| Title: Masthead |
| File: Masthead_V7I1 |
| Title: Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Empathy, and Judgements of Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Image (NCDII) Victims |
| Journal: Journal of Concurrent Disorders |
| Abstract: Although reports of non-consensual distribution of another person’s intimate images (NCDII) are on the rise, there remains a lack of understanding of its harmful impacts to victims. Nonetheless, extant findings indicate that individual differences may be important contributors to attitudes towards NCDII victims. For instance, Dark Triad personality traits are associated with negative judgements of NCDII victims, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism has been associated with victim- blaming and minimization of harm towards physical sexual abuse victims. This research therefore sought to investigate the relationship between Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and judgements of NCDII victims, and whether it is moderated by affective and cognitive empathy. Adults (n = 134) from the general population, recruited online from within the UK, completed self-report questionnaires measuring empathy, RWA, and beliefs about NCDII. Results of linear regression and moderation analyses showed that higher levels of RWA predict more negative judgements of NCDII victims, but cognitive and affective empathy did not significantly moderate this relationship. These findings highlight the importance of considering ideological beliefs in addressing NCDII and suggest that efforts to combat victim-blaming should account for authoritarian attitudes. |
| Page: 1-21 |
| Keywords: Personality, Judgements, Revenge Pornography, Image-based Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse Victims. |
| Authors: Robyn Mooney & Wiktoria Batko |
| File: Mooney & Batko |
| DOI: doi.org/10.54127/VTCB9125 |
| Title: Impaired insight in concurrent disorders: identifying patterns in drug seeking behaviours |
| Journal: Journal of Concurrent Disorders |
| Abstract: Background: Concurrent disorders involve overlapping mental health and substance use disorders, often associated with impaired insight, affecting treatment adherence and behavioural control. Previous studies have utilized self- report measures of insight; however, objective assessments in this population are scarce. Methods: This study recruited 53 inpatients with concurrent disorders (41 with a stimulant use disorder, 12 with other substance use disorders) from the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction and 38 controls (no history of substance use disorder or mental health disorder). Participant’s insight was assessed using a probabilistic picture choice task and a self-report measure. Cognitive functions such as premorbid functioning, working memory, and pattern comparison were evaluated. Analyses included logistic regression and ANOVAs. Results: No significant differences in insight were noted between groups after controlling for working memory. Individuals with stimulant-specific disorders exhibited a preference for stimulant images over pleasant images, indicating an attentional bias. There was no significant correlation between self-report and behavioural insight measures, nor were there significant changes in insight over time. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the interplay between cognitive deficits, attentional biases, and insight in individuals with concurrent disorders, underlining the challenges in measuring and improving insight within this group. Implications: The findings highlight the significant role of working memory in measuring insight. The persistent attentional bias toward stimulant cues in those with stimulant-specific disorders suggests the need for targeted interventions that address cognitive impairments. Future research should consider developing alternative insight assessment tools that are less dependent on the cognitive capacity to evaluate this population more effectively. |
| Page: 22-39 |
| Keywords: Drug Seeking, Concurrent Disorders, Impaired Insight, Treatment |
| Authors: Tanisse Epp, Karling R. Luciani, Alyssa Turcott, Keenan Klassen, & Christian G. Schütz |
| File: Epp et al. |
| DOI: 10.54127/UUGO5750 |
| Title: An IPA of Experienced Stoics Repeating a Guided Writing Program: Daily Death Contemplation and Philosophy as a Way of Life |
| Journal: Journal of Concurrent Disorders |
| Abstract: Context: As theorized in terror management theory, death anxiety affects mental health, which can be addressed via various self-help and clinical treatment approaches based on Stoic principles. Stoic death contemplation is often used in such approaches and reflects a long-established practice that forms part of philosophy as a way of life (PWL), a paradigm formulated by historian Pierre Hadot. Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of practicing Stoics returning to a daily death contemplation activity called Stoic copywork, undertaken in a temporary online community lasting 28 days. Methods: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze interviews with three experienced Stoics returning to the guided writing program for a second or third year. Results: Four experiential themes were identified: Community as the Context for Connection; Deepening a Personal Stoic Practice Daily; Death’s Importance for Life; and Refracting Self-development and Personal Identity Through Stoic Practice. Conclusion and Implication: Results highlighted the importance of phenomenological inquiry in research about PWL. Key findings include the role of personal-existential mortality awareness in being Stoic, the role of self-talk in active self-development, as well as the relevance of Little’s personal project analysis to understand Stoics’ ongoing activities and the role of creativity therein. Implications, limitations of the present study, and future directions are identified. |
| Page: 40-74 |
| Keywords: Adult Personality Development, Death Anxiety, Death Contemplation, Expressive Writing, Marcus Aurelius, Personal Project Analysis, Philosophy, Pierre Hadot, Stoicism, Terror Management Theory |
| Authors: Kate Hammer & William Van Gordon |
| File: Hammer & Van Gordon |
| DOI: doi.org/10.54127/ZRLH6187 |
| Title: How much does it cost to the family for one of its members to be a drug and alcohol user? |
| Journal: Journal of Concurrent Disorders |
| Abstract: Little research has been carried out assessing the impact on families when one member abuses psychoactive substances, nor the indirect costs of associated problems such as theft, property damage, academic failure, debt, or legal trouble. This study surveyed 441 relatives of drug users in Colombian treatment centers, collecting sociodemographic data, direct and indirect costs, and the impact on four dimensions: family, labour, mental health, and leisure. Analysis of the data evaluated correlations between socioeconomic stratum, income, and the different cost categories. The results showed that having a drug user in the family significantly increases their expenses, and that direct costs are up to six times their monthly budget—and 13 times when including indirect costs. This is the first of various papers aimed at evaluating the direct and indirect costs, as well as the intangible costs related to drug use. |
| Page: 75-91 |
| Keywords: Perfectionism, self-compassion, mothers, students, perfectionistic self-presentation, automatic thoughts. |
| Authors: Augusto Pérez Gómez, Alejandra Villamil Sánchez, Orlando Scoppeta-DG, & Juliana Mejía-Trujillo |
| File: Gomez et al. |
| DOI: 10.54127/HVDO9867 |
| Title: The General Mattering Scale: Mattering Versus Self-Esteem in Predicting Distress and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Early Adolescents from China |
| Journal: Journal of Concurrent Disorders |
| Abstract: Objectives: The current research examined the potentially protective role of mattering among early adolescents from China. This study also incorporated a comparative focus on the relative benefits of mattering versus self- esteem. In addition, possible associations of mattering and self-esteem with parental pressures (i.e., parental expectations and parental criticism) were evaluated. Methods: A sample of 172 early adolescents from China completed the General Mattering Scale (GMS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and measures of shame, loneliness, depression, anxiety, positive affect, and negative affect. Self- report measures of parental criticism and parental expectations were also completed to assess potential developmental antecedents of mattering. Results: General support for the psychometric properties of the GMS as unidimensional was obtained. Mattering was associated significantly with higher levels of positive affect and self-esteem, and lower levels of depression, negative affect, loneliness, and shame. However, mattering was unrelated to anxiety. Regression analyses indicated that mattering did not predict unique variance in depression beyond variance attributable to self-esteem. However, mattering did predict unique variance beyond self-esteem in positive affect, characterological shame, and loneliness. Self-esteem was typically more predictive of various outcome measures. Moreover, relative to mattering, self-esteem had a stronger negative link with parental criticism. Conclusion and Implications: The results confirm that mattering is a key protective resource, but it is clearly distinguishable from self- esteem among early adolescents from China. We discuss the need for a comprehensive cross-cultural approach to the study of mattering that considers its antecedents and consequences. |
| Page: 92-107 |
| Keywords: Adolescents, Depression, Loneliness, Mattering, Self-esteem, Shame. |
| Authors: Gordon L. Flett, Chang Su, Taryn Nepon, Liang Ma, & Lianrong R. Guo |
| File: Flett et al. |
| DOI: 10.54127/UXUO9895 |