Impulsivity and associated constructs in drug addicted patients

Zielsetzung: Die vorliegende Pilotstudie untersuchte, ob selbstberichtete Achtsamkeit bei drogenabhängigen Patienten negativ mit impulsivem Verhalten assoziiert ist und ob dieser Zusammenhang über eine effektivere Emotionsregulation vermittelt wird. Ferner wurde die Relevanz der Differenzierung verschiedener Impulsivitäts-Facetten im Zusammenhang mit Craving und Abstinenzzuversicht untersucht. Methodik: Einunddreißig männliche drogenabhängige Patienten in stationärer Entwöhnung beantworteten Fragen zu Achtsamkeit (MAAS), Emotionsregulationskompetenzen (SEK-27), Depressivität (PHQ-9), Craving (MaCS) und Abstinenzzuversicht (HEISA-16). Impulsivität wurde zum einen als selbstberichtetes Trait-Merkmal (BIS-15) erfasst. Weiterhin wurden die verhaltensbezogenen Komponenten impulsives Entscheidungsverhalten (Delay Discouting Task) und substanzbezogene Inhibitionskontrolle (Go-/No-Go-Aufgabe) erhoben. Ergebnisse: Achtsamkeit war negativ mit Trait-Impulsivität assoziiert und hing, mediiert über höhere Emotionsregulationskompetenzen, positiv mit Inhibitionskontrolle zusammen. Trait-Impulsivität und Delay Discounting erwiesen sich als Korrelate von Craving. Keine der Impulsivitäts-Facetten war mit Abstinenzzuversicht assoziiert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Differenzierung der Impulsivitäts-Facetten stellte sich als bedeutsam heraus. Experimentelle Designs sind nun notwendig, um die in der vorliegenden Pilotstudie gefundenen Zusammenhänge hinsichtlich ihrer Kausalität zu prüfen

Effects of maternal history of depression and early life maltreatment on children's health-related quality of life

BACKGROUND There is a well-established link between maternal depression and child mental health. Similar effects have been found for maternal history of early life maltreatment (ELM). However, studies investigating the relationship of children's quality of life and maternal depression are scarce and none have been conducted for the association with maternal ELM. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal history of ELM and depression on children's health-related quality of life and to identify mediating factors accounting for these effects. METHODS Our study involved 194 mothers with and without history of depression and/or ELM and their children between five and 12 years. Children's health-related quality of life was assessed by maternal proxy- and child self-ratings using the KIDSCREEN. We considered maternal sensitivity and maternal parenting stress as potential mediators. RESULTS We found an effect of maternal history of depression but not of maternal history of ELM on health-related quality of life. Maternal stress and sensitivity mediated the effects of maternal depression on child global health-related quality of life, as well as on the dimensions Autonomy & Parent Relation, School Environment (maternal and child rating), and Physical Wellbeing (child rating). LIMITATION Due to the cross-sectional design of the study, causal interpretations must be made with caution. Some scales yielded low internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS Maternal impairments in areas of parenting which possibly developed during acute depression persist even after remission of acute affective symptoms. Interventions should target parenting stress and sensitivity in parents with prior depression

Schulisches Wohlbefinden als Qualitätsmerkmal inklusiver Schulen - Unterrichtsentwicklung im Rahmen eines Lehrer-Forscher-Projekts an der Laborschule Bielefeld

Külker A, Dorniak M, Geist S, Kullmann H, Lütje-Klose B, Siepmann C. Schulisches Wohlbefinden als Qualitätsmerkmal inklusiver Schulen - Unterrichtsentwicklung im Rahmen eines Lehrer-Forscher-Projekts an der Laborschule Bielefeld. In: Textor A, Grüter S, Schiermeyer-Reichl I, Streese B, eds. Leistung inklusive? Inklusion in der Leistungsgesellschaft. Band 2: Unterricht, Leistungsbewertung und Schulentwicklung. Bad Heilbrunn: Julius Klinkhardt; 2017: 48-59

App-based maintenance treatment for alcohol use disorder after acute inpatient treatment : Study protocol for a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Background: Alcohol use disorder, a prevalent and disabling mental health problem, is often characterized by a chronic disease course. While effective inpatient and aftercare treatment options exist, the transferal of treatment success into everyday life is challenging and many patients remain without further assistance. App-based in terventions with human guidance have great potential to support individuals after inpatient treatment, yet ev idence on their efficacy remains scarce. Objectives: To develop an app-based intervention with human guidance and evaluate its usability, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Methods: Individuals with alcohol use disorder (DSM-5), aged 18 or higher, without history of schizophrenia, undergoing inpatient alcohol use disorder treatment (N = 356) were recruited in eight medical centres in Bavaria, Germany, between December 2019 and August 2021. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive access to treatment as usual plus an app-based intervention with human guidance (intervention group) or access to treatment as usual plus app-based intervention after the active study phase (waitlist control/TAU group). Telephone-based assessments are conducted by diagnostic interviewers three and six weeks as well as three and six months after randomization. The primary outcome is the relapse risk during the six months after randomization assessed via the Timeline Follow-Back Interview. Secondary outcomes include intervention usage, uptake of aftercare treatments, AUD-related psychopathology, general psychopathology, and quality of life. Discussion: This study will provide further insights into the use of app-based interventions with human guidance as maintenance treatment in individuals with AUD. If shown to be efficacious, the intervention may improve AUD treatment by assisting individuals in maintaining inpatient treatment success after returning into their home setting. Due to the ubiquitous use of smartphones, the intervention has the potential to become part of routine AUD care in Germany and countries with similar healthcare systems

Association of impulsivity with quality of life and well‐being after alcohol withdrawal treatment

Abstract Objectives Impulsivity is related to a higher risk of relapse in alcohol use disorders. However, besides drinking behavior, other recovery outcomes like physical and mental health‐related quality of life are at least as important. The present study aimed to fill a research gap regarding the association of different impulsivity facets with health‐related quality of life and well‐being in alcohol use disorder. Methods Individuals with a primary alcohol use disorder diagnosis (n = 167) were interviewed with standardized self‐report measures at the progressed stage of their withdrawal treatment and 6 weeks thereafter. Multiple regression models were calculated to examine the association of impulsivity, craving, and drinking patterns with health‐related quality of life and well‐being 6 weeks after withdrawal treatment, as well as the predictive role of impulsivity assessed during withdrawal for these two outcomes. Results Craving was associated with health‐related quality of life and well‐being 6 weeks after withdrawal. Likewise, non‐planning and attentional impulsivity were associated with well‐being 6 weeks after withdrawal. Motor impulsivity during withdrawal treatment predicted health‐related quality of life 6 weeks thereafter. Conclusion Impulsivity seems to be negatively related to health‐related quality of life and well‐being in the first weeks after alcohol withdrawal treatment, probably to a higher extent than drinking patterns, but differentiating between its facets seems to be important. These findings emphasize the importance of treatment approaches aiming at reduced impulsivity in the early recovery process

Irreführung durch Unterlassung gem § 2 UWG

Es kann als allgemein gültig angenommen werden, dass jedem zumindest latent laienhaft bewusst ist, dass ein Unternehmer seinen Abnehmern nicht das Blaue vom Himmel erzählen und sie damit mittels unwahren Aussagen in die Irre führen darf. Im Zuge dieser Diplomarbeit wird hingegen der Frage nachgegangen, wie weit ein Unternehmer Eigenschaften seines Produktes oder seiner Dienstleistung verschweigen darf und sich trotzdem noch im Bereich des lauteren Wettbewerbs bewegt. Das Lauterkeitsrecht allgemein wurde in der Vergangenheit mehr von Entscheidungen und weniger von laufenden Gesetzesänderungen geprägt, da nur mittels solchen Rechtsfortbildungen die facettenreichen Wettbewerbsverstöße effektiv verfolgt, und die Täter verurteilt werden können. Die Möglichkeiten seine Produkte bzw Dienstleistungen besser darzustellen als sie tatsächlich sind, sind online sowie offline beinahe grenzenlos. Wirtschaftstreibende geben sich beispielsweise als Kunden auf Social-Media-Plattformen aus um ihre eigenen Produkte zu bewerten, platzieren ihre Marke in beliebten Fernsehsendungen oder laden potentielle Abnehmer zu einem vermeintlichen Wochenendausflug ein, der im Endeffekt doch nur zum Verkauf diverser Waren dient. Da solche Verhaltensweisen bewusst an den Tag gelegt werden um in den Leistungswettbewerb einzugreifen und damit den Verkauf der eigenen Waren zu forcieren, sind sie am Maßstab des Gesetzes gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb zu messen. Unter Zuhilfenahme diverser Literatur und höchstgerichtlicher Entscheidungen wird im Zuge dieser Diplomarbeit im Detail auf die Irreführung durch Unterlassung iSd § 2 Abs 4 bis 6 UWG eingegangen. Im Besonderen werden die Auslegungen einzelner Termini mit Bedachtnahme auf unterschiedliche Positionen von Lehre und Rechtsprechung besprochen.eingereicht von Marlene ReichlUniversität Linz, Diplomarbeit, 2020(VLID)473867

Development and Pilot Testing of an Adaptive, Individualized Inhibitory Control Training

Deficits in inhibitory control seem to promote habit behavior and therefore play an important role in the development and maintenance of addictive diseases. Although several training approaches have been suggested, there is a considerable lack of knowledge about the best way to improve inhibitory control. Based on a literature review regarding shortcomings of existing trainings, an individualized, adaptive inhibitory control training was developed. We aimed to assess feasibility and acceptance of this training and to provide preliminary results on its efficacy regarding binge drinking. In the training, participants are instructed to react to go stimuli and inhibit their reaction to no-go stimuli, depending on the content of the stimuli. Each of the three training sessions included two categories: shapes (no-go circles, go rectangles) and pictures (no-go alcoholic drinks, go gardening tools). The difficulty of each session (No-Go rate and presentation time) was variable (No-Go range: 5-35%, presentation time range: 350-1000ms) depending on the performance in the previous session. The stimuli were individualized, as participants chose their preferred drink category (e.g., white wine, dark beer etc.). Furthermore, participants rated 30 gardening tools for their association with alcohol consumption, whereby the 20 gardening tools with the lowest rating were used. After each block, a feedback screen with the percentage of correct responses (execution or withholding) occurred. To aim for more generalization, within each category (circles, rectangles, alcoholic drinks, gardening tools), a different picture set was used for every training session

The Association of Psychopathy with Craving and Mental Health Problems in Forensic Patients with Substance Use Disorder - The Role of Impulsivity and Emotion Regulation

Substance use after release from forensic psychiatries is related to re-offending (Walde & Lungwitz, 2020). In order to improve the treatment, it is important to identify patients that are at risk of worse functioning in terms of substance use disorder (SUD) symptomatology and mental health problems. Given that psychopathy is often co-occuring to SUDs, it may be of special interest in this regard (Ellingson et al., 2018). A common conceptualization differentiates between an Impulsive Antisociality facet (egocentric and non-conformative behavior) and Fearless Dominance (social influence and stress resistance; see Benning et al., 2003). According to previous research in forensic or SUD samples, the former seems to be positively, but the latter negatively related to craving and mental health problems (e.g., Edens & McDermott, 2010; Vincent et al., 2018). Being part of both the SUD and psychopathic symptomatology, impulsivity may be a mediating factor in these relationships (Ellingson et al., 2018). But, also emotion regulation competencies may be a potential mediator given their relation to the SUD symptomatology, impulsivity and psychoapathy (e.g., Garofalo & Wright, 2017; Long et al., 2014). Current research is lacking studies in samples of forensic patients with SUD on the role of psychopathy for craving and mental health problems and the mediating effect of impulsivity and emotion regulation competencies. Thus, this is the aim of the present study

Development and Pilot Testing of an Adaptive, Individualized Inhibitory Control Training

Deficits in inhibitory control seem to promote habitual behavior and therefore play an important role in the development and maintenance of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. However, although several training approaches have been suggested to improve inhibitory control, there is at present a considerable lack of knowledge about the best way to improve behavioral deficits. Against this background, an individualized, adaptive inhibitory control training was developed based on a systematic literature search of shortcomings of existing trainings. The present study set out to assess feasibility and acceptance of this training and to provide preliminary results on its efficacy regarding binge drinking. In the training, participants are instructed to react to go stimuli and inhibit their reaction to no-go stimuli, depending on the content of the stimuli. Each of the three training sessions included two categories: shapes (no-go circles, go rectangles) and pictures (no-go alcoholic drinks, go gardening tools). The difficulty of each session (No-Go rate and presentation time) was variable (No-Go range: 5-35%, presentation time range: 350-1000ms) depending on the performance in the previous session. The stimuli were individualized, as participants chose their preferred drink category (e.g., white wine, dark beer etc.). Furthermore, participants rated 30 gardening tools for their association with alcohol consumption, whereby the 20 gardening tools with the lowest rating were used. After each block, a feedback screen with the percentage of correct responses (execution or withholding) occurred. To aim for more generalization, within each category (circles, rectangles, alcoholic drinks, gardening tools), a different picture set was used for every training session