Gambling symptoms, behaviors, and cognitive distortions in Japanese university students

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between symptoms of gambling problems, gambling behaviours, and cognitive distortions among a university student population in Japan ages 20 to 29 years. We aimed to address the gap in knowledge of gambling disorders and treatment for this population. Methods: Data were obtained from 1471 Japanese undergraduate students from 19 universities in Japan. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multivariate regression analysis were used to investigate whether the factors of gambling cognitive distortions would have predictive effects on gambling disorder symptoms. Results: Results indicated that 5.1% of the participants are classifiable as probable disordered gamblers. The bias of the gambling type to pachinko and pachislot was unique to gamblers in Japan. Of the students sampled, 342 self-reported gambling symptoms via the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Hierarchical multivariate regression analysis indicated that one domain of gambling cognitive distortions was associated significantly with gambling symptoms among the 342 symptomatic participants: gambling expectancy (β = 0.19, p < .05). The multivariate model explained 47% of the variance in the gambling symptoms. Conclusion: This study successfully contributed to the sparse research on university student gambling in Japan. Specifically, our results indicated a statistically significant relationship between gambling cognitive distortions and gambling disorder symptoms. These results can inform the development of preventive education and treatment for university students with gambling disorder in Japan. The report also describes needs for future research of university students with gambling disorder

Relationship between cognitive behavioral variables and mental health status among university students: A meta-analysis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for improving mental health problems among university students. However, intervention components have different effects on mental health problems. This paper is a meta-analysis of the data concerning the relationship between cognitive behavioral variables and mental health status among university students. A total of five electronic databases were reviewed, and 876 articles met the initial selection criteria. Reviewers applied standardized coding schemes to extract the correlational relationship between cognitive behavioral variables and mental health status. A total of 55 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Correlations were found for three cognitive behavioral variables (attention, thought, and behavior) across nine mental health domains (negative affect, positive affect, happiness, social function, stress response, psychological symptom, quality of life, well-being, and general health). Across each cognitive behavioral process and all mental health domains, the estimated mean correlation was medium (r = .32 - .46), and varied by the domain of mental health

The Effects of Smoking on Mood, Rapport, and Satisfaction in Conversation among Japanese Smokers in A First Meeting: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Through a randomized control design, this study examines whether tobacco consumption contributes to mood change and social enhancement in dyadic conversation. In addition, we would like to focus on the difference between smoking device and cigarette use. Specifically, we compare the intrapersonal and interpersonal communication in dyadic conversation among the cigarette group, the smoking device cigarette group, the water group, and the nothing consumption group. In the present study, 80 participants engaged in a dyadic, face-to-face, unstructured conversation with a stranger of the same gender. Regarding intrapersonal communication, no significant differences were found between the groups’ POMS 2 subscale scores (anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, depression-dejection, tension-anxiety, fatigue-inertia, vigour-activity, and friendliness). The smoking device and cigarette groups had greater rapport than the water group. Moreover, the smoking device group were more satisfied with dyadic conversation than the water group. Finally, there were no significant differences in verbal communication among the groups

Characteristics of gamers who purchase loot box: a systematic literature review.

Purpose of review: Research has indicated that loot boxes are risky gaming components that could exacerbate Internet gaming disorder due to a link between loot box purchasing and gambling. We conducted a systematic review to identify the characteristics of people who purchase loot boxes with real money, focusing on the relationships (a) between loot boxes and gaming, (b) between loot boxes and gambling, and (c) between loot boxes and other variables. Recent findings: Of the 201 studies examined for eligibility, we reviewed 20 studies that met the predefined criteria, which were extracted by searching electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Ovid, EBSCO, and Web of Science) and the reference lists of included studies, and that were published up to March 27, 2021. Overall, this review identified positive relationships among Internet gaming disorder-related symptoms, disordered gambling symptoms, and engagement with, or investment in, loot boxes. In addition to gaming and gambling, the relationships among some variables, such as mood, gender, physiological state, motivation, and loot box engagement, were examined. Summary: The present review clarified relationships between loot box engagement, gaming, gambling, and other variables, such as mood, gender, physiological state, and motivation, and partially identified the characteristics of people who purchase loot boxes using real money. Specifically, those who spend more money in-game on loot boxes exhibit Internet gaming-related and/or disordered gambling symptoms and behaviors. Finally, we discussed future directions for clinical psychological studies on loot boxes

Cultural Adaptation of the Actionable Health App Evaluation in Japan: Protocol for a Web-Based Modified Delphi Expert Consensus Study

BackgroundWith an increase in both the number of mental health disorders people are experiencing and the difficulty in accessing mental health care, the demand for accessible mental health care services has increased. The use of mobile devices has allowed people to receive care in their daily lives without restrictions on time or location. However, the majority of publicly available mobile health apps are not evidence-based, and the top-rated apps are not always safe or user-friendly and may not offer clinically beneficial results. ObjectiveThis study aims to create a cultural adaptation of the American Psychiatric Association’s comprehensive app evaluation framework in Japan using a web-based modified Delphi expert consensus. MethodsA web-based modified Delphi study includes developing the Japanese version of the comprehensive app evaluation framework and 3 Delphi rounds. In the first round, our working group sends a questionnaire to the panelists, who then complete it. In the second and third rounds, the working group sends a questionnaire and a summary of the panelists’ answers based on each of the previous rounds. The panelists answer the questionnaires based on this summary. The summarization procedure is automated to help reduce the biases that can be generated when panelists’ answers are summarized and when the panelists receive them. The working group sends only the result of the summarization with the next round’s questionnaire. All interactions between the working group and the panelists will be conducted on Qualtrics (Qualtrics Japan LLC), a questionnaire platform. To culturally validate the comprehensive mental health app evaluation framework, participants from the following three categories will be recruited in Japan: (1) researchers, (2) practitioners, and (3) app developers. ResultsThis study received funding from a crowdfunding campaign in Japan (April 2023). The Delphi study began in January 2023 and will be completed in December 2023. We had already completed the translation of the 105 original app evaluation item questions by December 2022. ConclusionsWhile the need for treatment using mental health apps is increasing, no framework that can be used to develop a centralized database for health apps is available or accessible, and no consensus has been reached among stakeholders in Japan about an appropriate framework. The results of the web-based modified Delphi method presented in this paper may provide direction for the development and use of mental health apps in the future among the relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, this study will enhance recognition of the framework among researchers, clinicians, mental health app developers, and users, in addition to devising new instruments to help users or practitioners efficiently choose the right app for their situations. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/4446

The Japanese version of the COVID Stress Scale

Here we present the Japanese version of the COVID Stress Scale (Taylor et al., 2020)