Multiplex Familial Risk for Alcohol Use Disorders and Substance Use Disorder Outcome: The Mediating Effects of Social Functioning

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are associated with deficits in social cognition, the mental processes involved in perceiving, attending to, remembering, thinking about, and making sense of the people in our social world. Consistent findings of impaired theory of mind and affective face processing in AUD raise questions as to whether these deficits are the consequence of neural damage associated with AUD or potentially reflect premorbid risk for alcohol-related problems. Offspring with a family history of AUD are at increased risk for substance use disorders (SUD), and some research suggests that alcohol-naïve, high-risk offspring also have deficits in social-cognitive functioning. However, evidence linking premorbid social-cognitive functioning to SUD outcome has not yet been established. Accordingly, this dissertation sought to examine specific measures of social functioning, thought to reflect underlying social-cognitive abilities, and their relationship to both familial risk status and SUD outcome. The sample included high-risk offspring (n = 137) from multiplex, alcohol-dependent families and low-risk controls (n = 122) from an ongoing longitudinal study comprising 2,387 separate evaluations. Risk-group differences were examined on parent-report measures of social competence and social problems collected during childhood, self-report measures of social support from parents and friends during adolescence, and self-report measures of personality administered in young adulthood. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine relationships between familial risk status, social functioning, adolescent alcohol use, and SUD outcome. Compared to low-risk controls, high-risk offspring had poorer performance on measures of social functioning administered during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, higher rates of alcohol use during adolescence, and increased likelihood of developing SUD by young adulthood. Further, the relationship between familial risk status and SUD outcome was partially mediated by social competence in childhood, by alcohol use in adolescence, and in association with social connectedness and alienation in young adulthood. This dissertation provides preliminary evidence that social functioning is impaired among high-risk offspring before the onset of regular alcohol use and that these deficits confer additional risk for SUD above and beyond the influence of familial risk. Interventions targeting social functioning may improve outcomes among youth at high familial risk for AUD

Investigating the build-up of precedence effect using reflection masking

The auditory processing level involved in the build‐up of precedence [Freyman et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 90, 874–884 (1991)] has been investigated here by employing reflection masked threshold (RMT) techniques. Given that RMT techniques are generally assumed to address lower levels of the auditory signal processing, such an approach represents a bottom‐up approach to the buildup of precedence. Three conditioner configurations measuring a possible buildup of reflection suppression were compared to the baseline RMT for four reflection delays ranging from 2.5–15 ms. No buildup of reflection suppression was observed for any of the conditioner configurations. Buildup of template (decrease in RMT for two of the conditioners), on the other hand, was found to be delay dependent. For five of six listeners, with reflection delay=2.5 and 15 ms, RMT decreased relative to the baseline. For 5‐ and 10‐ms delay, no change in threshold was observed. It is concluded that the low‐level auditory processing involved in RMT is not sufficient to realize a buildup of reflection suppression. This confirms suggestions that higher level processing is involved in PE buildup. The observed enhancement of reflection detection (RMT) may contribute to active suppression at higher processing levels

The relationship between challenge and threat states and performance: A systematic review

The biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat states specifies that these states engender different physiological and behavioral responses in potentially stressful situations. This model has received growing interest in the sport and performance psychology literature. The present systematic review examined whether a challenge state is associated with superior performance than a threat state. Across 38 published studies that conceptualized challenge and threat states in a manner congruent with the biopsychosocial model, support emerged for the performance benefits of a challenge state. There was, however, significant variation in the reviewed studies in terms of the measures of challenge and threat states, tasks, and research designs. The benefits of a challenge state on performance were largely consistent across studies using cognitive, physiological, and dichotomous challenge and threat measures, cognitive and behavioral tasks, and direct experimental, indirect experimental, correlational, and quasi-experimental designs. The results imply that sports coaches, company directors, and teachers might benefit from trying to promote a challenge state in their athletes, employees, and students, respectively. Future research could benefit from a greater consensus on how best to measure challenge and threat states to help synthesize the evidence across studies. Specifically, we recommend that researchers use both cognitive and physiological measures and develop stronger manipulations for experimental studies. Finally, future research should report sufficient information to enable risk of bias assessment

Cardiovascular and Cerebral Hemodynamic Responses to Ego Depletion in a Pressurized Sporting Task

This study examined the effects of ego depletion on challenge and threat states and cerebral haemodynamic responses to a pressurized muscular endurance task requiring self-control. Following ethical approval, 58 participants (39 males, 19 females; Mage = 28 years, SD = 12) were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Participants then completed self-report measures of trait anxiety and self-control. Next, the experimental group performed a written transcription task requiring self-control, while the control group transcribed the text normally. Finally, before the pressurized muscular endurance task, challenge and threat states were assessed using demand and resource evaluations and cardiovascular reactivity; while cerebral perfusion in Fp1 and Fp2 was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy. The results supported the effectiveness of the self-control manipulation, with the experimental group transcribing fewer words, making more errors, and regulating their writing habits more than the control group. Although there were no differences between the groups in terms of muscular endurance performance or challenge and threat states, there was a significant interaction of time (pre vs. post) x group (experimental vs. control) in cerebral perfusion. These findings suggest that ego depletion might not influence challenge and threat states, but may lead to reduced cerebral perfusion. As such, cerebral perfusion may be a novel marker which could be used to assess ego depletion

Identification of possible cow grazing behaviour indicators for restricted grass availability in a pasture-based spring calving dairy system

peer-reviewedPrecision livestock farming uses biosensors to measure different parameters of individual animals to support farmers in the decision making process. Although sensor development is advanced, there is still little implementation of sensor-based solutions on commercial farms. Especially on pasture-based dairy systems, the grazing management of cows is largely not supported by technology. A key factor in pasture-based milk production is the correct grass allocation to maximize the grass utilization per cow, while optimizing cow performance. Currently, grass allocation is mostly based on subjective eye measurements or calculations per herd. The aim of this study was to identify possible indicators of insufficient or sufficient grass allocation in the cow grazing behaviour measures. A total number of 30 cows were allocated a restricted pasture allowance of 60% of their intake capacity. Their behavioural characteristics were compared to those of 10 cows (control group) with pasture allowance of 100% of their intake capacity. Grazing behaviour and activity of cows were measured using the RumiWatchSystem for a complete experimental period of 10 weeks. The results demonstrated that the parameter of bite frequency was significantly different between the restricted and the control groups. There were also consistent differences observed between the groups for rumination time per day, rumination chews per bolus and frequency of cows standing or lying

A multi-centre study of adults with learning disabilities referred to services for antisocial or offending behaviour: demographic, individual, offending and service characteristics

This study was carried out as part of a larger study commissioned by the UK Department of Health to investigate the service pathways for offenders with learning disabilities (LD). The study covered three health regions in the UK and included 477 people with LD referred to services because of antisocial or offending behaviour during a 12-month period. Data were collected concerning demographic, individual, offending behaviour and service characteristics. The findings of the study are broadly consistent with contemporary research concerning this population, particularly in relation to the nature and frequency of offending, history of offending, psychopathology, age and gender distribution. However, very few of those referred had any form of structured care plan, despite having significant offending histories, and this may have compromised early identification of their needs and communication between the health, social and other services involved

Cardiovascular and Cerebral Hemodynamic Responses to Ego Depletion in a Pressurized Sporting Task

This study examined the effects of ego depletion on challenge and threat states and cerebral hemodynamic responses to a pressurized muscular endurance task requiring self-control. Following the ethical approval, 58 participants (39 male, 19 female; M age = 28 years, SD = 12) were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Participants then completed self-report measures of trait anxiety and self-control. Next, the experimental group performed a written transcription task requiring self-control, whereas the control group transcribed the text normally. Finally, before the pressurized muscular endurance task, challenge and threat states were assessed using demand and resource evaluations and cardiovascular reactivity, whereas cerebral perfusion in the frontopolar region (Fp1 and Fp2) was assessed using nearinfrared spectroscopy. The results supported the effectiveness of the self-control manipulation, with the experimental group transcribing fewer words, making more errors, and regulating their writing habits more than the control group. Although there were no differences between the groups in terms of muscular endurance performance or challenge and threat states, there was a significant interaction of Time (Pre vs. Post) × Group (Experimental vs. Control) in cerebral perfusion. These findings suggest that ego-depletion might not influence challenge and threat states but may lead to reduced cerebral perfusion. As such, cerebral perfusion may be a novel marker that could be used to assess ego depletion. </p

Referrals into services for offenders with intellectual disabilities: variables predicting community or secure provision

Background There is a need for research to promote an understanding among service developers on why people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are referred to offender services in order for them to receive appropriate assessment and treatment. Previous studies investigating referrals into forensic ID services have concentrated on referral sources and administrative variables such as legal status. Aims To construct a predictive model for choice of service referral based on a comprehensive range of information about the clientele. Method We conducted a case record study of 336 people referred to community services and 141 to secure provision. We gathered information on referral source, demographics, diagnosis, index behaviour, prior problem behaviours and history of abuse. Results Comparisons revealed 19 candidate variables which were then entered into multivariate logistic regression. The resulting model retained six variables: community living at time of referral, physical aggression, being charged, referral from tertiary health care, diverse problem behaviour and IQ < 50, which correctly predicted the referral pathway for 85.7% of cases. Conclusions An index act of physical aggression and a history of diversity of problem behaviours as predictors against the likelihood of community service referral suggest that professionals have similar concerns about people with ID as they do about their more average offending peers; however, the more severe levels of ID mitigated in favour of community referral, regardless. Offenders with ID tend to be referred within levels of service rather than between them, for example, form tertiary services into generic community services

A comparison of sex offenders and other types of offenders referred to intellectual disability forensic services

This study compared 131 sex offenders with ID and 346 other types of offenders with ID using case file records. All the females in the study were non sexual offenders. Significantly more sexual offenders were referred from court and criminal justice services while significantly fewer were referred from secondary healthcare. A higher percentage of sex offenders had some form of legal status at time of referral. Greater proportions of non sexual offenders were referred for aggression, damage to property, substance abuse and fire setting while only the sex offenders had an index sex offence. For previous offending, the non sexual offenders had higher rates of aggression, cruelty and neglect of children, property damage and substance abuse while the sexual offenders had higher rates of previous sexual offending. For psychiatric disturbance and adversity in childhood, only ADHD showed a significant difference between groups with the non sexual offenders recording higher rates