Smoking Mostly Alone as a Risk Factor for Cannabis Use Disorders and Depressive Symptoms

The empirically grounded etiological models of cannabis use already include a vast range of psychological factors (within an individual), paving the ground for individualized prevention and intervention programs. However, the interpersonal (among individuals) and relational variables influencing the emergence of excessive cannabis use are less understood. Particularly, the impact of consumption context (i.e., smoking alone or with others) on cannabis use intensity in youth remains to be clarified. We evaluated how smoking mostly alone modulates cannabis use disorders (CUD) and depressive symptoms in college students. A sample of 854 individuals from France (568 women, 286 men) who used cannabis in the last 6 months completed self-report questionnaires evaluating cannabis consumption, CUD symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Mostly alone users presented higher current use frequency as well as increased CUD and depressive symptoms compared to mostly social users. Smoking mostly alone remained positively correlated with CUD and depressive symptoms, even when controlling for current use frequency. The association between smoking mostly alone and depressive symptoms was significant before adjustment for symptoms of CUD. The loss of significance of this association after control reflected the mediating effects of symptoms of CUD on the relationship between smoking mostly alone and depressive symptoms. These results suggest that smoking mostly alone constitutes a risk factor for uncontrolled cannabis use and promote the relationship between cannabis use and depressive disorders, potentially through loneliness and social isolation. Longitudinal studies are required to identify the causal mechanisms underlying the links between smoking mostly alone, cannabis use and psychopathological disorders.

Borderline and schizotypal traits in college students: Relationship and personality profiles

The relationships between borderline and schizotypal traits are still debated. Borderline traits, schizotypal traits, and several psychopathological symptoms were assessed among 2,341 college students. A factor analysis was performed on borderline and schizotypal personality measures, leading to 10 factors. Borderline factors were largely intercorrelated, as were schizotypal factors. Moreover, borderline factors were weakly to largely correlated to schizotypal factors. Five factors were very strongly correlated (r > .50). Dissociation was strongly related to Odd Beliefs/Unusual Perceptive Experiences and Anxious-Depressive factors. Social Anxiety was strongly related to Suspiciousness. Based on these 10 factors, a cluster analysis was conducted, and resulted in four clearly distinct groups: a Low Traits cluster, a Narcissistic cluster, a Social Anxiety cluster, and a High Traits cluster. This High Traits cluster had the lowest levels of academic achievement and the highest levels of internalizing behaviors and externalizing behaviors. The clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Does sex influence the network structure of psychopathy?

Sex-specific manifestations of psychopathy remain highly debated both at the dimensional and structural levels. The network theory provides a promising framework for investigating this question. Thus, our study aimed to explore the network structure of psychopathy across sex. Participants were 1,990 college students (male: 43%, female: 57%) who received the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment-Short Form. We first estimated a Gaussian Graphical Model including the 18 Elemental Psychopathy Assessment-Short Form facets, separately for men and women. We then computed centrality indices (i.e., strength and expected influence) and predictability and finally conducted a bootstrapping procedure to assess the accuracy of edge weights and the stability of the centrality indices. The results of the network comparison test provide support for the stability of the network structure of psychopathic traits across sex. Self-Centeredness was the most central trait in the two networks, followed by Unconcern, Rashness, and Anger for women and by Callousness, Unconcern, and Rashness for men. Minor sex differences and future directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Heterogeneity of adaptive features among psychopathy variants

Psychopathic personality traits can be conceptualized as a complex network of adaptive and maladaptive traits. Although general positive adjustment has been related to primary psychopathy and increased emotional stability, no study focused on the distribution of specific adaptive traits through psychopathy variants. Participants were 2,291 French college students who completed self-report questionnaires. A cluster analysis, based on a 4-factor model of psychopathy (Antagonism, Narcissism, Disinhibition, and Emotional Stability), was performed on a subsample with increased psychopathic traits (n = 378) and yielded 3 distinct groups: a primary psychopathy cluster, a secondary psychopathy cluster, and an emotionally stable-low antagonism cluster. The primary psychopathy cluster displayed the highest scores of Leadership, Logical Thinking, Focus, Management, and Money Smart, whereas the emotionally stable-low antagonism cluster had the highest scores of Composure and Extraversion. Conversely, the secondary psychopathy cluster exhibited reduced adaptive psychopathic traits. These results suggest that adaptive psychopathic traits are inconsistently distributed between psychopathy subtypes. Interaction effects between main factors of psychopathy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

To Better Understand the Link between Psychopathy and Antisocial Behavior: Moderation by Dispositional Mindfulness

BACKGROUND

Dispositional mindfulness deficits and psychopathic personality traits have been shown to be closely associated and independent predictors of antisocial behaviors (AB) in young adults. However, the interaction effects of these 2 factors have not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of dispositional mindfulness and psychopathic traits to ABs in a college student sample.

METHODS

Participants were 1,572 students from different French universities who completed self-report questionnaires. Regression analyses were conducted in order to test a moderation model between psychopathic traits and AB.

RESULTS

Moderation analyses revealed that dispositional mindfulness interacted with psychopathic personality traits in predicting AB. In males with high levels of dispositional mindfulness, as psychopathic traits increased, AB increased less than in males with low levels of dispositional mindfulness.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests possible implications for prevention and treatment of AB among non-clinical young adults with relatively high psychopathic traits.

Could schizotypy protect against the negative outcomes of borderline traits on alcohol consumption? A cluster analytic study

Schizotypal and borderline personality traits seem to be differently associated to alcohol use in young adult. However, no study has explored co-occurring schizotypal and borderline traits in their link with alcohol consumption. Participants were 1572 students from different French universities who completed self-report questionnaires assessing these three dimensions. A cluster analysis based on the borderline and schizotypal traits scores yielded four distinct groups characterized by low schizotypal and borderline traits (LT), high borderline traits (HB), high schizotypal and borderline traits (HT) and high schizotypal traits (HS). The HS cluster had significantly lower alcohol use than the other three groups. LT and HT clusters did not differ significantly in their alcohol use. Comparison between clusters suggests that schizotypal traits may be protective against the negative impact of borderline traits on alcohol consumption. In the context of a co-occurrence between borderline and schizotypal traits, this study provides important information about their link with alcohol consumption.