Memory associations between negative emotions and alcohol on the lexical decision task predict alcohol use in women

The Effects of Problematic Internet Use and Emotional Connotation on Internet Slang Processing: Evidence from a Lexical Decision Task

Young people use slang for identifying themselves with a particular social group, gaining social recognition and respect from that group, and expressing their emotional state. One feature of Internet slang is its active use by youth in online communication, which, under certain conditions, may cause problematic Internet use (PIU). We conducted two studies in young Russian speakers (n1 = 115, n2 = 106). In study 1, participants were asked to rate a set of slang and common words using Self-Assessment Manikin. The study revealed that the most reliable predictor of higher emotional ratings was word familiarity. There were no significant effects of slang vs. common words or word frequency. In study 2, we used a dual lexical decision task to reveal the effects of word characteristics and propensity for PIU on reaction time (RT) for Internet slang words in pairs with semantically related vs. unrelated common words. Study 2 did not reveal any significant semantic priming effect. Word frequency was a significant predictor of lexical decision facilitation. Common, but not slang, word valence and dominance significantly affected RT in the opposite direction. Individuals with higher cognitive preoccupation with the Internet responded significantly faster, while those more likely to use online communication for mood regulation responded significantly slower to the stimuli. Apparently, on explicit and implicit levels, in-depth knowledge of Internet slang can be one the PIU markers. The results are discussed in line with Davis' approach to determining the general pathological Internet use.

A feasibility and acceptability study of cognitive behavioural treatment for insomnia in adolescents with traumatic brain injury: A-B with follow up design, randomized baseline, and replication across participants

Difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep (symptoms of insomnia) are common following paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Yet, interventions to treat insomnia in this population have not yet been reported. This single-case series examined the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBT-I) for adolescents (n = 5, aged 11-13 years) with TBI, and explored changes in sleep and fatigue post-treatment. Adolescents were randomly assigned to two conditions: a 7- or 14-days baseline, followed by 4 weeks of manualised CBT-I delivered individually. To assess feasibility and acceptability we compared recruitment and retention rates, and questionnaire scores to a-priori set criteria. We explored treatment efficacy and functional gains in sleep and fatigue from baseline to follow-up using structured visual analysis of time-series graphs, and reliable change indices or changes in clinical classification. Feasibility and acceptability indicators met a-priori criteria, but therapists noticed limited adolescent engagement in sessions. Clinically significant improvements were found in sleep, in 3 out of 4 cases, and fatigue, in all cases. Our study provides preliminary evidence that CBT-I is feasible for insomnia treatment in adolescents with TBI and provides directions for development of future treatment studies.

Effects of Evaluative Context in Implicit Cognitions Associated with Alcohol and Violent Behaviors

Introduction

A large body of literature has substantiated the relationship between alcohol use and violent behaviors, but little consideration has been given to implicit interactions between the two. This study examines the implicit attitudes associated with alcoholic drinks and violent behaviors, and their relationship to explicit reports of problematic behaviors associated with alcohol use.

Methods

The Go/No-Go Association Task (GNAT; Nosek & Banaji, 2001) was used to test the effect of distracters (noise) on implicit cognitions associated with alcoholic drinks and violent behaviors. Data was collected from 148 students enrolled in a Midwestern university.

Results

Irrespective of contextual distractions, participants consistently exhibited negative implicit cognitions associated with violent behaviors. However, context impacted the valence of cognitions associated with alcoholic beverages. Implicit cognitions associated with alcoholic beverages were negative when nonalcoholic beverages were used as distracters, but were positive when licit and illicit drugs were used as distracters. Implicit cognitions associated with alcoholic drinks were correlated with implicit cognitions associated with violent behaviors and explicit measures of problem drinking, problem drug-related behaviors, and measures of craving, to name a few.

Conclusion

Evaluative context can have an effect on the expressed appraisal of implicit attitudes. Implications, limitations, and future directions for using the GNAT in addictions research are discussed.

•

Implicit cognitions associated with violent behaviors were always negative.

•

Implicit cognitions of alcohol were negative when drinks were used as distracters.

•

Implicit cognitions of alcohol were positive when drugs were used as distracters.

•

Evaluative context had an effect on the expressed appraisal of implicit attitudes.

If I Cry, Do You Care?

Crying is a powerful solicitation of caregiving, yet little is known about the cognitive processes underpinning caring responses to crying others. This study examined (1) whether crying (compared to sad and happy) faces differentially elicited semantic activation of caregiving, and (2) whether individual differences in cognitive and emotional empathy moderated this activation. Ninety participants completed a lexical decision task in which caregiving, neutral, and nonwords were presented after subliminal exposure (24 ms) to crying, sad, and happy faces. Individuals low in cognitive empathy had slower reaction times to caregiving (vs. neutral) words after exposure to crying faces, but not after sad or happy faces. Results are discussed with respect to the role of empathy in response to crying others.