Association of Sociodemographic, Psychopathological and Gambling-Related Factors with Treatment Utilization for Pathological Gambling

Background/Aims: Only a small percentage of pathological gamblers utilizes professional treatment for gambling problems. Little is known about which social and gambling-related factors are associated with treatment utilization. The aim of this study was to look for factors associated with treatment utilization for pathological gambling. Methods: The study followed a sampling design with 3 different recruitment channels, namely (1) a general population-based telephone sample, (2) a gambling location sample and (3) a project telephone hotline. Pathological gambling was diagnosed in a telephone interview. Participants with pathological gambling (n = 395) received an in-depth clinical interview concerning treatment utilization, comorbid psychiatric disorders and social characteristics. Results: Variables associated with treatment were higher age [odds ratio (OR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.08], an increased number of DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.70), more adverse consequences from gambling (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.16) and more social pressure from significant others (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.27). Affective disorders were associated with treatment utilization in the univariate analysis (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.19-2.73), but multivariate analysis showed that comorbid psychiatric disorders were not independently associated. Conclusion: These results indicate that individuals with more severe gambling problems utilize treatment at an older age when more adverse consequences have occurred. Further research should focus on proactive early interventions

Deficits in emotion regulation strategies among problematic and pathological gamblers in a sample of vocational school students

Background and aims: Deficits in emotion regulation (ER) are associated with mental disorders. To date, there are hardly any studies focusing on the role of ER strategies in the context of gambling behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific ER strategies and pathological as well as problematic gambling in a proactively recruited sample. Methods: A large and unselected sample (n = 4,928) has been screened proactively and systematically in vocational schools. We assessed the Affective Style Questionnaire to measure ER strategies and the Stinchfield questionnaire for assessing problematic and pathological gambling. Associations were investigated with linear and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: The analyses showed a significant negative correlation between the subscales “Adjusting” and “Tolerating” and the Stinchfield sum score. Lower scores on these subscales were associated with a higher number of endorsed Stinchfield items. A lower score on the ER strategies “Adjusting” [conditional odds ratio (COR) = 0.95, confidence interval (CI) = 0.91–0.99] and “Tolerating” [COR = 0.95, CI = 0.92–99] led to a higher chance of being classified as a pathological gambler. In problematic gambling, on a subthreshold level, only “Tolerating” turned out to be significant [COR = 0.96, CI = 0.93–0.99]. Discussion and conclusions: For the first time, deficits in specific ER strategies were identified as independent risk factors for problematic and pathological gambling in a large and proactively recruited sample. ER skills, especially acceptance-focused strategies, should be considered in prevention and psychotherapy

Performance of the DSM-5-based criteria for Internet addiction: A factor analytical examination of three samples

Background and aims: The diagnosis “Internet Gaming Disorder” (IGD) has been included in the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, the nine criteria have not been sufficiently reviewed for their diagnostic value. This study focuses on a broader approach of Internet addiction (IA) including other Internet activities. It is not yet clear what the construct of IA is in terms of dimensionality and homogeneity and how the individual criteria contribute to explained variance. Methods: Three separate exploratory factor analyses and multinomial logistic regression analyses were carried out based on information collected from a general population-based sample (n = 196), a sample of people recruited at job centers (n = 138), and a student sample (n = 188). Results: Both of the adult samples show a distinct single-factor solution. The analysis of the student sample suggests a two-factor solution. Only one item (criterion 8: escape from a negative mood) can be assigned to the second factor. Altogether, high endorsement rates of the eighth criterion in all three samples indicate low discriminatory power. Discussion and conclusions: Overall, the analysis shows that the construct of IA is represented one dimensionally by the diagnostic criteria of the IGD. However, the student sample indicates evidence of age-specific performance of the criteria. The criterion “Escape from a negative mood” might be insufficient in discriminating between problematic and non-problematic Internet use. The findings deserve further examination, in particular with respect to the performance of the criteria in different age groups as well as in non-preselected samples

Unaprjeđenje iskorištavanja resursa u tekstilnoj industriji prelaskom na kružno gospodarstvo

Preservation of the Planet Earth and facing of global climate, environmental and societal challenges, require the harmonization of all human resources. The paper presents importance of The European Green Deal and its most important measures - improving resource efficiency by moving towards a clean, circular economy. The principles of the circular economy system, improvements, specialization and modernization of directions for its better and more efficient implementation in the economy and society are described. The situation of textile waste management and the application of the circular economy in the textile industry in the Republic of Croatia, as well as in the European Union, are presented. Additionally, possibilities of textile engineer’s contribution to environmental issues through implementation of sustainability principles in the processes of textile technologies is presented.Za očuvanje planeta Zemlje, a posebno u suočavanju s globalnim klimatskim, ekološkim i socijalnim promjenama, potrebno je ujedinjenje svih ljudskih potencijala. U tom smislu se u radu razmatra značaj Europskog zelenog plana i njegove najvažnije mjere - unaprjeđenje učinkovitog iskorištavanja resursa prelaskom na čisto kružno gospodarstvo. Navedena su načela sustava kružnog gospodarstva, poboljšanja, usavršavanja i osuvremenjivanja smjerova razvitka za što bolju i učinkovitiju implementaciju u gospodarstvo i općenito u društvo. Prikazana je situacija gospodarenja tekstilnim otpadom i primjena kružnog gospodarstva u tekstilnoj industriji u Republici Hrvatskoj, kao i u Europskoj uniji. Dodatno su predstavljene mogućnosti inženjerskog doprinosa u rješavanju problematike zaštite okoliša i održivosti tekstilnih tehnologija, posebno kroz učinkovito korištenje resursa - izborom sirovina i različitih visokoučinkovitih postupaka oplemenjivanja tekstila

Unaprjeđenje iskorištavanja resursa u tekstilnoj industriji prelaskom na kružno gospodarstvo

Preservation of the Planet Earth and facing of global climate, environmental and societal challenges, require the harmonization of all human resources. The paper presents importance of The European Green Deal and its most important measures - improving resource efficiency by moving towards a clean, circular economy. The principles of the circular economy system, improvements, specialization and modernization of directions for its better and more efficient implementation in the economy and society are described. The situation of textile waste management and the application of the circular economy in the textile industry in the Republic of Croatia, as well as in the European Union, are presented. Additionally, possibilities of textile engineer’s contribution to environmental issues through implementation of sustainability principles in the processes of textile technologies is presented.Za očuvanje planeta Zemlje, a posebno u suočavanju s globalnim klimatskim, ekološkim i socijalnim promjenama, potrebno je ujedinjenje svih ljudskih potencijala. U tom smislu se u radu razmatra značaj Europskog zelenog plana i njegove najvažnije mjere - unaprjeđenje učinkovitog iskorištavanja resursa prelaskom na čisto kružno gospodarstvo. Navedena su načela sustava kružnog gospodarstva, poboljšanja, usavršavanja i osuvremenjivanja smjerova razvitka za što bolju i učinkovitiju implementaciju u gospodarstvo i općenito u društvo. Prikazana je situacija gospodarenja tekstilnim otpadom i primjena kružnog gospodarstva u tekstilnoj industriji u Republici Hrvatskoj, kao i u Europskoj uniji. Dodatno su predstavljene mogućnosti inženjerskog doprinosa u rješavanju problematike zaštite okoliša i održivosti tekstilnih tehnologija, posebno kroz učinkovito korištenje resursa - izborom sirovina i različitih visokoučinkovitih postupaka oplemenjivanja tekstila

The role of self-esteem in Internet addiction within the context of comorbid mental disorders: Findings from a general population-based sample

Background and aims: Internet Addiction (IA) has consistently been related to comorbid psychiatric disorders and lowered self-esteem. However, most studies relied on self-report questionnaires using non-representative samples. This study aims to analyze the relative impact of self-esteem and comorbid psychopathology with lifetime IA in a population-based sample of excessive Internet users using clinical diagnoses assessed in a personal interview. Methods: The sample of this study is based on a general population survey. Using the Compulsive Internet Use Scale, all participants with elevated Internet use scores were selected and invited to a follow-up interview. Current DSM-5 criteria for Internet gaming disorder were rephrased to apply to all Internet activities. Out of 196 participants, 82 fulfilled the criteria for IA. Self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Results: Self-esteem is significantly associated with IA. For every unit increase in self-esteem, the chance of having IA decreased by 11%. By comparison, comorbidities such as substance-use disorder (excluding tobacco), mood disorder, and eating disorder were significantly more likely among Internet-addicted than in the non-addicted group. This could not be reported for anxiety disorders. A logistic regression showed that by adding self-esteem and psychopathology into the same model, self-esteem maintains its strong influence on IA. Discussion and conclusions: Self-esteem was associated with IA, even after adjustment for substance-use disorders, mood disorder, and eating disorder. Self-esteem and psychopathology should be considered in prevention, intervention measures, as well as in the conception of etiological models

The association between Internet addiction and personality disorders in a general population-based sample

Background and aims Data on Internet addiction (IA) and its association with personality disorder are rare. Previous studies are largely restricted to clinical samples and insufficient measurement of IA. Methods Cross-sectional analysis data are based on a German sub-sample (n = 168; 86 males; 71 meeting criteria for IA) with increased levels of excessive Internet use derived from a general population sample (n = 15,023). IA was assessed with a comprehensive standardized interview using the structure of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder as suggested in DSM-5. Impulsivity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and self-esteem were assessed with the widely used questionnaires. Results Participants with IA showed higher frequencies of personality disorders (29.6%) compared to those without IA (9.3%; p < .001). In males with IA, Cluster C personality disorders were more prevalent than among non-addicted males. Compared to participants who had IA only, lower rates of remission of IA were found among participants with IA and additional cluster B personality disorder. Personality disorders were significantly associated with IA in multivariate analysis. Discussion and conclusion: Comorbidity of IA and personality disorders must be considered in prevention and treatment

Assessment of Problematic Internet Use by the Compulsive Internet Use Scale and the Internet Addiction Test: A Sample of Problematic and Pathological Gamblers

This study aims to analyze psychometric properties and validity of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and, second, to determine a threshold for the CIUS which matches the IAT cut-off for detecting problematic Internet use. A total of 292 subjects with problematic or pathological gambling (237 men, 55 women) aged 14-63 years and with private Internet use for at least 1 h per working or weekend day were recruited via different recruitment channels. Results include that both scales were internally consistent (Cronbach's α = 0.9) and had satisfactory convergent validity (r = 0.75; 95% CI 0.70-0.80). The correlation with duration of private Internet use per week was significantly higher for the CIUS (r = 0.54) compared to the IAT (r = 0.40). Among all participants, 25.3% were classified as problematic Internet users based on the IAT with a cut-off ≥40. The highest proportion of congruent classified cases results from a CIUS cut-off ≥18 (sensitivity 79.7%, specificity 79.4%). However, a higher cut-off (≥21) seems to be more appropriate for prevalence estimation of problematic Internet use

Medien und Asyl - Methodenausbildung mit Anwendungsbezug als Chance und Herausforderung

Das Lehr-Lern-Projekt “Medien und Asyl” kombinierte Forschungs- und Anwendungsbezug in der universitären Hochschullehre. Der Beitrag diskutiert die didaktischen Herausforderungen eines solchen Lehrforschungsprojekts mit Service Learning- Orientierung, und wie diese adressiert wurden. In der Darstellung des Ablaufs wird der konsekutive Charakter des dreisemestrigen Projekts deutlich. Die finale Phase der Medienkonzeption wird dabei ausführlicher vorgestellt. Abschließend wird die Bedeutung fortlaufender Evaluation und Anpassung des Projektablaufs als methodischer Schlüssel zum Gelingen identifiziert

App-Based Coaching to Prevent Addictive Behaviors among Young Adults

Abstract: Background: Vocational students have an increased risk to engage in health-risk behaviors compared to same-aged peers. To date, evidence-based digital prevention approaches that address multiple health-risk behaviors are rare. Method: The randomized-controlled trial (RCT) “Prevention of at-risk substance and Internet use disorders among vocational students” (PARI) investigates the efficacy of an app-based prevention approach compared to a waitlist-control condition. The aim is to prevent substance-related and behavioral addictions and improve life skills. An existing app (ready4life) was adapted under consideration of focus groups with teachers, prevention experts, and students. A Delphi expert group rated the quality of the approach. The efficacy of the modified ready4life app is currently being tested in a RCT. The proactive recruitment takes place in German vocational schools. After participating in an app-based screening (T0), participants get individualized feedback and will be cluster-randomized per class to the intervention group (IG; n=1.250) or control group (CG; n=1.250). The IG chooses two out of six modules: Social competence, stress management, cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, social media/gaming. The CG receives information on how to improve health behaviors. Follow-ups are conducted after 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2). Conclusion: This RCT provides data on a multibehavioral prevention approach for vocational students. Final results are expected in 2023