, entre feminista y investigadora. En el segundo estudio una investigadora que entrevistó hombres trabajando en empleos profesionales, crea una investigación dialógica por polivocalidad para producir un reporte reflexivo como crítica social. En particular explora las posiciones subjetivas creadas por identidades vinculadas con su género y su rol como investigadora. El tercer estudio accesa la reflexividad como deconstrucción discursiva y usa polivocalidad no-dialógica para explorar la naturaleza múltiple y contradictoria de los entendimientos reflexivos creados mediante posiciones subjetivas derivadas de la experiencia investigativa, de la nacionalidad y de la maternidad. Al examinar las relaciones entre participantes y investigadores que fueron hechas posibles o im-posibles cuando los investigadores tomaron la posición subjetiva de "investigador", el uso de

Published
2010

30. Life after Stroke: Coping mechanisms among African Caribbean Women.

Author

Moorley, Calvin R., Cahill, Sharon, and Corcoran, Nova T.

Subjects
*PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation, *BLACK people, *CHURCH buildings, *CONVALESCENCE, *INTERVIEWING, *PHENOMENOLOGY, *RESEARCH methodology, *PATIENT compliance, *RELIGION, *SPIRITUALITY, *STROKE, *WOMEN'S health, *QUALITATIVE research, *NARRATIVES, *THEMATIC analysis
Abstract

In the UK, stroke is the third most common cause of death for women and the incidence in African Caribbean women is higher than that in the general population. Stroke burden has major consequences for the physical, mental and social health of African Caribbean women. In order to adjust to life after stroke, individuals affected employ a range of strategies which may include personal, religious (church) or spiritual support (i.e. prayer), individual motivation or resignation to life with a disability. This study explored these areas through the coping mechanisms that African Caribbean women utilised post stroke in the context of stroke recovery and lifestyle modification efforts needed to promote healthy living post stroke. A qualitative approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis was adopted. Seven women were recruited into the study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were audio recorded and were transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a four-stage framework: familiarisation, sense making, developing themes, and data refinement and analysis. Three main themes on coping emerged: the need to follow medical rules to manage stroke, strength and determination, and the use of religion and faith to cope with life after stroke. These findings illustrate both a tension between religious beliefs and the medical approach to stroke and highlight the potential benefits that religion and the church can play in stroke recovery. Implications for practice include acknowledgement and inclusion of religion- and church-based health promotion in post-stroke recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
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38. DILEMMAS OF LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT: TALKING ABOUT CONSTRAINT, SELFDETERMINATION AND THE FUTURE.

Author

Gilbert, Kendra, Tileagã, Cristian, and Cahill, Sharon

Subjects
DILEMMA, UNEMPLOYMENT, AUTONOMY (Psychology), DISCURSIVE psychology, PSYCHOLOGICAL factors
Abstract

This is a paper on how young long-term unemployed people manage their identity as job seekers in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of unemployment. The paper draws on discursive psychology to highlight some of the patterns of common sense reasoning about their predicament in the context of UK's third wave neoliberalist welfare provision and philosophy of 'personalised conditionality'. In contrast to studies that tend to consider the individual psychological impact of unemployment, particularly with regard to mental health issues, or resilience, this paper shows how a discursive approach can be a fruitful avenue to understanding how people account for their experiences of unemployment. The analysis shows how the thesaurus of everyday psychological states is used as a rhetorical tool for managing accountability for actions and motivations. The situated uses of psychological states allow speakers to engage with the tension between constraint and self-determination, and that between a 'desirable' (based on institutional priorities) and individually 'desired' future (based on subjective 'choice' and 'preference'). In describing their experiences of unemployment, participants talk into being the contradictory themes lodged at the heart of neoliberal ideologies of employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014

39. OPRM1A118G genotype fails to predict the effectiveness of naltrexone treatment for alcohol dependence

Author

Coller, Janet K., Cahill, Sharon, Edmonds, Carolyn, Farquharson, Aaron L., Longo, Marie, Minniti, Rinaldo, Sullivan, Thomas, Somogyi, Andrew A., and White, Jason M.

Abstract

Given the evidence from retrospective studies indicating that alcohol-dependent patients with homozygous or heterozygous A118G variant of the -opioid receptor, OPRM1, gene have significantly better outcomes when treated with naltrexone; this study examined this prospectively in 100 alcohol-dependent participants prescribed naltrexone for 12 weeks and offered six sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy or intervention. Comparisons were made among OPRM1genotypic groups on several outcome measures. Naltrexone treatment produced significant decreases in self-reported and objective indicators of alcohol use and craving from baseline (P<0.0001 and 0.017, respectively), particularly during the first 2 months of treatment, with 68 completing the study. However, there was no evidence of a significant association between OPRM1A118G genotype and treatment success on any of the outcome measures. Therefore, while naltrexone was an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, the OPRM1A118G genotype was not a predictor of success.

Published
2011
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40. OPRM1 A118G genotype fails to predict the effectiveness of naltrexone treatment for alcohol dependence

Author

Jason M. White, Sharon Cahill, Carolyn Edmonds, Andrew A. Somogyi, Thomas Sullivan, Janet K. Coller, Aaron L. Farquharson, Rinaldo Minniti, Marie Longo, Coller, Janet K, Cahill, Sharon, Edmonds, Carolyn, Farquharson, Aaron L, Longo, Marie, Minniti, Rinaldo, Sullivan, Thomas, Somogyi, Andrew A, and White, Jason M

Subjects
Adult, Male, Oncology, medicine.medical_specialty, naltrexone treatment, Genotype, Narcotic Antagonists, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, White People, Naltrexone, Text mining, Internal medicine, Genetics, medicine, Humans, General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics, Receptor, Molecular Biology, Genetics (clinical), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, business.industry, alcohol, Alcohol dependence, Australia, Retrospective cohort study, Middle Aged, Alcoholism, Molecular Medicine, OPRM1 A118G genotype, Female, business, medicine.drug
Abstract

Given the evidence from retrospective studies indicating that alcohol-dependent patients with homozygous or heterozygous A118G variant of the l-opioid receptor, OPRM1, gene have significantly better outcomes when treated with naltrexone; this study examined this prospectively in 100 alcohol-dependent participants prescribed naltrexone for 12 weeks and offered six sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy or intervention. Comparisons were made among OPRM1 genotypic groups on several outcome measures. Naltrexone treatment produced significant decreases in self-reported and objective indicators of alcohol use and craving from baseline (P < 0.0001 and 0.017, respectively), particularly during the first 2 months of treatment, with 68% completing the study. However, there was no evidence of a significant association between OPRM1 A118G genotype and treatment success on any of the outcome measures. Therefore, while naltrexone was an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, the OPRM1 A118G genotype was not a predictor of success. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Published
2011

41. The Psychostimulant Check-Up: a pilot study of a brief intervention to reduce illicit stimulant use

Author

Smout, Matthew, Longo, Marie, Harrison, Sonia, Minniti, Rinaldo, Cahill, Sharon, Wickes, Wendy, and White, Jason M

Subjects
Other Medical and Health Sciences, check-up, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, methamphetamine, brief intervention
Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: This study is to test the acceptability of a single-session 'check-up' intervention for psychostimulant users and document participants' subsequent progress in reducing psychostimulant use and related harms. DESIGN AND METHODS: The design was pre-experimental single-group repeated measures. Eighty participants received the Psychostimulant Check-Up, with 62% completing a 3 month follow up. RESULTS: Participants were predominantly young adult methamphetamine users. The majority indicated that the Check-Up answered their questions, increased their awareness of services, and they would recommend it to their friends. At follow up, there was a significant reduction in self-reported methamphetamine use, the number of self-reported psychostimulant-related negative consequences experienced in the previous month and rates of injecting: 62% self-reported at least a 1 g reduction in methamphetamine use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was well accepted and the majority of those who received it subsequently made meaningful reductions in psychostimulant use and related harm. The intervention offers sufficient promise to warrant a randomised trial to establish whether improvements were specific to the intervention. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Published
2010

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