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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Alexithymia And Drinking In Young Adults: The Role Of Alcohol-Related Intrusive Thoughts, Michael Lyvers, Olena Lysychka, Fred Thorberg Aug 2015

Alexithymia And Drinking In Young Adults: The Role Of Alcohol-Related Intrusive Thoughts, Michael Lyvers, Olena Lysychka, Fred Thorberg

Mike Lyvers

Alexithymia refers to difficulties identifying and describing emotions, an externalised thinking style and a lack of imagination. Alexithymia has been linked to heavier drinking in community samples and is strongly associated with alcohol use disorders. Among patients undergoing treatment for alcohol dependence, alexithymia is associated with more intrusive thoughts about drinking. The present research asked whether this may also be the case in a non-clinical sample of social drinkers and whether such intrusive thoughts mediate the relationship between alexithymia and drinking. Participants were 113 university undergraduates aged 18–30 years who completed self-report indices of alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, or TAS-20), …


Alcohol, Pregnancy And The Developing Child, Sandra J. Kelly Jun 2015

Alcohol, Pregnancy And The Developing Child, Sandra J. Kelly

Sandra J. Kelly

No abstract provided.


Blood Alcohol Concentration Is Negatively Associated With Gambling Money Won On The Iowa Gambling Task In Naturalistic Settings After Controlling For Trait Impulsivity And Alcohol Tolerance, Michael Lyvers, Nicole Mathieson, Mark Edwards Jun 2015

Blood Alcohol Concentration Is Negatively Associated With Gambling Money Won On The Iowa Gambling Task In Naturalistic Settings After Controlling For Trait Impulsivity And Alcohol Tolerance, Michael Lyvers, Nicole Mathieson, Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards

Introduction: Acute alcohol intoxication has been found to increase perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a well known neuropsychological index of prefrontal cortical functioning, in both laboratory and naturalistic settings. Method: The present study examined the relationship between levels of alcohol consumption at campus drinking venues and performance of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), another neuropsychological test designed to assess prefrontal cortex dysfunction, after controlling for potential confounding variables including habitual alcohol intake (as a proxy for alcohol tolerance), trait impulsivity, and everyday executive functioning. Results: The 49 participants of both genders aged 18 to 30 years were …


Blood Alcohol Concentration Is Negatively Associated With Gambling Money Won On The Iowa Gambling Task In Naturalistic Settings After Controlling For Trait Impulsivity And Alcohol Tolerance, Michael Lyvers, Nicole Mathieson, Mark Edwards Jun 2015

Blood Alcohol Concentration Is Negatively Associated With Gambling Money Won On The Iowa Gambling Task In Naturalistic Settings After Controlling For Trait Impulsivity And Alcohol Tolerance, Michael Lyvers, Nicole Mathieson, Mark Edwards

Mike Lyvers

Introduction: Acute alcohol intoxication has been found to increase perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a well known neuropsychological index of prefrontal cortical functioning, in both laboratory and naturalistic settings. Method: The present study examined the relationship between levels of alcohol consumption at campus drinking venues and performance of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), another neuropsychological test designed to assess prefrontal cortex dysfunction, after controlling for potential confounding variables including habitual alcohol intake (as a proxy for alcohol tolerance), trait impulsivity, and everyday executive functioning. Results: The 49 participants of both genders aged 18 to 30 years were …


Alexithymia And Alcohol: The Roles Of Punishment Sensitivity And Drinking Motives, Michael Lyvers, Penelope Hasking, Bonnie Albrecht, Fred Thorberg Jul 2014

Alexithymia And Alcohol: The Roles Of Punishment Sensitivity And Drinking Motives, Michael Lyvers, Penelope Hasking, Bonnie Albrecht, Fred Thorberg

Mike Lyvers

Alexithymia refers to difficulties identifying and describing feelings. It is suspected of being a risk factor for problematic drinking, an idea examined by this study. In 178 women and 84 men alexithymia was associated with male gender, coping motives for drinking and sensitivity to punishment. Individuals with alexithymia reported stronger coping motives and sensitivity to punishment compared to those with borderline or no alexithymia. Path analysis indicated that the relationship between the alexithymia dimension difficulties identifying feelings and coping motives was mediated by sensitivity to punishment, and the relationship between sensitivity to punishment and risky drinking was mediated by coping …


Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies, Frontal Lobe Related Behaviors And Alcohol Use, Michael Lyvers, Fred Arne Thorberg, Adrienne Ellul, Jan Turner, Mark Bahr Sep 2013

Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies, Frontal Lobe Related Behaviors And Alcohol Use, Michael Lyvers, Fred Arne Thorberg, Adrienne Ellul, Jan Turner, Mark Bahr

Mark Bahr

Negative mood regulation (NMR) expectancies have been linked to substance problems in previous research, but the neurobiological correlates of NMR are unknown. In the present study, NMR was examined in relation to self-report indices of frontal lobe functioning, mood and alcohol use in 166 volunteers of both genders who ranged in age from 17 to 43 years. Contrary to expectations based on previous findings in addicts and problem drinkers, scores on the NMR scale did not differ between Low Risk and High Risk drinkers as defined by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). However, NMR scores were significantly negatively …


Alexithymia In Relation To Parental Alcoholism, Everyday Frontal Lobe Functioning And Alcohol Consumption In A Non-Clinical Sample, Michael Lyvers, Roy Onuoha, Fred Thorberg, Christina Samios May 2012

Alexithymia In Relation To Parental Alcoholism, Everyday Frontal Lobe Functioning And Alcohol Consumption In A Non-Clinical Sample, Michael Lyvers, Roy Onuoha, Fred Thorberg, Christina Samios

Mike Lyvers

Background: Recent studies have indicated that 45–67% of those in treatment for alcohol use disorders suffer from alexithymia, a multifaceted personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing emotions and an externally oriented cognitive style. The high reported prevalence rates of alexithymia among those with alcohol dependence led to speculation that alexithymia is a personality dimension that may predispose to risky or problematic alcohol use.Methods: This notion was examined in 314 adult volunteers (54% female) aged 18–45 years (M=27.6 years), all of whom reported at least occasional alcohol consumption,who completed online surveys assessing alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, or TAS-20), parental …


Alexithymia In Relation To Parental Alcoholism, Everyday Frontal Lobe Functioning And Alcohol Consumption In A Non-Clinical Sample, Michael Lyvers, Roy Onuoha, Fred Thorberg, Christina Samios May 2012

Alexithymia In Relation To Parental Alcoholism, Everyday Frontal Lobe Functioning And Alcohol Consumption In A Non-Clinical Sample, Michael Lyvers, Roy Onuoha, Fred Thorberg, Christina Samios

Christina Samios

Background: Recent studies have indicated that 45–67% of those in treatment for alcohol use disorders suffer from alexithymia, a multifaceted personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing emotions and an externally oriented cognitive style. The high reported prevalence rates of alexithymia among those with alcohol dependence led to speculation that alexithymia is a personality dimension that may predispose to risky or problematic alcohol use.Methods: This notion was examined in 314 adult volunteers (54% female) aged 18–45 years (M=27.6 years), all of whom reported at least occasional alcohol consumption,who completed online surveys assessing alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, or TAS-20), parental …


Public Perception Study 2011: Mental Illness, Drug And Alcohol Abuse, Oscar T. Mcknight Oct 2011

Public Perception Study 2011: Mental Illness, Drug And Alcohol Abuse, Oscar T. Mcknight

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This study examined the public perception of mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse. Field-interviews with participants occurred "on the street" with no difficulty. Participants offered ten general recommendations to professionals developing programs for mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse. The public stressed the professional responsibilities of physicians, pharmacists, counselors and teachers to prevent drug abuse.


Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies, Frontal Lobe Related Behaviors And Alcohol Use, Michael Lyvers, Fred Arne Thorberg, Adrienne Ellul, Jan Turner, Mark Bahr Sep 2011

Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies, Frontal Lobe Related Behaviors And Alcohol Use, Michael Lyvers, Fred Arne Thorberg, Adrienne Ellul, Jan Turner, Mark Bahr

Mike Lyvers

Negative mood regulation (NMR) expectancies have been linked to substance problems in previous research, but the neurobiological correlates of NMR are unknown. In the present study, NMR was examined in relation to self-report indices of frontal lobe functioning, mood and alcohol use in 166 volunteers of both genders who ranged in age from 17 to 43 years. Contrary to expectations based on previous findings in addicts and problem drinkers, scores on the NMR scale did not differ between Low Risk and High Risk drinkers as defined by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). However, NMR scores were significantly negatively …


Impaired Perceptual Judgement At Low Blood Alcohol Concentrations, Tim Friedman, S Robinson, G Yelland Dec 2010

Impaired Perceptual Judgement At Low Blood Alcohol Concentrations, Tim Friedman, S Robinson, G Yelland

Dr Tim Friedman

Males and females show different patterns of cognitive impairment when blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) are high. To investigate whether gender differences persist at low BACs, cognitive impairment was tested in 21 participants (11 female, 10 male) using a brief computerized perceptual judgment task that provides error rate and response time data. Participants consumed a measured dose of alcohol (average peak BAC: females: 0.052 g/100 mL, males: 0.055 g/100 mL), and were tested at four time points spanning both the rising and falling limbs of the BAC curve, in addition to a prealcohol time point. Comparisons were made against performance of …


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 …


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 …


Beer Goggles: Blood Alcohol Concentration In Relation To Attractiveness Ratings For Unfamiliar Opposite Sex Faces In Naturalistic Settings, Michael Lyvers, E. Cholakians, M. Puorro, S. Sundram Mar 2009

Beer Goggles: Blood Alcohol Concentration In Relation To Attractiveness Ratings For Unfamiliar Opposite Sex Faces In Naturalistic Settings, Michael Lyvers, E. Cholakians, M. Puorro, S. Sundram

Mike Lyvers

The popular notion that alcohol intoxication enhances perceptions of the physical attractiveness of the opposite sex has been inconsistently supported. The current study tested intoxicated and non-intoxicated persons of both genders in naturalistic settings after measuring their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by a breath test. A sample of 80 heterosexual university student social drinkers was recruited at a campus pub and campus parties over a 3-month period to take a survey rating the attractiveness of unfamiliar faces of the opposite gender presented in photographs. Attractiveness ratings were positively correlated with BAC. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted on attractiveness ratings …


“Loss Of Control” In Alcoholism And Drug Addiction: A Neuroscientific Interpretation, Michael Lyvers Feb 2009

“Loss Of Control” In Alcoholism And Drug Addiction: A Neuroscientific Interpretation, Michael Lyvers

Mike Lyvers

Considerable neurological evidence indicates that the prefrontal cortex mediates complex "executive" functions including behavioral autonomy and self-control. Given that impairments of self-control are characteristic of alcoholism and other drug addictions, frontal lobe dysfunction may play a significant role in such compulsive behaviors. Consistent with this idea, recent research using brain imaging, neuropsychological testing, and other techniques has revealed that the frontal lobes are particularly vulnerable to the acute and chronic effects of addictive drugs, especially alcohol and cocaine. Evidence implicating a hyperdopaminergic mechanism of acute and chronic drug-induced frontal lobe dysfunction and interactions with premorbid factors and stress are discussed.


An Exploration Of Fraternity Culture: Implications For Programs To Address Alcohol-Related Sexual Assault., John D. Foubert, Dallas Garner, Peter J. Thaxter Dec 2005

An Exploration Of Fraternity Culture: Implications For Programs To Address Alcohol-Related Sexual Assault., John D. Foubert, Dallas Garner, Peter J. Thaxter

John D. Foubert

Focus groups with fraternity men were conducted to assess the aspects of fraternity culture that intersect with alcohol related sexual assault.