The structure of compulsive sexual behavior: A network analysis study

Compulsive sexual behavior is a phenomenon characterized by a persistent failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior that causes marked distress or impairment in personal, familial, social, educational, or occupational areas of functioning. Despite its major impact on mental health and quality of life, little is known about its internal structure and whether this phenomenon differs across genders, age groups, and risk status. By considering a large online sample (n = 3186; 68.3% males), ranging from 14 to 64 years old, compulsive sexual behavior was explored by means of network analysis. State-of-the-art analytical techniques were adopted to investigate the pattern of association among the different elements of compulsive sexual behavior, identify possible communities of nodes, pinpoint the most central nodes, and detect differences between males and females, among different age groups, as well as between individuals at low and high risk of developing a full-blown disorder. The analyses revealed that the network was characterized by three communities, namely consequence, preoccupation, and (perceived) impulse dyscontrol, and that the most central node was related to (perceived) impulse dyscontrol. No substantial differences were found between males and females and across age. Failing to meet one’s own commitments and responsibilities was more central in individuals at high risk of developing a full-blown disorder than in those at low risk

Spontaneous thought and vulnerability to mood disorders : the dark side of the wandering mind

There is increasing interest in spontaneous thought, namely task-unrelated or rest-related mental activity. Spontaneous thought is an umbrella term for processes like mind-wandering, involuntary autobiographical memory, and daydreaming, with evidence elucidating adaptive and maladaptive consequences. In this theoretical framework, we propose that, apart from its positive functions, spontaneous thought is a precursor for cognitive vulnerability in individuals who are at risk for mood disorders. It is important that spontaneous thought mostly focuses on unattained goals and evaluates the discrepancy between current and desired status. In individuals who stably (i.e., trait negative affectivity) or transitorily (i.e., stress) experience negative emotions in reaction to goal-discrepancy, spontaneous thought fosters major cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g., rumination, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and cognitive reactivity), which, in turn, enhance depression. Furthermore, we also highlight preliminary links between spontaneous thought and bipolar disorder. The evidence for this framework is reviewed, and we discuss theoretical and clinical implications of our proposal

Substance addictions and suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Evidence from a multi-wave epidemiological study

Substance addiction (SA) is a risk factor of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB), although it is still unclear which SAs are reliably associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt. The current study aimed to meet this goal using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) referring to years from 2008 to 2020. The information extracted included sociodemographic and contextual information, eleven SAs (e.g., nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, pain relievers, heroin, inhalants, hallucinogens, sedatives, stimulants, and tranquillizers), and STB. The analysis revealed that SAs for alcohol, pain relievers, marijuana, and cocaine were stable and reliable predictors for STB (e.g., suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt), while cocaine was not a stable predictor for suicide attempt. The selected SAs model showed a greater predictive accuracy than only sociodemographic and contextual factors as well as not selected SAs. Moreover, selected SAs showed comparable predictive accuracy to the full model. Furthermore, SA to alcohol showed to be an extremely effective predictor of STB, having a comparable predictive accuracy to all the other ten SAs together. In conclusion, SAs to pain relievers, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine can be considered as important risk factors for concurrent STB

Spontaneous Thought and Goal Pursuit: From Functions Such as Planning to Dysfunctions Such as Rumination

Spontaneous thoughts occur by default in the interstices between directed, task-oriented thoughts or moments of perceptual scrutiny. Their contents are overwhelmingly related to thinkers’ current goals, either directly or indirectly via associative networks, including past and future goals. Their evocation is accompanied by emotional responses that vary widely in type, valence, and intensity. Given these properties of thought flow, spontaneous thoughts are highly adaptive as (1) reminders of the individual’s larger agenda of goals while occupied with pursuing any one of them, (2) promotion of planning for future goal pursuits, (3) deeper understanding of past goal-related experiences, and (4) development of creative solutions to problems in goal pursuit. The same mechanisms may occasion repetitive but unproductive thoughts about the pursuit, the consequences of the failure, or the self, and strong negative emotions steering the train of thought may lead to narrowing of its focus, thus producing rumination

Self-Regulation Through Rumination: Consequences and Mechanisms

Self-regulation through rumination: Consequences and mechanism

Breaking the vise of hopelessness: Targeting its components, antecedents, and context

Hopelessness is a painful cognitive state that is related to depression and suicide. Despite its importance, only unsystematic efforts have been made to specifically target hopelessness in interventions, and no comprehensive review is currently available to guide future clinical studies. In this narrative review, we first analyze the phenomenon of hopelessness, by highlighting its components (e.g., dismal expectations, blocked goal-directed processing, and helplessness), antecedents (e.g., inferential styles), and contextual factors (e.g., loneliness and reduced social support). Then, we review the currently available interventions and manipulations that target these mechanisms, either directly or indirectly, and we highlight both their strengths and lacunae. Finally, we propose possible avenues to improve our clinical toolbox for breaking the vise of hopelessness

Temperamental factors in remitted depression: The role of effortful control and attentional mechanisms

Temperamental effortful control and attentional networks are increasingly viewed as important underlying processes in depression and anxiety. However, it is still unknown whether these factors facilitate depressive and anxiety symptoms in the general population and, more specifically, in remitted depressed individuals. We investigated to what extent effortful control and attentional networks (i.e., Attention Network Task) explain concurrent depressive and anxious symptoms in healthy individuals (n\u202f=\u202f270) and remitted depressed individuals (n\u202f=\u202f90). Both samples were highly representative of the US population. Increased effortful control predicted a substantial decrease in symptoms of both depression and anxiety in the whole sample, whereas decreased efficiency of executive attention predicted a modest increase in depressive symptoms. Remitted depressed individuals did not show less effortful control nor less efficient attentional networks than healthy individuals. Moreover, clinical status did not moderate the relationship between temperamental factors and either depressive or anxiety symptoms. Limitations include the cross-sectional nature of the study. Our study shows that temperamental effortful control represents an important transdiagnostic process for depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults

Remitted depression and temperament: The role of effortful control and attentional mechanisms

Temperamental effortful control and attentional networks are increasingly viewed as important underlying processes in depression and anxiety. However, it is still unknown whether these factors facilitate depressive and anxiety symptoms in the general population and, more specifically, in remitted depressed individuals. We investigated to what extent effortful control and attentional networks explain concurrent depressive and anxious symptoms in healthy individuals (n = 270) and remitted depressed individuals (n = 90). Both samples were highly representative of the US population. Effortful control predicted a substantial decrease in symptoms of both depression and anxiety in the whole sample, whereas decreased efficiency of executive attention predicted a modest increase in depressive symptoms. Remitted depressed individuals did not show less effortful control nor less efficient attentional networks than healthy individuals. Moreover, clinical status did not moderate the relationship between temperamental factors and either depressive or anxiety symptoms. Our study shows that temperamental effortful control represents an important transdiagnostic process for depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults