scholarly journals Cannabis use, attitudes, regulation and health: Survey data from an urban population of users and non-users

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansjörg Znoj ◽  
Gregor Genrich ◽  
Céline Zeller ◽  
Dennis Koroma
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Health ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Face ◽  
Lower Severity ◽  
Regulatory Measures ◽  
Health Survey Data ◽  
Protective Strategies

Background: Although illegal in most countries, cannabis remains the most common illicit drug in Switzerland and worldwide. While there is growing evidence on adverse effects of cannabis use, most users do not report any problems or negative consequences. In the face of a sustained high prevalence of cannabis use and the recent legalization waves in different parts of the world, it is important to know how cannabis is perceived in the general population and how current users regulate their own use. The present study aims to investigate users’ and non-users’ attitudes towards cannabis regulations and towards current users. Additionally, self-rated health measures as well as protective behavioral strategies and other cannabis related variables were assessed.Design and Method: We collected data from 380 current users and 659 non-users who were recruited by invitation letter or online media platforms. The data was analyzed using basic descriptive statistical procedures.Results: Results revealed that both groups favor moderate cannabis regulation measures over prohibition and no regulation at all. On average, they report the same subjective health. Protective strategies are often used and are associated with better health and lower severity of dependence in cannabis users.Conclusions: Taken together, results indicate that safe use of cannabis is possible for most users, while there is a group of users at risk of 15-20 %, which may benefit from control by regulatory measures.

scholarly journals Examining cannabis protective behavioral strategy use using multiple methods

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-305
Author(s):  
Mark A. Prince ◽  
Tiffany Jenzer ◽  
Whitney Brown ◽  
Eleftherios M. Hetelekides ◽  
Rachel A. Mumm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Protective Strategies ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose Cannabis use among young adults is increasing, despite being associated with several negative consequences. Protective behavioral strategies (PBSs) are a potential mechanism of behavior change for reducing substance use, yet PBS use for cannabis is not well understood. The purpose of this paper is to further define and measure the PBS construct for cannabis. Design/methodology/approach A community sample of cannabis users (n=54) participated in eight focus groups discussing the use of PBSs. Participants completed surveys regarding demographics, cannabis use habits and cannabis problems. The authors also administered an existing measure of cannabis PBS and asked them to generate new or unique protective strategies that they had used or had heard of others using. Findings Thematic analysis of qualitative focus group data provided information about cannabis users’ reasons for regulating cannabis use (e.g. health or legal problems, interpersonal) as well as strategies to moderate cannabis use or attenuate their risk for experiencing adverse consequences (e.g. distraction, existential/spiritual strategies). Analyses of quantitative survey data revealed that use of PBSs was negatively correlated with cannabis outcomes. Perceived helpfulness of strategies was an important predictor of decreased cannabis use and adverse consequences. Research limitations/implications Findings expand the understanding of the definition and measurement of strategies for regulating cannabis use and reducing related risk of experiencing adverse consequences. Originality/value This is the first study to examine cannabis-related PBS using both qualitative and quantitative methods, which provide insights into the definition of PBS and for future refinements of PBS measurement.

scholarly journals Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Consumption: The Moderating Role of Drinking-Group Gender Composition

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Tabernero ◽  
Tamara Gutiérrez-Domingo ◽  
Bárbara Luque ◽  
Olaya García-Vázquez ◽  
Esther Cuadrado
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Gender Composition ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Protective Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Protective Strategies ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

: Background. There is international concern about the negative consequences for health related to young people’s alcohol consumption. Peer relationships can play a positive and protective role to cope with risky behaviors associated with alcohol consumption. Objective. This study investigated the influence of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) on alcohol consumption and the moderating role of drinking-group gender composition and drinking-group size. Methods. The sample comprised 286 youths (mean age = 23.49; SD = 2.78; 67.5% female). Participants reported their protective behavioral strategies, their alcohol consumption and the size (overall mean = 7.44; SD = 3.83) and gender composition (62.58% mixed; 19.93% all-female; 9.8% all-male) of their social drinking groups. The mean sizes of mixed, all-female, and all-male groups were 8.27, 5.34, and 6.2, respectively. Results. Data showed that women consume less alcohol and use more protective strategies than men, particularly those strategies directed at avoiding negative consequences. Furthermore, the number of men in a group influences protective strategies and consumption, therefore drinking-group gender composition moderates the relationship between protective strategies and alcohol consumption. The more protective strategies that young adults use, the lower their alcohol consumption. This relationship is moderated by the size of the group. Conclusion. Strategies to prevent risky drinking behavior should focus on both PBS shared by drinking-group members and the training in individual PBS associated with drinking behavior. Finally, taking into account the relationship between drinking-group gender composition and protective behavioral strategies for alcohol consumption, a positive protector role for individual and group habits in relation to alcohol consumption is discussed.

Cephalometric features of connective tissue dysplasia manifestation in children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. N. Davydov ◽  
D. A. Domenyuk ◽  
S. V. Dmitrienko ◽  
T. A. Kondratyeva ◽  
Yu. S. Harutyunyan
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Short Branch ◽  
Lower Jaw ◽  
Carious Lesions ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Face ◽  
Connective Tissue Dysplasia ◽  
Brain Parts

Relevance. The high prevalence of dysplastic disorders involving connective tissue, and its negative effecton the development of dentoalveolar anomalies, carious and non-carious lesions of the teeth, periodontopathy, temporomandibular joint issues in the child population, lay the basis for improving diagnostics algorithms. Enhancing the already available standards is of greatest importance for children at the initial stages of diagnostics when evaluating the external signs of dysplastic disorders.Purpose – improving diagnostics algorithms for connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) in children in primary dental care facilities based on the evaluation of external phenotype signs and maxillofacial morphological features.Materials and methods. Depending on the external phenotype manifestations severity, as well as on laboratory, clinical and instrumental signs, the 92 children with CTD were divided into groups with mild, moderate and severe degrees of undifferentiated dysplasia. Gnathometric and biometric examinations of the maxillofacial area were performed through traditional methods, whereas the diagnosis was set following the generally accepted classifications. The diagnosis confirmation implied evaluation through cone beam computed imaging.Results. The nature and the intensity of morphofunctional disorders in the craniofacial structures (“small” stigmas) depend on the severity of connective tissue dysplastic disorders.Conclusions. The change direction vector in the facial and brain parts of cranium in children with CTD is aimed at increasing hypoplastic tendencies and dolichocephalia, proof to that being the following constitutional and morphological features: the prevalence of the vertical type of face skeleton growth over the horizontal and neutral ones; a convex face profile with a disproportionate general heights of the face skeleton; reduction of latitudinal with an increase in altitude facial parameters; a narrow short branch of the lower jaw; the upper jaw displaced downwards and forward; a decrease in the size of the apical basis of the lower dentition, the lower jaw body, as well as the height and width of the lower jaw branches. 

scholarly journals The Pornography “Rebooting” Experience: A Qualitative Analysis of Abstinence Journals on an Online Pornography Abstinence Forum

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Fernandez ◽  
Daria J. Kuss ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Online Pornography ◽  
Support Resources ◽  
Pornography Use ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
The Right ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Rule Out

AbstractA growing number of individuals using online forums are attempting to abstain from pornography (colloquially termed “rebooting”) due to self-perceived pornography-related problems. The present qualitative study explored phenomenological experiences of abstinence among members of an online “rebooting” forum. A total of 104 abstinence journals by male forum members were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of four themes (with a total of nine subthemes) emerged from the data: (1) abstinence is the solution to pornography-related problems, (2) sometimes abstinence seems impossible, (3) abstinence is achievable with the right resources, and (4) abstinence is rewarding if persisted with. Members’ primary reasons for initiating “rebooting” involved desiring to overcome a perceived addiction to pornography and/or alleviate perceived negative consequences attributed to pornography use, especially sexual difficulties. Successfully achieving and maintaining abstinence was typically experienced to be very challenging due to habitual behavior patterns and/or cravings triggered by a multiplicity of cues for pornography use, but a combination of internal (e.g., cognitive-behavioral strategies) and external (e.g., social support) resources made abstinence attainable for many members. A range of benefits attributed to abstinence by members suggest that abstaining from pornography could potentially be a beneficial intervention for problematic pornography use, although future prospective studies are needed to rule out possible third variable explanations for these perceived effects and to rigorously evaluate abstinence as an intervention. The present findings shed light on what the “rebooting” experience is like from members’ own perspectives and provide insights into abstinence as an approach for addressing problematic pornography use.

scholarly journals Low COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Is Correlated with Conspiracy Beliefs among University Students in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2407
Author(s):  
Malik Sallam ◽  
Deema Dababseh ◽  
Huda Eid ◽  
Hanan Hasan ◽  
Duaa Taim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
A Chain

Vaccination to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a promising measure to overcome the negative consequences of the pandemic. Since university students could be considered a knowledgeable group, this study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among this group in Jordan. Additionally, we aimed to examine the association between vaccine conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy. We used an online survey conducted in January 2021 with a chain-referral sampling approach. Conspiracy beliefs were evaluated using the validated Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Scale (VCBS), with higher scores implying embrace of conspiracies. A total of 1106 respondents completed the survey with female predominance (n = 802, 72.5%). The intention to get COVID-19 vaccines was low: 34.9% (yes) compared to 39.6% (no) and 25.5% (maybe). Higher rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were seen among males (42.1%) and students at Health Schools (43.5%). A Low rate of influenza vaccine acceptance was seen as well (28.8%), in addition to 18.6% of respondents being anti-vaccination altogether. A significantly higher VCBS score was correlated with reluctance to get the vaccine (p < 0.001). Dependence on social media platforms was significantly associated with lower intention to get COVID-19 vaccines (19.8%) compared to dependence on medical doctors, scientists, and scientific journals (47.2%, p < 0.001). The results of this study showed the high prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its association with conspiracy beliefs among university students in Jordan. The implementation of targeted actions to increase the awareness of such a group is highly recommended. This includes educational programs to dismantle vaccine conspiracy beliefs and awareness campaigns to build recognition of the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Tools for managing feline problem behaviours: Psychoactive medications

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1034-1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagi Denenberg ◽  
Maya Bräm Dubé
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Problem Behaviours ◽  
The Face ◽  
Psychoactive Medications

Practical relevance: When a cat is presented for evaluation of a problem behaviour, it is likely that the cat’s wellbeing is negatively affected by the condition. In addition, the owners and any other animals around the cat may also be experiencing negative consequences. When managing these cases, it is important to consider all options (including behaviour modification, environmental changes, medications) that can help to reach an optimal solution. Medication cannot teach the cat how to behave or change a particular behaviour; it can, however, reduce arousal, excitability, reactivity and anxiety. Rationale: The rationale for using psychoactive medications in behavioural medicine, or veterinary psychiatry, is to increase the wellbeing of the animal and to aid the owner and practitioner in managing problem behaviours. Medications should always be used as an adjunct to behavioural and environmental modification. Clinical challenges: Many psychoactive medications cannot be used in the face of certain physical illnesses or concurrently with other medications. Some medications may also have side effects, not be effective at the recommended dose or have a paradoxical effect. Furthermore, success is reliant on the owner being able to administer the medication. Aims: This article aims to guide practitioners by discussing questions such as how to choose the appropriate medication, how to dose it and how long to use it. The psychoactive medications most commonly used in feline medicine are reviewed, as well as some that are newer or less common. Evidence base: Data for the use of medications in cats is limited, with just a small number of clinical-, species- and problem-directed studies available, and a few more case series and case reports. Where feline-specific research is not available, the authors have drawn upon research published in other species, such as humans, dogs and rats, as well as anecdotal reports and expert opinions.

scholarly journals Heavy Drinking in University Students With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Contributions of Drinking Motives and Protective Behavioral Strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 117822181772331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L Howard ◽  
Tyler R Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Drinking Motives ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Protective Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Protective Strategies ◽  
Students With Adhd

This study examined rates of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in relation to drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies in university students with a documented current diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 31) compared with students with no history of ADHD (n = 146). Participants completed a Web-based questionnaire, and logistic regression models tested interactions between ADHD/comparison group membership and motives and protective strategies. Group differences in rates of heavy drinking and alcohol problems were not statistically significant, but medium-sized risk ratios showed that students without ADHD reported heavy drinking at a rate 1.44 times higher than students with ADHD and met screening criteria for problematic alcohol use at a rate of 1.54 times higher than students with ADHD. Other key findings were, first, that drinking to enhance positive affect (e.g., drinking because it is exciting), but not to cope with negative affect (e.g., drinking to forget your worries), predicted both heavy drinking and alcohol problems. Second, only protective behavioral strategies that emphasize alcohol avoidance predicted both heavy drinking and alcohol problems. Contrary to expectations, we found no ADHD-related moderation of effects of motives or protective strategies on our alcohol outcomes. Results of this study are limited by the small sample of students with ADHD but highlight tentative similarities and differences in effects of motives and strategies on drinking behaviors and alcohol problems reported by students with and without ADHD.

scholarly journals Sweden and the Migration Crisis: Political and Security Aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-61
Author(s):  
Artur Gruszczak
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Immigration Policy ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Adopted Model ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Government ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
Political Scene

This article aims to make an insight into the conditions of immigration policy and actions undertaken by the Swedish authorities and political parties in the face of the migration crisis in Europe after 2015. A hypothesis presented here assumes that a decisive evolution of the attitudes of the Swedish authorities, political parties, and society towards a restrictive approach to immigration arose from the awareness of the negative consequences of migration management for the Swedish socio-economic model and the political scene. The theoretical framework used in this article is the concept of policy responsiveness, including the ability of political authorities to respond effectively and lawfully to the needs and expectations of the citizens. Process tracing was applied as a research method useful for following the transformation process of Sweden’s immigration policy. Statistical data, documents issued by the government and political parties, as well as the subject literature were the sources utilised in the research. Conclusions drawn from the research point to the tightening of immigration policy as a result of the fear of a prolonged pull effect on foreigners and concern surrounding the appropriate handling of immigration in full accordance with the adopted model of immigration policy.

scholarly journals High prevalence of under-five child mortality in the pastoralist communities of Ethiopia: Evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesfin Wudu Kassaw ◽  
Aele Mamo ◽  
Biruk Abate ◽  
Ayelign Kassie ◽  
Seteamlak Masresha
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Child Mortality ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Khat Chewing ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Health Survey Data ◽  
The Government

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and association of child mortality in the pastoralist regions of Ethiopia. The study is a further analysis from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. Results: The prevalence of under-five child mortality in the pastoralist’s regions was 23.2%, 95%CI (21.4%, 24.6%). The prevalence of mortality among daughters was 15.4%, 95%CI (14.2, 16.6%), and sons 16.8%, 95%CI (15.6, 18.1%).In logistic regression, wealth index, head of household, Khat chewing, type of child birth, husband education, and child age in months were associated with under-five mortality irrespective of the deceased children’s gender. The prevalence of under-five child mortality in the pastoralist regions of Ethiopia was high, which was far highest in relative to the national under-five mortality prevalence. In assessing the effect of variables on under-five child mortality by gender, almost all the variables that have an effect on female or male child are similar. The government should emphasize on the pastoralists’ regions to decrease the high prevalence of under-five child mortality.

Measuring Readiness to Change Substance Use, Alcohol Use, and Cannabis Use: An Experimental Manipulation of Cognitive Effort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank J Schwebel ◽  
Jude G. Chavez ◽  
Matthew Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Negative Consequences

The Transtheoretical Model supports that readiness to change should predict actual substance-related behavior change, though this relationship is surprisingly modest. Across several behavioral domains, individuals tend to have unrealistic expectations regarding the amount of effort and time required to successfully change one’s behaviors, dubbed the False Hope Syndrome. Based on the False Hope Syndrome, we expect that the standard method of measuring self-reported readiness to change is inaccurate and overestimated. To test this hypothesis, we experimentally manipulated the level of cognitive effort or focus on the practical implications of changing substance use prior to completing readiness to change measures. College students from a large southwestern university who reported using substances in the past 30 days (n = 345) were recruited from a psychology department participant pool to complete this experimental study online. Participants were randomized to one of three conditions: 1) standard low effort condition, 2) medium effort condition (had to select likes/dislikes of substance use, and negative consequences of changing one’s use), and 3) high effort condition (also provided text responses to how they would handle difficult situations related to changing their substance use). We conducted one-way ANOVAs with Tukey post-hoc comparisons to examine differences on three measures of readiness to change: the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) scale for overall substance use as well as the readiness and motivation rulers for overall substance use, alcohol use, and cannabis use. Contrary to our hypothesis, all significant statistical tests supported higher cognitive effort conditions reporting higher readiness to change. Although effect sizes were modest, higher cognitive effort appeared to increase self-reported readiness to change substance use. To address the present study’s limitations, additional work is needed to test how self-reported readiness to change relates to actual behavior change when assessed under the different effort conditions.

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