Implications of MDMA use for prospective memory function and substance use patterns in an Australian sample: A web‐based pilot study

The use of amphetamine type stimulants, particularly MDMA, is a global concern. Little research has been conducted on the association between MDMA use and everyday memory function—prospective memory. Twenty‐five MDMA users, 37 cannabis users, and 43 illicit substance‐naïve controls were assessed on their substance use history and reported prospective memory performance as measured by the Prospective Memory Questionnaire (PMQ) using a web‐based survey. There were significant differences between MDMA users and controls and cannabis users and controls on long‐term episodic subscale of the PMQ. However, given the high prevalence of cannabis co‐use by MDMA users, it was not possible to determine if MDMA use alone is associated with prospective memory performance. The substance use patterns of the sample were evaluated. Alcohol was the most used substance followed by tobacco, cannabis, and MDMA. The incidence of polydrug use was high, with all illicit substance use reporting having used at least two substances in their lifetime. The present study supports previous research into prospective memory deficits associated with substance use, and provides a basis for future research, particularly for elucidation of prospective memory deficits specific to MDMA use and further evaluation of substance use patterns.     

Construct Validity of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART): Relationship with MDMA Use by Inner-City Drug Users in Residential Treatment

In a program of research assessing the validity of the balloon analogue risk task (BART; C. W. Lejuez et al., 2002) as a measure of risk taking, the BART was administered to a sample of inner-city drug users in residential treatment (n = 76). Construct validity of the BART was evaluated by measuring risk-taking behavior and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use while controlling for self-reported impulsivity, sensation seeking, polysubstance use, and demographic variables. Supporting the construct validity of the BART, while controlling for interrelated variables in the context of logistic regression analyses, (BART) risk-taking propensity accounted for significant incremental variance in differentiating MDMA users from non-users. BART scores, polysubstance use, and younger age were most associated with MDMA use, and together these variables were associated with 91% classification accuracy in predicting MDMA use.     

Memory performance in abstinent 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") users

Research with animals and humans has suggested that acute and subacute use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA "ecstasy") may lead to memory impairment. However, research is limited by (1) low power due to small sample sizes, (2) the possible confound of polydrug use, and (3) the failure to consider intelligence as a covariate. The present study compared the memory performance on the Wechsler Memory Scale-III of 26 abstinent (2-wk. minimum) recreational MDMA users with 26 abstinent (2-wk. minimum) recreational polydrug users. Despite significantly greater polydrug use amongst these MDMA users, no significant group differences in memory were observed. Regression of total lifetime amount of MDMA use also did not predict memory performance after accounting for intelligence. In addition, the length of time since abstinence (at least 2 wk.) was not associated with an increase in memory performance. Greater total lifetime cocaine use, rather than total lifetime MDMA use, was significantly associated with greater decrements in General Memory and Delayed Verbal Memory performance.     

Criminal offense type and the causes of loneliness

This study is an examination of the influences of incarceration on perceived causes of loneliness. A heterogeneous prison population was divided into five homogeneous subgroups (sex offenders, violent offenders, property offenders, drug-related offenders, and a category that contained all other miscellaneous offenders) whose loneliness experiences were then compared. Three hundred fifty-six incarcerated male offenders and 501 men from the general population were recruited on a voluntary basis. They reported the perceived sources of their loneliness on an 82-item yes/no questionnaire. Results indicated significant differences in perceived causes of loneliness between the criminal and general populations and within the criminal sample when the data were examined according to offense type.     

Loneliness and social dissatisfaction in Turkish adolescents

The present study is an investigation of the relationships of sociometric status, gender, and academic achievement to loneliness levels of Turkish adolescents. Participants were 370 secondary school students (186 girls and 184 boys). Data on loneliness and social dissatisfaction levels of students were collected with the Turkish version of S. R. Asher and V. A. Wheeler's (1985) Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Scale. Sociometric data were gathered by using a rating scale and a positive nomination measure devised by S. R. Asher and K. A. Dodge (1986) in which participants were classified into one of four groups (popular, rejected, neglected, and controversial). The scores obtained from these measures were treated by a method similar to that of J. D. Coie, K. A. Dodge, and H. Coppotelli's (1982) standard score approach. Results revealed that sociometric status was significantly related to loneliness and social dissatisfaction as a function of peer relations. Members of the rejected group reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and social dissatisfaction than did members of the controversial, popular, and neglected groups. The controversial group was also significantly different from the popular group in loneliness level. No significant gender differences were found. Results also revealed a significant negative relationship between achievement scores and loneliness, indicating that as the level of loneliness increased, academic achievement decreased.     

People with Chronic Pain and Caregivers: Experiencing Loneliness and Coping with It

The present study examined the experience of loneliness and the ways of coping with its pain as utilized by people with chronic pain and caregivers. Specifically, a large sample (N = 827) recruited in two major pain clinics in Israel, completed the Loneliness and the Coping with loneliness questionnaires. Results indicated that patients had higher scores than caregivers in Emotional distress, Social inadequacy and alienation, Interpersonal isolation, and in Self-alienation. There was no significant difference between the groups in the Growth and discovery subscale. Comparing patients and caregivers on coping with loneliness, patients had higher scores than caregivers in Reflection and acceptance, and in Self-development and understanding. No significant difference between the groups was found in Social support, Distancing and denial, Religion and faith, and on Increased activity.     

Age and gender differences in and personality correlates of loneliness in different relationships

This study examined age and gender differences in and personality correlates of loneliness in different relationships. Loneliness was measured in three groups of subjects (college men, college women, and elderly women) with the Differential Loneliness Scale which assesses dissatisfaction with four types of relationships (Family, Larger Groups, Friendships, and Romantic/Sexual). Age and gender differences were significant. Compared to elderly women, college women expressed more dissatisfaction with their Family and Large Group relationships. Compared to college women, elderly women expressed more dissatisfaction with their Friendships and Romantic/Sexual relationships. With regard to gender differences, college men expressed more dissatisfaction with Family, Large Group, and Friendship relationships than college women. For each subject group, dissatisfaction scores were correlated with health status, locus of control, social support, depression, and self-consciousness. Correlations varied with type of relationship as well as with age and gender. The group differences and the varying patterns of correlations support the use of a multidimensional approach to the study of loneliness. Results are discussed in terms of previous research and future investigations.     

儿童的同伴交往与孤独感:一项2年纵向研究

用提名法和问卷法对小学的3、4年级274名儿童进行两年追踪调查,采用交叉滞后设计,考察了同伴交往4个特征水平上的变量与孤独感的相互预测关系。结果发现：（1）自我报告的同伴交往变量——友谊质量和社交自我知觉与孤独感之间的交叉滞后效应显著;而同伴评定的同伴交往变量——积极提名、消极提名、受同伴欺负、消极退缩与孤独感之间的交叉滞后效应不显著;另外,前测的互选朋友数能显著负向预测后测的孤独感,前测的孤独感不能显著预测后测的互选朋友数。（2）在排除了早期其它变量的效应之后,积极提名分、消极提名分、受同伴欺负得分、消极退缩得分、互选朋友数在两年之间仍然呈现出高度的稳定性;友谊质量和社交自我知觉以及孤独感则表现出中等程度的稳定性     

Social and emotional loneliness: an examination of Weiss's typology of loneliness

This study examined Weiss' conceptualization of social and emotional loneliness. Using data from an extensive survey of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Iowa, we measured social and emotional loneliness, students' affective and behavioral reactions to loneliness, students' social relationships, and their judgments of the degree to which their relationships supply the six social provisions described by Weiss. As expected, we found differences in the subjective experiences of social and emotional loneliness, although both forms of loneliness were also characterized by a common core of experiences. The results generally supported Weiss's ideas concerning the determinants of social and emotional loneliness. Predictions concerning the affective and behavioral consequences associated with each type of loneliness, however, were only partly supported, although the two forms of loneliness were associated with different affective reactions and coping behaviors. The implications of these findings for Weiss's typology of loneliness are discussed.     

Are There Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Academic Performance and Social Behavior?

A growing body of research suggests that peer-related communication skills and experiences may facilitate academic achievement, especially in the college environment. However, there is substantial evidence that men and women differ in peer-related interaction skills and patterns, suggesting that there may be gender differences in the relationship between academic performance and interaction with peers. Thus far, only one study has systematically examined this gender difference: that of Nezlek, Wheeler, and Rets. In their 1990 work, they reported data that they interpreted as supporting the existence of gender differences in the relationship between the scholastic performance of college students and aspects of their social interactions. The current article presents a reanalysis of their data, snowing that there are no gender differences in the relationship between academic achievement and social participation. This article also reports a study assessing gender differences in relationships between academic performance and loneliness, communication skills, and social acceptance. Participants (208 college students) completed the revised UCLA loneliness scale, tasks assessing five communication skills, and sociometric measures providing multiple indices of social acceptance. Cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) were obtained from the university registrar. Although several significant associations were detected between CPA and the loneliness and communication skill measures, no gender differences in the associations were found. The results are discussed in terms of relationships between the orientations that students exhibit toward peers and their studies.     

Age, culture, and loneliness among czechs and canadians

The present study examined the influence of cultural background on the experience of loneliness. One hundred and ninety-four Canadians and 209 participants from the Czech Republic formed the subject pool. Rather than compare the two populations and disregard the within and between age differences, the cultural groups were divided into age subgroups. These were young adults (18–30 years old), adults (31–59) and seniors (60–89). They answered a 30-item yes/no questionnaire. The questionnaire is composed of five subscales, namely. Emotional Distress, Social Inadequacy and Alienation, Growth and Discovery, Interpersonal Isolation, and Self-Alienation. Results indicated that overall, the cultural groups differed in their experiences of loneliness. Further, when each age group was compared across the two cultures, it was evident that the age groups scored significantly differently from its counterparts in the other culture. Scores of different age groups within cultures were also examined. This study was supported by York University's Grant # 496055     

Age,culture, and loneliness among czechs and canadians

The present study examined the influence of cultural background on the experience of loneliness. One hundred and ninety-four Canadians and 209 participants from the Czech Republic formed the subject pool. Rather than compare the two populations and disregard the within and between age differences, the cultural groups were divided into age subgroups. These were young adults (18–30 years old), adults (31–59) and seniors (60–89). They answered a 30-item yes/no questionnaire. The questionnaire is composed of five subscales, namely. Emotional Distress, Social Inadequacy and Alienation, Growth and Discovery, Interpersonal Isolation, and Self-Alienation. Results indicated that overall, the cultural groups differed in their experiences of loneliness. Further, when each age group was compared across the two cultures, it was evident that the age groups scored significantly differently from its counterparts in the other culture. Scores of different age groups within cultures were also examined. This study was supported by York University's Grant # 496055     

Loneliness,Religiousness, and Purpose in Life in the Oldest Old

ABSTRACT

Two groups of Norwegian individuals 80 years of age and older, one living in nursing homes and one in the community, were compared with respect to loneliness, religiousness, purpose in life (PIL), and age group. There were no differences in loneliness identified between groups with regard to residence. Community residents between 80–89 years reported significantly higher loneliness scores than did the age group between 90–105 years. A majority of all subjects reported religion to be important, but age group comparisons yielded non-significant results. Residents living in the community reported significantly higher PIL scores than did residents in institutions. In addition, the community group 90–105 years old reported significantly higher PIL scores compared to the age group of 80–89 years. Analysis of variance showed significantly higher (negative) correlations between loneliness and purpose in life than between these phenomena and religiousness.     

Senior Service Centers: A Comparison of Affiliated and Nonaffiliated Participants

The authors divided 275 elderly volunteers into 2 groups (affiliated and non‐affiliated participants) and examined demographic, emotional, and practical issues that affect elderly people. There were significant differences between the groups on issues of loneliness, nutrition, and overall quality of life.     

Sex differences in social support, loneliness, and depression among Korean college students

This study examined the sex differences in reports of social support (network size and satisfaction), loneliness, and depression among Korean college students and examined whether measures of social support and loneliness predicted depression scores. In the sample were 452 college students enrolled in four universities in Korea. The women reported a larger social support network size and being less satisfied with their support than the men. Women reported higher scores on the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory than men. Social support satisfaction scores and network size on the Social Support Questionnaire-6 and scores on the Loneliness Scale predicted scores on Depression in both the groups. Loneliness was the largest predictor of Depression for either sex. The amount of variance in Depression accounted for by Loneliness was 35% for women and 24% for men.     

人际交往能力与生命意义的关系:孤独感和年级的作用

基于存在主义心理学理论,本研究采用人际交往能力问卷、孤独感量表和生命意义量表对福建省三所大学的1476名大一和大二学生进行调查,考察人际交往能力与生命意义的关系,以及孤独感的中介作用和年级的调节作用。结果表明：（1）交往能力和孤独感存在显著的性别差异。男生的交往能力显著高于女生,孤独感显著低于女生;（2）交往能力与孤独感呈显著负相关,与拥有意义和追寻意义均呈显著正相关,而孤独感与它们均呈显著负相关;（3）孤独感在交往能力与拥有生命意义之间的中介作用受到年级的调节。与大二学生相比,大一新生孤独感的中介效应更大。研究结果在一定程度上揭示了交往能力对生命意义的作用过程,为针对性提升大学新生生命意义提供方向指导和实证依据。     

人际交往能力与生命意义的关系:孤独感和年级的作用

基于存在主义心理学理论,本研究采用人际交往能力问卷、孤独感量表和生命意义量表对福建省三所大学的1476名大一和大二学生进行调查,考察人际交往能力与生命意义的关系,以及孤独感的中介作用和年级的调节作用。结果表明：（1）交往能力和孤独感存在显著的性别差异。男生的交往能力显著高于女生,孤独感显著低于女生;（2）交往能力与孤独感呈显著负相关,与拥有意义和追寻意义均呈显著正相关,而孤独感与它们均呈显著负相关;（3）孤独感在交往能力与拥有生命意义之间的中介作用受到年级的调节。与大二学生相比,大一新生孤独感的中介效应更大。研究结果在一定程度上揭示了交往能力对生命意义的作用过程,为针对性提升大学新生生命意义提供方向指导和实证依据。     

Self-perception of the antecedents of loneliness among new mothers and pregnant women

This study examined the perceived causes of loneliness of pregnant women and mothers during the first year after childbirth experience. These were compared with the causes of loneliness of women in the general population. 91 pregnant women, 97 women during the first year following childbirth, and 208 women from the general population (M age = 30.4, SD = 10.4) answered a 29-item Loneliness Antecedents Questionnaire. In the questionnaire were 5 dimensions of sources of loneliness, namely, Personal Inadequacies, Developmental Deficits, Unfulfilling Intimate Relationships, Relocation/Significant Separation, and Social Marginality. Sources of loneliness were significantly different amongst the three groups. The differences were confined to the Personal Inadequacies, and the Relocation/Significant Separation subscales. In both, women from the general population had the highest mean subscale scores.     

儿童孤独感与同伴关系、社会行为及社交自我知觉的研究

本研究采用同伴提名法和问卷调查法对3-6年级儿童共600名进行了研究,试图考察儿童孤独感与同伴关系、社会行为及社交自我知觉的关系。结果表明:(1)受欢迎组儿童的孤独感显著低于被拒绝组、被忽视组、有争议组和一般组;一般组儿童的孤独感显著低于被拒绝组和被忽视组。(2)社交自我知觉较高的儿童的孤独感显著低于社交自我知觉一般和较低的儿童,社交自我知觉一般的儿童的孤独感显著低于社交自我知觉较低的儿童。(3)高攻击型儿童的孤独感高于低攻击型儿童,但没有达到显著水平;高退缩型儿童的孤独感显著高于一般退缩型和低退缩型儿童,一般退缩型儿童的孤独感显著高于低退缩型的儿童。     

日益孤独的中国老年人：一项横断历史研究

随着社会的巨大变迁, 我国老年人孤独感水平可能逐年增高。通过采用横断历史研究的方法, 对使用UCLA孤独量表(第三版)调查老年人孤独感的25篇文献进行元分析, 调查年代跨度为1995年至2011年, 共涉及13280名老年人。研究结果表明：(1)我国老年人孤独感水平随年代的变迁呈上升趋势; (2)不同婚姻状况、不同性别老年人的孤独感水平随年代均呈上升趋势; (3)老年人孤独感水平存在婚姻状况差异, 但不存在性别差异。