Examining Trait Mindfulness as a Moderator of the Mediating Relationship Between Social Anxiety, Coping Motives, and Substance-Related Consequences

The present research examined the mediating relationship between social anxiety, drinking to cope with social anxiety, and alcohol-related consequences. Additionally, this study examined the mediating relationship between social anxiety, using cannabis to cope with social anxiety and cannabis-related consequences. Furthermore, this study examined whether or not trait mindfulness exhibited a moderating effect on both of these mediation relationships which have been previously observed in the literature. The study consisted of students recruited through the psychology research participant pool at a mid-sized southeastern university. Two data sets were created based on type of substance use (alcohol or cannabis). The majority of participants in each sample were female (n = 166, 68.3% for alcohol; n = 168, 67.5% for cannabis) and reported a mean age of 21. Participants completed measures of social anxiety, alcohol use, cannabis use, drinking to cope with social anxiety, using cannabis to cope with social anxiety, alcohol-related consequences, cannabis-related consequences, and trait mindfulness. The present study found partial support for The Biopsychosocial model of social anxiety and substance use, as well as cognitive models of both social anxiety and substance abuse. In particular, it was found that the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol-related consequences was mediated by drinking to cope with social anxiety. This same pattern of mediation was also observed in the relationship between social anxiety and cannabis-related consequences, which was mediated by using cannabis to cope with social anxiety. Further, this study examined relationships between trait mindfulness and both alcohol- and cannabis-related variables, including alcohol and cannabis use, using alcohol and cannabis to cope, and alcohol- and cannabis-related consequences. It was found that trait mindfulness moderated the mediating effect of using cannabis to cope with social anxiety on the relationship between social anxiety and cannabis related problems

The Relationship Between Social Anxiety and Alcohol and Marijuana Use Outcomes Among Concurrent Users: A Motivational Model of Substance Use

Background: College students with more social anxiety symptoms are particularly vulnerable to problematic alcohol and marijuana use given their susceptibility for elevated anxiety symptoms in social settings combined with the normative nature of substance use. Existing research has established substance use as coping motivated for these students when examining alcohol and marijuana use problems separately. The next step is to determine whether students with more social anxiety who use both substances do so for similar or different reasons. The current study tested a comprehensive (i.e., all variables in the same model) motivational model of alcohol/marijuana use in a sample of college students from 10 universities across the United States who endorsed both past-month alcohol and marijuana use. Methods: College students were recruited through psychology department participant pools and completed an online survey assessing mental health symptoms, substance use motives, and substances use behaviors. Current sample comprised concurrent alcohol/marijuana users (n = 2,034), 29.6% of whom endorsed clinically indicated levels of social anxiety and nearly one-fourth exceeded the cutoff for hazardous drinking (23.2%) and hazardous marijuana use (21.9%). Results: Across both substances, coping motives significantly mediated the positive relationship between social anxiety symptoms and substance use problems. Unique to alcohol, conformity motives mediated the association between social anxiety symptoms and alcohol-related problems. Conclusions: Taken together, students with more social anxiety who are focused on anxiety management may use either alcohol or marijuana; however, these students may experience more alcohol-related problems when drinking to fit in with peers

Social interest and social bonding: understanding collegiate hazardous drinking and marijuana use

The purpose of the current study was to examine both social interest and social bonding in relation to collegiate hazardous drinking and marijuana use. Social interest is a component of Adler's Individual Psychology and refers to one's interest in the welfare of others (Ansbacher, 1992). This construct has been linked to substance abuse in light of Adler's assertions that alcohol and drug abuse are consequences of the failure to develop social interest (Adler, 1956). Social bonding, developed by Travis Hirschi, is a construct stemming from Control Theory. Hirschi posited that one's bond to society is created by four elements, namely, attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. He asserted that strong social bonding curbs delinquent behavior, which includes all acts punishable by agents of society if discovered, including illegal alcohol and marijuana use (Hirschi, 1969). Therefore, this study examined the relationship between the internal construct of social interest and the external construct of social bonding on college substance abuse in an effort to better understand those students at-risk for hazardous drinking and marijuana use. The sample consisted of 300 full-time undergraduate students who completed a 102 item survey packet. The results of the study supported the notion that social interest and social bonding are related to collegiate hazardous drinking and marijuana use. Specifically, the results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that the social bonding variables of Religious Commitment, Conventional Beliefs, and Respect for Authority accounted for 21% of the variance in collegiate hazardous drinking. Additionally, the results of two omnibus MANOVA tests revealed that both social interest and social bonding variables significantly differed between groups of marijuana users ranging from nonusers to daily users, and significantly differed between substance abuse configurations including those who neither engage in hazardous drinking nor marijuana use, engage in hazardous drinking only, engage in marijuana use only, or engage in both substance abusing behaviors. Finally, the results of a discriminant function analysis indicated that Religious Commitment, Conventional Beliefs, and Respect for Authority were significant predictors of membership in the substance abuse configuration groups. These results have implications for counselors and counselor educators. Counselors working with collegiate populations may benefit by addressing social interest and social bonding elements with their clients through assessments and interventions, as well as incorporating these constructs into their conceptualizations and treatment plans. Counselor educators may best serve counselors-in-training by infusing the constructs of social interest and social bonding into course curriculum. Finally, these results have implications for future research. In the future, researchers should explore each of the significant social interest and social bonding variables that contributed to differences between groups of college students engaged in various configurations of substance abuse

Substance Use in Young Swiss Men: The Interplay of Perceived Social Support and Dispositional Characteristics.

Social environment plays a central role in substance use behaviors. However, it is not clear whether its role varies as a function of individual dispositional characteristics. To investigate the interaction between dispositional characteristics (i.e. sensation seeking, anxiety/neuroticism) and social environment (i.e. perceived social support [PSS]) in association with substance use. A representative sample of 5,377 young Swiss males completed a questionnaire assessing substance use, sensation seeking, anxiety/neuroticism, and PSS from friends and from a significant other. Sensation seeking and anxiety/neuroticism were positively related to most substance use outcomes. PSS from friends was significantly and positively related to most alcohol and cannabis use outcomes, and significantly and negatively associated with the use of hard drugs. PSS from a significant other was significantly and negatively associated with most alcohol and cannabis use outcomes. The associations of sensation seeking with drinking volume, alcohol use disorder and the use of illicit drugs other than cannabis were stronger in individuals reporting high levels of PSS from friends than those with low levels. The associations of sensation seeking with risky single-occasion drinking and the use of hard drugs were weaker in participants reporting high levels of PSS from a significant other than in those with low levels. Sensation seeking and anxiety/neuroticism may constitute risk factors for substance use and misuse. PSS from friends may amplify the risk for alcohol and illicit drug use (other than cannabis) associated with high sensation seeking, whereas the PSS from a significant other may reduce it

An internalizing pathway to alcohol and substance use disorders

Research emanating from the field of developmental science indicates that initial risk factors for substance use disorder can be evident in early childhood. One dominant developmental pathway connecting these initial risk factors with subsequent substance use disorders focuses on the central role of disinhibited or externalizing behaviors. In the current paper, we delineate a second pathway that focuses on problems with emotion regulation associated with internalizing symptomatology. Several studies indicate that internalizing symptoms in early and middle childhood predict substance involvement in adolescents and young adulthood. We describe a risk model that traces the potential developmental markers of this internalizing pathway to substance use disorders and that identifies a population potentially vulnerable to this risk process, namely children of alcoholic parents. We consider the relation between the internalizing pathway and the more widely researched externalizing pathway. We then conclude with a discussion of the implications of this model for prevention efforts. In this manner, we strive for a translational goal, linking our existing understanding of internalizing processes and substance use disorders with our efforts to develop effective prevention programs

Williams Hierarchical Integrated Model Measurement: Assessment Design, Construction, and Initial Validation

The purpose of this study was to design and pilot an instrument, the WHIMM, that uses the Williams Hierarchical Integrated Model as a foundation for measuring needs met within and outside of substance use for individuals age 18 and older who report previously considering cutting down on alcohol or drug use. Instrument construction and validation were completed using a first pilot (n=200), a pilot one-re-contact (n=50), and a final administration (n=420). The scale development process allowed for initial validation of the WHIMM, including measurement of inter-item reliability, test-retest reliability, correlation between subscales, and construct validity. In addition, a scoring metric was developed to allow an individual’s WHIMM results to be interpreted based upon the national normative sample used for the present study. The overall WHIMM and each of the subscales for the Global and Substance Use forms yielded Cronbach’s alpha inter-item reliability coefficients equal to or greater than .90. Test-retest reliability for the WHIMM Global and Substance Use forms was generally adequate with the majority of subscales producing a minimum test-retest reliability coefficient of .70. The construct validity tests of the WHIMM demonstrated that the constructs measured by the WHIMM differ substantially from the constructs that are measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; Babor, Higgins-Biddle, Saunders, & Monteiro, 2001) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST; Skinner, 1982). Exploratory factor analysis loosely supported the Williams Hierarchical Integrated Model’s discrete but interrelated elements. There were statistically-significant differences between scores on the WHIMM Global and WHIMM Substance Use forms. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are also presented

Substance Use among Youth in Community and Residential Mental Health Care Facilities in Ontario, Canada

There is a need to improve the integration of substance use and mental health care for children and youth. This study examines risk and protective factors for substance use among youth with mental health conditions who received community-based or residential care services between 2012–2020 in Ontario, Canada. In this study, a cross-sectional design was used to examine patterns and factors associated with substance use among youth (12–18 years) assessed in the community (n = 47,418) and residential (n = 700) mental health care facilities in Ontario, Canada. Youth were assessed with the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Assessment (ChYMH). Substance use is identified by any substance use (including alcohol) 14 to 30 days prior to assessment. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to examine clinical, psychosocial, and environmental factors associated with substance use. This study shows that 22.3% of youth reported the use of substances in the community settings and 37% in residential settings. Older age group (Youth older than 16 years), being a victim of abuse, having experienced self-injurious ideation/at-tempt, being at risk of disrupted education, and having a parent/caregiver with addiction or substance use disorder were significantly associated with substance use. Several factors reduced the risk of substance use, including being a female, having anxiety symptoms, and having cognition problems. In conclusion, the study found that individual and parental factors increase youth’s risk of substance use, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach that includes consideration of social and biological risk factors to prevention/risk reduction, risk assessment, management, and recovery

The (co-)occurrence of problematic video gaming, substance use, and psychosocial problems in adolescents

Aims. The current study explored the nature of problematic (addictive) video gaming and the association with game type, psychosocial health, and substance use. Methods. Data were collected using a paper and pencil survey in the classroom setting. Three samples were aggregated to achieve a total sample of 8478 unique adolescents. Scales included measures of game use, game type, the Video game Addiction Test (VAT), depressive mood, negative self-esteem, loneliness, social anxiety, education performance, and use of cannabis, alcohol and nicotine (smoking). Results. Findings confirmed problematic gaming is most common amongst adolescent gamers who play multiplayer online games. Boys (60%) were more likely to play online games than girls (14%) and problematic gamers were more likely to be boys (5%) than girls (1%). High problematic gamers showed higher scores on depressive mood, loneliness, social anxiety, negative self-esteem, and self-reported lower school performance. Nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis using boys were almost twice more likely to report high PVG than non-users. Conclusions. It appears that online gaming in general is not necessarily associated with problems. However, problematic gamers do seem to play online games more often, and a small subgroup of gamers – specifically boys – showed lower psychosocial functioning and lower grades. Moreover, associations with alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use are found. It would appear that problematic gaming is an undesirable problem for a small subgroup of gamers. The findings encourage further exploration of the role of psychoactive substance use in problematic gaming

Beyond the Lines: Exploring the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on NCAA Student-Athlete Health

Emerging research has highlighted a link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and various health concerns experienced by NCAA student-athletes. Building on prior work (Kaier, Cromer, Davis, & Strunk, 2015), we hypothesized that ACEs would significantly predict student-athletes’ biopsychosocial (BPS) health and that spirituality would serve as a protective factor against the effect of ACEs on BPS health outcomes. Division I, II, and III NCAA student-athletes (N = 477) representing 20 sports across 53 universities completed an online quantitative survey (k = 133) that assessed for ACEs, injury/physical health concerns, anxiety, depression, stress, social support, substance use, and spirituality. Nearly two-thirds (64.5%) of student-athletes endorsed at least one ACE. Structural Equation Models (SEMs) yielded significant positive relationships between ACEs and anxiety, depression, perceived stress, injury/health problems, and substance use, and a negative relationship with social support while controlling for sex, race, school, and division. Additionally, spirituality had a significant negative effect on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, injury/health problems, and substance use, and a positive effect on social support. SEM moderation analyses indicated that spirituality only moderated the relationship between ACEs and substance use. Specifically, at average and high levels of spirituality, the relationship between ACEs and substance use was stronger. Clinical implications, study limitations, and future research directions are discussed

Mind the dad–A review on the biopsychosocial influences of drug abuse on father-infant interaction

Substance use disorder (SUD) is an issue of concern that can have inter- generational impacts. Fathers affected by this disorder can exhibit atypical parenting that leaves pronounced, adverse consequences for the child, espe cially during a critical window for development, such as neonatal life and infancy. However, factors sustaining paternal drug use and its associated health outcomes remain elusive. The present review provides a systematic literature search of the scientific evidence published until February 2021 on PubMed Central, Scopus, PsycInfo, and PubMed databases. Adopting a biopsychosocial model, this review provides comprehensive insights into the issue, detailing: (i) the neurobiological correlates of paternal substance use and atypical parenting mechanisms, (ii) influence of drug consumption on paternal psychological state, and (iii) the social environment modulating the social dynamics central to fathers with SUD. Attention is also paid to the bidirectional relationships between paternal drug abuse and fatherhood, which has been severely neglected so far. Findings shed new light on the importance of paternal contributions to the father-child interaction, supporting the formulation of more targeted multidisciplinary interventions aimed at restoring such a crucial and overlooked relationship.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio