Diagnosis Of Addiction Research Articles

Patterns and Challenges in Help-Seeking for Addiction among Men: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: Addictive and substance-related disorders represent a substantial public health challenge, marked by rising incidence and prevalence rates. Men and women exhibit different patterns of help-seeking for health and social issues including addictions. This research aimed to analyze the help-seeking process among men with addiction to improve understanding and develop more effective, person-centered treatments. Methods: This systematic review was performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol of the revision was registered in advance in PROSPERO. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Results: Based on the literature search, 16 studies were included in the current systematic review. The analyzed studies included seven on substance-use disorders, three on gambling disorder, two on tobacco-use disorder, two addressing substance-related disorders in general, one on opioid-use disorder, and one focused on marijuana use. Gender differences influenced help-seeking behavior, with women generally exhibiting a higher propensity to seek assistance for addiction-related issues than men. Seeking help for addiction-whether substance use or gambling-can be hindered by several barriers, particularly public stigma and discrimination, which tend to be more pronounced for alcohol and gambling compared to tobacco. Additional barriers in the help-seeking process include negative beliefs and attitudes toward seeking help, often associated with traditional male gender roles. Each substance-use disorder was analyzed in depth to gain a better understanding of the barriers faced by this population. Conclusions: Integrating a gender perspective into the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of addiction is essential. As addiction patterns vary between men and women, approaches must be tailored accordingly. Recognizing men as a distinct group in research and clinical practice is also crucial for developing more effective and personalized treatments.

Addiction and Anxiety Counselling

Addiction and anxiety often go hand in hand. Depression may be the reason an addict begins using drugs or alcohol or, it may develop as the addiction progresses. Dual diagnosis of addiction and anxiety is, when a person has an addiction plus a psychiatric illness such as anxiety, doctors say that they have a “dual diagnosis”. The term is a reminder for the counsellors, physicians, and other medical professionals that this client has extra challenges on the road to recovery. Depression and other psychiatric illnesses increase the risk of addiction. Of all people who are diagnosed as having a psychiatric illness, roughly 29% are alcohol or drug abusers. As many as 37% of people who abuse alcohol and 53% of people who abuse drugs, have at least one serious mental illness. Depression, already common in the general population, is even more common among alcoholics and drug abusers. In this paper highlights the symptoms, causes, factors and counselling techniques of Addiction and Anxiety.

The Relationship between Sleep Quality and Smartphone Addiction among Adolescents

Introduction: Technological developments have increased the usage of mobile equipment. Using a smartphone became a part of life and accentuated its usage day aftr day especially in adolescent groups. Aim: The study was aimed to examine the relationship between sleep quality and smartphone addiction of adolescents. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 1192 high school students between March and June 2019. Data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, Smartphone Addiction Scale. The data were evaluated through percentile distributions, means, independent samples t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses. Results: The mean age of adolescents was determined to be 15.79 ± 0.96, with the mean total score of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index was 6.05 ± 3.04 and the Smartphone Addiction Scale was 36.01 ± 10.82. Statistically signifiant diffrences were observed among adolescents concerning gender, grade, daily smartphone usage duration, internet accessibility, and the use of smartphones before bedtime, impacting both sleep quality and smartphone addiction (p < 0.05). A positive and meaningful correlation was found between sleep quality and smartphone addiction in adolescents (p < 0.05). Conclusion: As the smartphone addiction increases, sleep quality decreases. Adequate sleep is crucial during the growth spurt period. It is evaluated that early diagnosis and prevention of smartphone addiction in adolescents could make a signifiant contribution to the protection and promotion of adolescent health.

The ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and momentary food addiction symptoms.

This study assessed the ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0) with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and explored the internal consistency and convergent validity of a momentary food addiction scale. Adults (N = 49) who met criteria for binge-eating disorder and/or food addiction (age = 34.9 ± 12.1 years; 77.1% cisgender female; 55.1% non-Hispanic White) completed online questionnaires and a 10-day EMA protocol. Analyses examined (a) associations between the YFAS 2.0 and EMA-measured variables corresponding to food addiction criteria, (b) reliability of a momentary food addiction scale (EMA-FA), and (c) concurrent associations between EMA-FA and EMA-measured negative affect, impulsivity, eating expectancies, body satisfaction, consumption of palatable food, and taste response to palatable food. YFAS scores were associated with EMA-reported variables corresponding to food addiction criteria (ps < .045). The multilevel reliability for EMA-FA was adequate (ω = .75-.94). Individuals with higher EMA-FA scores reported greater negative affect, impulsivity, appetite, palatable food consumption, taste response to palatable food, and contrary to expectations, greater body satisfaction (ps < .01). Within-person effects emerged for EMA-FA predicting higher negative affect, impulsivity, likelihood of palatable food consumption, more pleasurable taste responses after consuming palatable foods, yet lower body satisfaction, appetite, and eating expectancies (ps < .01). Results support the ecological validity of the YFAS 2.0, and additional evidence of convergent validity and internal consistency was demonstrated for a momentary food addiction scale. This assessment of the psychometric properties of the YFAS will ultimately further its utility and relevance in the study and diagnosis of food addiction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Legal mechanisms for gambling addiction protection: analysis of an emerging regulatory model in Ukraine

The purpose of this article is to analyze the legislation of Ukraine on the protection of gambling players from the formation of gambling addiction, to identify ways and means of protection, to evaluate their effectiveness and to formulate proposals for improving (strengthening) the protection of the rights of gambling players. The research used general scientific and special scientific methods of scientific knowledge. In particular, the dialectical method of learning the phenomena of the surrounding reality, comparative-legal, systemic-structural, methods of logic (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy). Many prevention measures have already been implemented in Ukraine. In addition, the player is protected by the right to receive free psychosocial assistance in the event of problems with gambling and free medical assistance in the event of a diagnosis of gambling addiction. The state also provides free socio-psychological rehabilitation of players during and after treatment for gaming addiction. The disadvantage is the bringing of the player to administrative responsibility for participating in illegal gambling and the impossibility of recognizing him as a victim in criminal proceedings to compensate for the damage caused by the crime (engagement in the gambling business).

The impact of unemployment on alcohol consumption: A panel data analysis

Several books and articles published in the last few decades have looked at how alcohol use has affected the job market globally. This study attempted to determine how specific labour market shocks (such as losing a job) influence alcohol intake on an individual level to clarify the existing research. We went deeper into the subject of whether or not losing one's job increases the likelihood of alcohol abuse. We estimated models with fixed effects using panel data at the individual level from the National Income Dynamic Survey's Waves 1 and 5. (NIDS) to account for possible omitted variable bias. We calculated the gender-specific impacts of alterations in work status on the total intake of alcohol, occurrences of binge drinking and the diagnosis of alcohol addiction and dependency. The results consistently demonstrate a favorable and substantial impact of unemployment on drinking habits and these findings remain strong even when subjected to various robustness tests. The study concludes that being unemployed for more than a year causes people to consume less alcohol, perhaps as a result of financial stress. It is impossible to determine a precise cause-and-effect link but high unemployment rates may contribute to mental health problems including stress and depression which might be detrimental to public health. It is advisable to take into account the individual expenses and consequences related to alcohol consumption when making fiscal policy decisions aimed at boosting the economy particularly during economic recessions.

Research of cognitive disorders and quality of life in patients, who are receiving methadone replacement maintenance therapy

IntroductionImportant goals of substitution therapy include: reducing the desire to use opioids - methadone enters the brain with a minimal euphoric effect, reduce the desire to use opioids, allowing to avoid the risk of overdose and control their addiction; prevention of withdrawal syndrome; improving the quality of life - can contribute to the restoration of patients, allowing them to return to a normal life, improve their social, professional and family situation; reducing the risk of transmission of infections HIV and hepatitis; reducing crime - control addiction can reduce related crime and to illicitly obtain opioids; psychosocial support helps patients develop coping strategies and increases their chances of long-term recovery.The goal of substitution therapy is not to completely get rid of addiction, but it can help stabilize the patient’s life and facilitate the recovery process.ObjectivesMany patients receiving MT also have mental disorders such as cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, PTSD, or even bipolar disorder. These conditions can greatly affect the course and results of treatment.They may also have problems with employment, housing, family conflicts, and legal issues.MethodsIn the course of the study, 134 patients aged 26 to 64 years (105 men and 29 women) with a diagnosis of opioid addiction and receiving methadone therapy were examined. Of them, 48 patients had a period of stay at MT of up to three years and 86 – more than three years. The Montreal Cognitive Scale (MoCA) was used to assess comorbid cognitive impairments. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life.ResultsThe range of indicators of cognitive functions varied from 21 to 29 points (average - 25.3). 61 patients (46%) showed a result of 26 and above, indicating the absence of cognitive impairment, 51 patients (38%) received from 24 to 21, indicating moderate cognitive impairment. 22 patients (16%) had borderline indicators.When assessing the level of quality of life, indicators of physical and psychological components varied from 12 to 31; self-perception in the range from 10 to 27 points; microsocial support from 3 to 14 points; social well-being from 11 to 36. In general, the level of satisfaction with the quality of life was in the range of 38-83%.Image:Image 2:ConclusionsOpioid addiction therapy should be consist of an assessment of physical and psychological status, comorbid disorders, quality of life, etc. We can see, MT does not significantly affect the cognitive functions. The differences in the assessment of the quality of life were noted in the components of microsocial support and social well-being, which indicates the vulnerability of patients in these areas. Duration of opioid dependence, availability of psychosocial support, presence of comorbid conditions affect the quality of life. It is important that treatment is tailored to individual needs of patients.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Analysis of the Relationship between Psychiatric and Addiction-Related Disorders in Patients of an Outpatient Addiction Treatment Clinic for Children and Adolescents.

Dual diagnosis is used in addiction medicine to refer to the co-occurrence of an addiction-related disorder and another psychiatric disorder in the same individual. Adolescence is a key period for the development of both mental disorders and addictions. The aim of this study is to describe the relationships between psychiatric and addiction-related disorders in patients of the Outpatient Addiction Treatment Clinic for Children and Adolescents at the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague in 2015-2022. Data were retrospectively analyzed from the hospital's medical system, which collects basic diagnostic data on patients. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis were performed to identify relationships between psychiatric and addiction-related disorders. Of the 450 patients, 153 patients (34%) met the criteria for dual diagnosis. The most common addiction-related disorders were mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of cannabinoids (35%) and internet gaming disorder (35%). The most common psychiatric diagnoses were behavioural and emotional disorders with usual onset in childhood and adolescence (64%), with a lower prevalence in girls than in boys. These findings may be important for the diagnosis and treatment of risky behaviours and addictions in children and adolescents.

Individual Placement and Support for persons with alcohol and drug addiction in a Swedish context (IPS-ADAS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundEmployment is a vital source for experiencing well-being and lowering the risk of long-term social marginalisation and poverty. For persons with alcohol and drug addiction, it may also improve sobriety. However, the unemployment situation for this group reflects the knowledge gap in effective interventions to support employment. While Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is recognised as evidence-based supported employment for those with serious mental health problems, no scientific evidence for the target group of addiction exists to date. The aim of the present IPS for Alcohol and Drug Addiction in Sweden (IPS-ADAS) trial is to study whether IPS has an effect on gaining employment for this group.MethodsThe IPS-ADAS trial is a multisite, pragmatic, parallel, and single-blinded, superiority randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants (N = 330) will be randomly assigned (1:1) and participate in IPS plus treatment as usual within Addiction Services (IPS + TAU) or Traditional Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) available plus TAU (TVR + TAU) for 12 months. The principle of intention-to-treat (ITT) will be applied. The hypothesis is that a significantly larger proportion of IPS + TAU participants will be employed for > 1 day (primary outcome), reach employment sooner, work more hours and longer periods of time, and have a higher income as compared to TVR + TAU participants at 18-month follow-up. We further anticipate that those who benefit from IPS + TAU will use less alcohol and drugs, experience better health, and use less care and support, including support from the justice system, in comparison to TVR + TAU participants, at 6, 12, and 18 months. A supplementary process evaluation, using the IPS Fidelity Scale (25 items) and adhered interviews will address delivery and receipt of the IPS as well as contextual hinders and barriers for coproduction and implementation. Working age (18–65), willingness to work, unemployment, participation in an information meeting about the RCT, treatment for addiction diagnosis, and being financially supported by welfare, constitute eligible criteria.DiscussionA primary study on the effectiveness of IPS on employment for the new target group of addictions will add to the international IPS knowledge base and inform national policy to include the underrepresented group in working life.Trial registrationWHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform ISRCTN10492363. Registered on 14 August 2023.

The Influence of Genetic Polymorphic Variability of the Catechol-O-methyltransferase Gene in a Group of Patients with a Diagnosis of Behavioural Addiction, including Personality Traits.

Gambling Disorder (GD) is characterised by a harmful, enduring, and recurrent involvement in betting-related behaviours. Therefore, GD shares similar biological mechanisms and symptoms to substance use disorders (SUD). Therefore, in this study, we chose the behavioural addictions group. During the examination and recruitment to the study, it turned out that all the people undergoing treatment for gambling addiction were also addicted to amphetamines, which is consistent with the biological mechanism related to cerebral neurotransmission. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of the COMT gene polymorphism with behavioral addiction. The study group consisted of 307 participants: 107 men with gambling disorder and amphetamine dependency (mean age = 27.51, SD = 5.25) and 200 non-addicted, nor dependent, free from neuro-psychiatric disorders control group men (mean age = 20.20, SD = 4.51). Both groups were subjected to psychometric evaluation using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood following standard protocols. Determination of the rs4680 polymorphism in the COMT gene was performed using the real-time PCR technique. Statistically significant differences in the frequency of rs4680 genotypes were found in the tested sample of subjects compared with the control group (p = 0.03543). Subjects with gambling disorder and amphetamine use disorder compared to the control group obtained higher scores in the assessment of the STAI trait scale (p = 0.0019), state scale (p < 0.0000), and NEO-FFI Neuroticism scale (p < 0.0000). Significantly lower results were obtained for the NEO-FFI Agreeability scale (p < 0.0000). Additionally, a significant statistical impact of gambling disorder and amphetamine use disorder, and the COMT rs4680 genotype was demonstrated for the score of the STAI trait (p = 0.0351) and state (p = 0.0343) and the NEO-FFI Conscientiousness scale (p = 0.0018). We conclude that COMT and its polymorphic variant influence the development of addiction. Still, considering its multifactorial and polygenic nature, it should be combined with other factors such as personality.

Medical and genetic correlates of long-term buprenorphine treatment in the electronic health records

Despite the benefits associated with longer buprenorphine treatment duration (i.e., >180 days) (BTD) for opioid use disorder (OUD), retention remains poor. Research on the impact of co-occurring psychiatric issues on BTD has yielded mixed results. It is also unknown whether the genetic risk in the form of polygenic scores (PGS) for OUD and other comorbid conditions, including problematic alcohol use (PAU) are associated with BTD. We tested the association between somatic and psychiatric comorbidities and long BTD and determined whether PGS for OUD-related conditions was associated with BTD. The study included 6686 individuals with a buprenorphine prescription that lasted for less than 6 months (short-BTD) and 1282 individuals with a buprenorphine prescription that lasted for at least 6 months (long-BTD). Recorded diagnosis of substance addiction and disorders (Odds Ratio (95% CI) = 22.14 (21.88–22.41), P = 2.8 × 10−116), tobacco use disorder (OR (95% CI) = 23.4 (23.13–23.68), P = 4.5 × 10−111), and bipolar disorder (OR(95% CI) = 9.70 (9.48–9.92), P = 1.3 × 10−91), among others, were associated with longer BTD. The PGS of OUD and several OUD co-morbid conditions were associated with any buprenorphine prescription. A higher PGS for OUD (OR per SD increase in PGS (95%CI) = 1.43(1.16–1.77), P = 0.0009), loneliness (OR(95% CI) = 1.39(1.13–1.72), P = 0.002), problematic alcohol use (OR(95%CI) = 1.47(1.19–1.83), P = 0.0004), and externalizing disorders (OR(95%CI) = 1.52(1.23 to 1.89), P = 0.0001) was significantly associated with long-BTD. Associations between BTD and the PGS of depression, chronic pain, nicotine dependence, cannabis use disorder, and bipolar disorder did not survive correction for multiple testing. Longer BTD is associated with diagnoses of psychiatric and somatic conditions in the EHR, as is the genetic score for OUD, loneliness, problematic alcohol use, and externalizing disorders.

Sex differences in the clinical presentation of early psychosis in a primary care setting.

Primary care is an important part of the help-seeking pathway for young people experiencing early psychosis, but sex differences in clinical presentation in these settings are unexplored. We aimed to identify sex differences in clinical presentation to primary care services in the 1-year period prior to a first diagnosis of psychotic disorder. We identified first-onset cases of non-affective psychotic disorder over a 10-year period (2005-2015) using health administrative data linked with electronic medical records (EMRs) from primary care (n = 465). Detailed information on encounters in the year prior to first diagnosis was abstracted, including psychiatric symptoms, other relevant behaviours, and diagnoses recorded by the family physician (FP). We used modified Poisson regression models to examine sex differences in the signs, symptoms, and diagnoses recorded by the FP, adjusting for various clinical and sociodemographic factors. Positive symptoms (PR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.58, 0.98) and substance use (PR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.40, 0.72) were less prevalent in the medical records of women. Visits by women were more likely to be assigned a diagnosis of depression or anxiety (PR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.38), personality disorder (PR = 5.49, 95%CI: 1.22, 24.62), psychological distress (PR = 11.29, 95%CI: 1.23, 103.91), and other mental or behavioral disorders (PR = 3.49, 95%CI: 1.14, 10.66) and less likely to be assigned a diagnosis of addiction (PR = 0.33, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.87). We identified evidence of sex differences in the clinical presentation of early psychosis and recorded diagnoses in the primary care EMR. Further research is needed to better understand sex differences in clinical presentation in the primary care context, which can facilitate better understanding, detection, and intervention for first-episode psychotic disorders.

Assessing the relationship of psychological health with addiction to food.

Background: Food addiction is a behavioral addiction toward foods with high fat and sugar content that leads to overeating. In clinical practice, there is no diagnosis of addiction because diagnostic criteria focus on symptoms, distress, and impairment in daily functioning. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship of psychological health with addiction to food.&#x0D; Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 1200 participants aged between 15 and 60. The relationship between food addiction towards emotional and physical health was assessed using Yale Food Addiction Scale; items were rated and scored using a) a five-point Likert scale for assessing food addiction and b) a two-point scale used for assessing psychological health.&#x0D; Results: It was found that most of the participants had mild food addiction (66.5%). It was found that 65.5% of participants had mild psychological problems. When the food addiction was assessed in association with the demographic variable, a significant association was found for gender (P-value=0.009), BMI (P-value=0.024), lifestyle activity (P-value= 0.038), and family history (P-value=0.000).&#x0D; Conclusion: It was found that increased food addiction might lead to increased psychological problems.

Systematic use of LSD, mephedron and amanita muscaria without signs mental and addictive pathology. The case of Daria D.

The article describes the case of Daria D., 23 years old, who has been using various drugs (LSD, marijuana, mephedrone) for a number of years and independently abandoned using drags with the transition to the use of microdoses of red fly agaric (Amanita Muskaria). Her mental and addictive status is analyzed. It is concluded that, despite the systematic use of drugs, there are no grounds for making Darya D. a psychiatric or addiction diagnosis.

Doctors Diagnosing Addiction – Are the Blind Leading the Blind?

This paper addresses the questions, “are clinicians who treat patients in pain – or even specialists in addiction medicine -- appropriately prepared to accurately diagnose opioid use disorder? Further, is prevailing public policy on pain management employing opioid analgesics firmly grounded in science?” The author summarizes key findings from reviews of pertinent medical literature on pain treatment and diagnosis of substance use disorder.  Medical doctors are widely understood to be inadequately trained in diagnosis of both pain and addiction among their patients.  There is currently no consensus standard of practice to guide clinicians in either prescription of opioids or diagnosis of “substance use disorder” among patients treated for pain.  Available medical literature and clinical experience do not support the thesis that clinicians prescribing in a continuing relationship with pain patients have contributed measurably to the widely discussed US “opioid crisis” .  General principles on the management of pain and the diagnosis of substance use disorder do exist but are not widely understood by practicing clinicians. Entry of a “substance use disorder” or “addiction” code in patient electronic medical records can be a literal “kiss of death” for ongoing treatment of severe pain. Thus it seems necessary to caution clinicians who treat pain - and policy makers who oversee them - that much of what they think they “know” about substance use disorder and its causes may no longer be current or may have been wrong in the first place.

Evaluation of microRNA let-7b-3p expression levels in methamphetamine abuse

In this study, we aimed to identify a microRNA expression signature that could be used to distinguish methamphetamine from control samples. We also utilized the existing bioinformatics tools in order to predict the candidate microRNAs that could play potential key roles in regulating drug addiction-related genes. Methamphetamine samples from 21 ventral tegmental area and 21 nucleus accumbens samples and their control regions were obtained from the Council of Forensic Medicine (Istanbul). Quantitative analysis of let-7b-3p was studied using quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's t-test. The receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0). Our quantitative reverse transcription PCR results revealed that let-7b-3p was significantly overexpressed in brain tissues of the methamphetamine-user group. Let-7b-3p had significant power to discriminate methamphetamine from control samples in the ventral tegmental area (AUC; 0.922) and nucleus accumbens (AUC; 0.899) regions. We have shown for the first time in the literature the differential expression of let-7b-3p in samples from methamphetamine-addicted individuals. We suggest that let-7b-3p could be a powerful marker for the diagnosis of methamphetamine addiction. Our results showed that differentially expressed let-7b-3p in methamphetamine users could be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker.

In the last 5 years, the diagnosis of Gaming Addiction has increased by 50 percent!

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the issue of gaming addiction.

Application of Proteomics in Diagnosis of Kratom Addiction

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal plant grown wildly in Southeast Asian. It has been used traditionally for its analgesic and relaxing effects after hard day of labors. The main alkaloid of kratom, mitragynine binds to opioid receptors to give opioid-like effects, therefore it has been widely utilized as opiate substitute.

Sexual disorders in the men treated in a psychiatric ward.

An attempt to assess the impact of dual diagnosis - mental illness and addiction on the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions, and evaluation of problems with sexual functioning in men treated in a psychiatric ward. 140 psychiatrically hospitalized men (mean age 40.4 ± 12.7 years) with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction and double diagnosis (schizophrenia and addiction) took part in the study. The Sexological Questionnaire, developed by Professor Andrzej Kokoszka, and the International Index of Erectile Function IIEF-5 were used in the study. The occurrence of sexual dysfunctions in the study group was reported in 83.6% of patients. The most common was reduction in sexual needs (53.6%) and orgasm delay (40%). Depending on the research tool used, erectile dysfunction appeared in 38.6% of respondents (according to Kokoszka's Questionnaire) and 61.4% of patients (IIEF-5). Severe erectile dysfunction was more common in the group of patients without a partner (12.4% vs. 0; p = 0.000) compared to people in relationships and in the group with anxiety disorders (p = 0.028) compared to groups with other mental disorders. In the group of people with dual diagnosis (DD), sexual dysfunctions were observed more frequently in comparison to patients with schizophrenia (p = 0.034). Treatment lasting over 5 years was more often associated with sexual dysfunctions (p = 0.007). In the DD group, lack of orgasm and excessive sexual needs were more frequent in comparison to people with one diagnosis (p = 0.0145; p = 0.035). Sexual dysfunctions are more common in patients with DD in comparison to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lack of a partner and the duration of psychiatric treatment over 5 years is associated with more frequent occurrence of sexual dysfunctions.

Facebook addiction user risk profiles among college students: Identification of subclasses of addictive behaviors characterized by demographics and covariates using latent profile analysis

Previous studies and theoretical assumptions suggest a heterogeneity among users at risk of Facebook addiction, similar to other behavioral addictions. These studies, which took a variable-centered approach showed varied relationships between psychological factors, personality traits and motives with addiction indicators. This study aimed to take a person-centered approach that focused on investigating profiles of Facebook addiction indicators and the associated level and importance of Griffiths’ six core components of addiction as measured by the Bergen Facebook addiction scale. Further, the predictive power associated with loneliness, self-esteem, the Big Five personality traits and gratifications sought related to the identification of Facebook addiction risk level were also assessed. Data were collected from 611 college students using a self-administered online questionnaire. The data were analyzed using latent profile analysis (LPA), ANOVAs, pairwise comparisons and decision trees. The LPA identified three latent classes of Facebook behavior, namely ‘high-risk’, ‘low risk’ and ‘no risk’. The prevalence of ‘high-risk’ users was 8.5%, which was predominantly females (88%). All six of the core components of addiction were found to contribute to classification of users within the three classes. Additionally, sex, age, agreeableness, loneliness and all five forms of gratification sought had a significant positive relation to Facebook addiction. While self-esteem had a significant negative relationship with Facebook addiction. Further, according to the decision tree analyses and pairwise comparisons of the classes the criteria of tolerance and mood modification, and the covariates of loneliness and self-esteem showed the highest predictive powers. The study concluded that tolerance and mood modification are the most relevant criteria in the diagnosis of Facebook addiction. Further, emotional support and escapism are likely critical underlying factors in conversion to Facebook addiction.