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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Effects Of Acute Alcohol Consumption On Executive Cognitive Functioning In Naturalistic Settings, Michael Lyvers, Juliette Tobias-Webb Sep 2010

Effects Of Acute Alcohol Consumption On Executive Cognitive Functioning In Naturalistic Settings, Michael Lyvers, Juliette Tobias-Webb

Mike Lyvers

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that acute alcohol intoxication can disrupt performance on neuropsychological tests of executive cognitive functioning such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). However, the generalizability of such findings to typical self-regulated alcohol intake in social settings can be questioned. In the present study, 86 young adults were recruited at Australian bars to perform a computer version of the WCST. Participants displayed blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) across a range from 0 to 0.15%. Although self-report measures of typical alcohol consumption, impulsivity, and frontal lobe related everyday functioning were all intercorrelated in line with other recent findings, multiple …


A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Tas-20) In An Alcohol-Dependent Sample, Fred Thorberg, Ross Young, Karen Sullivan, Michael Lyvers, Cameron Hurst, Jason Connor, Gerald Feeney Sep 2010

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Tas-20) In An Alcohol-Dependent Sample, Fred Thorberg, Ross Young, Karen Sullivan, Michael Lyvers, Cameron Hurst, Jason Connor, Gerald Feeney

Mike Lyvers

Objective: To explore the factorial validity of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in an alcohol dependent population. Methods: Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using structural equation modelling to evaluate the stability of the factor structure of the TAS-20. Based on previously reported factor structures, 1-factor, 2-factor and 3-factor models were examined, using maximum likelihood estimation. Results: Four of the five fit indices considered indicated a superior fit for the 3-factor model compared to the 2-factor and 1-factor models. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the original 3-factor model of the TAS-20 was a more plausible fit to the data compared to …


Disinhibition And Reward Sensitivity In Relation To Alcohol Consumption By University Undergraduates, Michael Lyvers, Cameron Czerczyk, Anna Follent, Phoebe Lodge Aug 2010

Disinhibition And Reward Sensitivity In Relation To Alcohol Consumption By University Undergraduates, Michael Lyvers, Cameron Czerczyk, Anna Follent, Phoebe Lodge

Mike Lyvers

Deficits of prefrontal cortex functioning and associated executive cognitive impairments are well-known correlates of chronic alcoholism and may reflect cumulative effects of high alcohol exposure. However, such associations may also reflect traits predating alcohol exposure which predispose to heavy drinking. In the present investigation, 60 university undergraduates aged 18-25 years were administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), and Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ). All participants reported they were at least occasional drinkers who rarely or never used illicit drugs and had no reported history of head injury or neurological …


Alexithymia And Alcohol Use Disorders: A Critical Review, Fred Thorberg, Ross Young, Karen Sullivan, Michael Lyvers Aug 2010

Alexithymia And Alcohol Use Disorders: A Critical Review, Fred Thorberg, Ross Young, Karen Sullivan, Michael Lyvers

Mike Lyvers

All human beings experience emotion. However a number of individuals have difficulties recognising, processing and regulating their emotions. This set of emotional “deficits’ is classified as alexithymia. The prevalence rate of alexithymia in alcohol use disorders is between 45 and 67%. The objective of this paper is to review the published research on alexithymia and alcohol use, assess the methodological quality of this evidence, and draw the findings together to present a critical update on the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol use disorders. Yet, few research studies have comprehensively investigated alexithymia in alcohol use disorders, and a number of key …


Attachment In Relation To Affect Regulation And Interpersonal Functioning Among Substance Use Disorder Inpatients, Fred Arne Thorberg, Michael Lyvers Dec 2009

Attachment In Relation To Affect Regulation And Interpersonal Functioning Among Substance Use Disorder Inpatients, Fred Arne Thorberg, Michael Lyvers

Mike Lyvers

Attachment theory has been conceptualised as an affect regulation theory, proposing that attachment is associated with the expression and recognition of emotions as well as interpersonal functioning. Previous research has reported affect regulation difficulties in substance use disorders and addiction has been considered an attachment disorder. However, scarce empirical research exists on the relationship of attachment in relation to affect regulation and interpersonal functioning in those with substance use problems. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate potential associations between attachment, negative mood regulation (NMR) expectancies, fear of intimacy and self-differentiation in substance abusers. The revised adult …