Drug Use Changes at the Individual Level: Results from a Longitudinal, Multisite Survey in Young Europeans Frequenting the Nightlife Scene

Background: Monitoring emerging trends in the increasingly dynamic European drug market is vital; however, information on change at the individual level is scarce. In the current study, we investigated changes in drug use over 12 months in European nightlife attendees. Method: In this longitudinal online survey, changes in substances used, use frequency in continued users, and relative initiation of use at follow-up were assessed for 20 different substances. To take part, participants had to be aged 18–34 years; be from Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, or the UK; and have attended at least 6 electronic music events in the past 12 months at baseline. Of 8,045 volunteers at baseline, 2,897 completed the survey at both time points (36% follow-up rate), in 2017 and 2018. Results: The number of people using ketamine increased by 21% (p < 0.001), and logarithmized frequency of use in those continuing use increased by 15% (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.07–0.23). 4-Fluoroamphetamine use decreased by 27% (p < 0.001), and logarithmized frequency of use in continuing users decreased by 15% (p < 0.001, 95% CI: −0.48 to −0.23). The drugs with the greatest proportion of relative initiation at follow-up were synthetic cannabinoids (73%, N = 30), mephedrone (44%, N = 18), alkyl nitrites (42%, N = 147), synthetic dissociatives (41%, N = 15), and prescription opioids (40%, N = 48). Conclusions: In this European nightlife sample, ketamine was found to have the biggest increase in the past 12 months, which occurred alongside an increase in frequency of use in continuing users. The patterns of uptake and discontinuation of alkyl nitrates, novel psychoactive substances, and prescription opioids provide new information that has not been captured by existing cross-sectional surveys. These findings demonstrate the importance of longitudinal assessments of drug use and highlight the dynamic nature of the European drug landscape.

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Factors Associated with Perceived Trust of False Abortion Websites: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25323 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarina Rebecca Chaiken ◽

Lisa Han ◽

Blair G Darney ◽

Leo Han

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Correlation Matrices ◽

Individual Level ◽

Perceived Trust ◽

Neutral Site ◽

Design Characteristics ◽

The Individual

BACKGROUND The majority of patients use the internet to search for health information. While there is a vast repository of searchable information online, much of the content is unregulated and therefore potentially incorrect, conflicting, or confusing. Abortion information online is particularly prone to being inaccurate as anti-choice websites publish purposefully misleading information in formats that appear as neutral resources. To understand how anti-choice websites appear neutral, we need to understand the specific website features of anti-choice features that impart trust to viewers. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify characteristics of false or misleading abortion websites that make these websites appear trustworthy to the public. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study using Amazon.com Inc’s Mechanical Turk platform. We used validated questionnaires to ask participants to rate eleven anti-choice sites and one neutral site identified by experts, focusing on site content, creators, and design. We collected socio-demographic data and participant views on abortion. We used a composite measure of “mean overall trust” as our primary outcome. Using correlation matrices, we determined which website characteristics were most associated with overall trust. Finally, we used linear regression to identify participant characteristics associated with overall trust. RESULTS Our analytic sample included 498 participants ranging from ages 22 to 70, 50.1% of whom identified as female. Across eleven anti-choice sites, creator trust (“I believe that the creators of this site are honest and trustworthy”) had the highest correlation coefficient with overall trust (0.70). Professional appearance (0.59), look and feel (0.59), perception that the information is created by experts (0.59), association with a trustworthy organization (0.58), valued features and functionalities (0.54), and interactive capabilities (0.52) all demonstrated strong relationships with overall trust. At the individual level, pro-choice leaning was associated with higher overall trust of the neutral site (B: -0.43, CI: -0.87, 0.01) and lower overall trust of the anti-choice sites (B: 0.52, CI: 0.05, .99). CONCLUSIONS The overall trustworthiness of anti-choice websites is most associated with design characteristics and perceived trustworthiness of the site creator. Those who believe that access to abortion should be limited are more likely to trust anti-choice websites.

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The Idiographic Ising model

10.31234/osf.io/h3ka5 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Maarten Marsman

Keyword(s):

Ising Model ◽

Graphical Models ◽

Topological Structure ◽

Graphical Model ◽

Group Level ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Individual Level ◽

The Past ◽

Psychological Data ◽

The Individual

The Ising model is a graphical model that has played an essential role in the field of network psychometrics, where it has been used as a theoretical model to re-conceptualize psychometric concepts and as a statistical model for the analysis of psychological data. But in network psychometrics, the psychological data that are analyzed often come from cross-sectional applications, and the practice of using graphical models such as the Ising model to analyze these data has been heavily critiqued in the past few years. The primary voiced concern centers around the inability of the Ising model to express heterogeneity in the population, and the necessity to then assume that the population is homogeneous w.r.t. the network's structure in practice. But associations at the group-level may be entirely different from associations at the individual level, and it is unclear what the estimated relations from cross-sectional data imply for associations at the individual level. In this paper, an idiographic interpretation of the Ising model is developed that does not require that persons are exchangeable replications of a single topological structure. Working with a clear, formal connection between network relations at the individual- and the group level, we have unique topological structures that characterize individuals and aggregate into an Ising model cross-sectionally.

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Reducing loneliness among older adults through providing free travel access: A population-based assessment of social isolation and free bus travel in older adults in England

10.31234/osf.io/qd4r6 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Jackson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Population Group ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Odds ◽

The Past ◽

Frequency Of Use

Objective: To investigate associations of ownership and use of concessionary bus passes (CBP) with social isolation and loneliness among older adults in England.Methods: In 2012/13, participants (n=4,726, age ≥62y) reported whether they had a CBP and if yes, frequency of use in the past month (0/1-5/≥6 times). Social isolation and loneliness were assessed in 2012/13 and 2016/17. Logistic regression tested cross-sectional and prospective associations, adjusted for socio-demographics.Results: CBP ownership was cross-sectionally associated with reduced odds of social isolation (OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.55-0.84) and loneliness (OR=0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.91). Among CBP owners, those who had used it ≥6 times had lower odds of being isolated than those who hadn’t used it at all (OR=0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.89). Longitudinally, CBP ownership was associated with reduced odds of loneliness (OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.49-0.94) at four-year follow-up. A similar effect size was observed for social isolation (OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.46-1.04) but this did not reach significance (p=0.074). Frequency of use was not significantly associated with isolation or loneliness.Conclusion: The CBP scheme in England facilitates social interaction for older adults. CBPs may present a promising initiative for tackling social isolation which is currently a particularly prominent issue in this population group.

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Understanding Food Waste, Food Insecurity, and the Gap between the Two: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030681 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 681

Author(s):

Nora A. Althumiri ◽

Mada H. Basyouni ◽

Ali F. Duhaim ◽

Norah AlMousa ◽

Mohammed F. AlJuwaysim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Food Waste ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Household Level ◽

Individual Level ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Household Factors ◽

Cooked Food ◽

The Individual

Background: Food waste and food insecurity may co-exist in various balances in developing and developed countries. This study aimed to explore the levels of food waste and food insecurity, the factors associated with them, and their relationships at the household and individual levels in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted via computer-assisted phone interviews in January 2021. Quota sampling was utilized to generate balanced distributions of participants by gender across all the administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Data collection included household demographics, food waste and disposal, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Results: Out of the 2807 potential participants contacted, 2454 (87.4%) completed the interview. The mean age was 31.4 (SD = 11.7; range = 18–99) and 50.1% were female. The weighted prevalence of uncooked food waste in the last four weeks was 63.6% and the cooked food waste was 74.4%. However, the food insecurity weighted prevalence at the individual level (FIES) was 6.8%. In terms of food insecurity at the household level (HFIAS), 13.3% were in the “severely food insecure” category. Moreover, this study found that “moderately food insecure” households were associated with an increased likelihood to waste uncooked food (relative risk (RR) = 1.25), and the “mildly food insecure” (RR = 1.21) and “moderately food insecure” (RR = 1.17) households were associated with an increased likelihood to waste cooked food. However, “food secure” households were associated with a decreased likelihood to waste cooked food (RR = 0.56). Finally, this study identified four household factors associated with food waste and three household factors that were associated with “severe food insecurity.” Conclusions: This first national coverage study to explore food waste and food insecurity at the individual level and household level, identified household factors associated with food waste and food insecurity and identified new associations between food waste and food insecurity in Saudi Arabia. The associations found between food waste and food insecurity are potential areas of intervention to reduce both food waste and food insecurity at the same time, toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to food waste and food security.

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Evaluating Metrics Applied to the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Role: A Survey-Based Study of Canadian MSL Leaders

Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science ◽

10.1007/s43441-021-00291-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Munaza Saleem ◽

Lisa Cesario ◽

Lisa Wilcox ◽

Marsha Haynes ◽

Simon Collin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professional ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Science ◽

Specialty Care ◽

Product Lifecycle ◽

The Past ◽

Data Analyses ◽

Quantitative Metrics ◽

Frequency Of Use

Abstract Introduction Metrics utilized within the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role are plentiful and traditionally quantitative. We sought to understand the current use and value of metrics applied to the MSL role, including the use of qualitative metrics. Methods We developed a list of 70 MSL leaders working in Canada, spanning 29 companies. Invitations were emailed Jun 16, 2020 and the 25-question online survey was open for 3 weeks. Questions were designed to assess demographics as well as how and why metrics are applied to the MSL role. Data analyses were descriptive. Results Responses were received from 44 leaders (63%). Of the 42 eligible, 45% had ≤ 2 years of experience as MSL leaders and 86% supported specialty care products over many phases of the product lifecycle. A majority (69%) agreed or strongly agreed that metrics are critical to understanding whether an MSL is delivering value, and 98% had used metrics in the past year. The most common reason to use metrics was ‘to show value/impact of MSLs to leadership’ (66%). The most frequently used metric was ‘number of health-care professional (HCP) interactions’, despite this being seen as having moderate value. Quantitative metrics were used more often than qualitative, although qualitative were more often highly valued. Conclusion The data collected show a lack of agreement between the frequency of use for some metrics and their value in demonstrating the contribution of an MSL. Overall, MSL leaders in our study felt qualitative metrics were a better means of showing the true impact of MSLs.

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Comparative physical activity as a global question to assess physical activity among university students

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00247-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katharina Diehl ◽

Alessia Brassat ◽

Jennifer Hilger-Kolb

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Group Level ◽

Comparative Measurement ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Comparative Optimism ◽

Individual Assessment ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background To assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method. In previous studies, the use of comparative measurements led to an effect known as unrealistic comparative optimism (UCO) – people being unrealistically optimistic about their behavior. Our aim was to use this comparative measurement in university students to quantify the prevalence of UCO at the group level and to draw conclusions on its validity. Methods We used data from the Nutrition and Physical Activity in Adolescence Study (NuPhA), a cross-sectional online survey that included only self-reports (n = 689). To assess PA among students, they were asked to rate their PA level compared to that of their same-aged fellow students. In addition, we used the Godin-Shephard leisure-time PA questionnaire and other questions on PA for comparisons. We used bivariate and cluster-based analyses to identify potential UCO. Results We found that UCO at the group level led to an uneven distribution, with a higher proportion of students who rated themselves as being more physically active than average. However, the individual assessment of PA with a single and simple comparative question seemed to be valid. Discussion A global single comparative question seems useful for studies where PA is measured as a covariate in university students.

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‘Ice’ flavoured e-cigarette use among young adults

Tobacco Control ◽

10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-056416 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-056416

Author(s):

Adam Leventhal ◽

Hongying Dai ◽

Jessica Barrington-Trimis ◽

Steve Sussman

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

The Past ◽

Frequency Of Use ◽

Exposure Variable

Background‘Ice’ e-cigarette flavours—marketed as a combination of fruity/sweet and cooling flavours (eg, ‘blueberry ice’ or ‘melon ice’)—recently entered the US market. The prevalence and correlates of ice flavoured e-cigarette use in young adults are unknown.MethodsThis cross-sectional study of a Los Angeles, California, USA, cohort analysed data from the past 30-day e-cigarette (current) users (n=344; M (SD)=21.2 (0.4) years old) who completed web-based surveys from May–August 2020. The exposure variable was self-reported e-cigarette flavour used most often in the past month (menthol/mint, fruit/sweet or ice). Outcomes included self-reported combustible tobacco use, vaping dependence symptoms, frequency of use and device type used.ResultsAmong current e-cigarette users, 48.8% reported using ice flavours most often, 33.7% predominately used fruit/sweet and 17.4% used menthol/mint. Using primarily ice-flavour was associated with reporting more past-30-day vaping days (vs menthol/mint: b=4.4, 95% CI (1 to 7.7); vs fruit/sweet: b=3.6, 95% CI (0.8 to 6.4)) and more episodes per vaping day versus fruit/sweet users (b=2.4, 95% CI (0.5 to 4.3)). Ice-flavour users were less likely than menthol/mint users to use JUUL/cartridge-based rechargeable (OR=0.1, 95% CI (0.03 to 0.45)) and more likely than sweet/fruit users to use disposable non-cartridge (OR=3.9, 95% CI (2.1 to 7.4)) devices than refillable/rechargeable tank/pen or other devices. Ice users had greater odds of past 30-day combustible tobacco use versus menthol/mint users (OR=2.7, 95% CI (1.3 to 5.7)) and vaping dependence symptoms than versus sweet/fruit users (OR=2.6, 95% CI (1.5 to 4.4)).ConclusionYoung adult use of ice flavoured e-cigarettes may be common and positively associated with combustible tobacco use, nicotine vaping frequency and dependence and use of disposable e-cigarette devices. Further study of the prevalence, determinants and health effects of ice flavoured e-cigarette use is warranted.

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The influence of culture on consumer perceptions of deceptiveness

Journal of Consumer Marketing ◽

10.1108/jcm-09-2020-4150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Haithem Zourrig ◽

Mengxia Zhang ◽

Kamel El Hedhli ◽

Imene Becheur

Keyword(s):

Culturally Diverse ◽

Online Survey ◽

Consumer Perceptions ◽

Chinese Consumers ◽

Content Type ◽

Individual Level ◽

Information Manipulation ◽

Societal Level ◽

The Individual ◽

Situational Constraint

Purpose This study aims to apply McCornack’s (1992) information manipulation theory to the context of fraud and investigates the effects of culture on perceived deceptiveness. Design/methodology/approach In total, 400 Chinese consumers and an equal-size sample of Canadian consumers were recruited to fill an online survey. The survey integrates four scenarios of insurance fraud and measures of perceived deceptiveness, cultural tightness and horizontal-vertical idiocentrism allocentrism, in addition to some control variables. Findings Results show that at the societal level of culture, perceived deceptiveness is higher in individualistic than in collectivistic cultures. When accounting for the level of situational constraint, cultural tightness was found to magnify the perceived deceptiveness. At the individual level of culture, vertical-allocentrism and vertical-idiocentrism were found to weigh against the perception of deceptiveness. Originality/value Understanding cultural differences in perceived deceptiveness is helpful to spot sources of consumers’ vulnerability to fraud tolerance among a culturally diverse public.

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Public service motivation and willingness to collaborate

Evidence-based HRM a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship ◽

10.1108/ebhrm-07-2013-0018 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 80-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Heather Getha-Taylor ◽

Alexa Haddock-Bigwarfe

Keyword(s):

Homeland Security ◽

Public Service ◽

Public Service Motivation ◽

The Body ◽

Organizational Level ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Individual Level ◽

Original Survey ◽

The Individual

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine public service motivation (PSM) and the connection with collaborative attitudes among a sample of homeland security actors representing the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Design/methodology/approach – This study examines relationships between measures of PSM and collaboration using original survey data and hierarchical multiple regression. Findings – Findings reveal strong positive relationships between PSM measures and attitudes toward collaboration at the individual and organizational level. Research limitations/implications – Survey results are cross-sectional and are from respondents participating in a single state's homeland security summit. Practical implications – It is expected that results can be used to enhance collaboration at the individual and organizational levels. At the organizational level, results can be used for matching individuals with collaborative opportunities. At the individual level, results can be used for enhanced self-reflection and effectiveness purposes. Originality/value – This study provides insights on the relationship between PSM measures and collaborative attitudes. The research contributes to the body of scholarly work connecting PSM and correlates of interest.

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The relationship between disability and suicide: prospective evidence from the Ten to Men cohort

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdy197 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 707-713 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Allison Milner ◽

Anne-Marie Bollier ◽

Eric Emerson ◽

Anne Kavanagh

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Model ◽

Logistic Regression Model ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Longitudinal Cohort ◽

The Past ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background People with disabilities often face a range of social and economic adversities. Evidence suggests that these disadvantages result in poorer mental health. Some research also indicates that people with disabilities are more likely experience thoughts about suicide than people without disability, although most of this research is based on small cross-sectional samples. Methods We explored the relationship between self-reported disability (measured at baseline) and likelihood of reporting thoughts of suicide (measured at follow up) using a large longitudinal cohort of Australian males. A logistic regression model was conducted with thoughts of suicide within the past 12 months (yes or no) as the outcome and disability as the exposure. The models adjusted for relevant confounders, including mental health using the SF-12 MCS, and excluded males who reported thoughts of suicide at baseline. Results After adjustment, there was a 1.48 (95% CI: 0.98–2.23, P = 0.063) increase in the odds of thoughts of suicide among men who also reported a disability. The size of association was similar to that of being unemployed. Conclusions Males reporting disability may also suffer from thoughts of suicide. We speculate that discrimination may be one explanation for the observed association. More research on this topic is needed.

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