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The present study sought to examine whether drinking motives (i.e., coping, social, conformity, and enhancement) moderated the relationship between physical, sexual, and psychological dating violence victimization and alcohol-related problems in a sample of drinking college women (N = 177). Results demonstrated that coping and social drinking motives moderated the relationship between sexual victimization and alcohol problems; conformity, social, and enhancement drinking motives moderated the relationship between alcohol-related problems and physical victimization; no significant findings were evident for psychological aggression victimization. Our results partially support the self-medication model of alcohol use, and this may be particularly relevant to sexual victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly one-third of individuals in treatment for substance use disorders endorse at-risk levels of compulsive sexual behaviours (CSBs). Untreated sexual compulsivity may facilitate relapse for treatment-seeking men. Previous research and theory suggest that CSBs are maintained by efforts to escape or alter negative affect (e.g., depression and anxiety). However, this hypothesis has not been examined within a sample of men in treatment for substance use disorders. In an effort to better understand CSBs within a population of men with substance use disorders, the present study is the first to examine experiential avoidance as one potential mechanism underlying the relation between men's symptoms of depression and anxiety and their use of CSBs. The present study reviewed medical records of 150 men in residential treatment for substance use disorders. Structural equation modelling was used to examine pathways from men's depression and anxiety symptoms to CSBs directly and indirectly through experiential avoidance while controlling for alcohol/drug problems and use. Results revealed significant indirect effects of both depression and anxiety symptoms on CSB through experiential avoidance. These results support and extend existing research on CSB in a treatment population. Findings suggest that intervention efforts for CSB may benefit by targeting men's avoidance of painful internal events. Key Practitioner Message Compulsive sexual behaviour is related to symptoms of depression and anxiety amongst men in residential treatment for substance use disorders., Experiential avoidance is positively related to compulsive sexual behaviour amongst men with substance use disorders., For men in treatment for substance use disorders, the relation between symptoms of depression and anxiety and compulsive sexual behaviour is explained, in part, by experiential avoidance., Helping men with substance use disorders develop more adaptive methods of processing aversive experiences, as opposed to escaping them, may reduce their use of compulsive sexual behaviours when faced with aversive affect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comorbidity between eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs) is of particular concern given the high rates of mortality, relapse and poor treatment outcomes associated with both disorders. As a result, there has been a growing impetus within the field to elucidate factors that might influence and aid treatment for this comorbidity. One such factor is dispositional mindfulness, as past literature has demonstrated a significant relationship between mindfulness and both EDs and SUDs. However, we are unaware of any research that has examined the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and ED symptoms in a sample of men in residential treatment for SUDs. Medical records from 152 men were included in the current study. Alcohol and drug use and problems, ED symptoms and dispositional mindfulness were assessed with self-report measures. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that dispositional mindfulness was inversely related to ED symptoms after controlling for alcohol use, drug use and age. Although results are preliminary and continued research in this area is needed, our findings suggest that there may be potential usefulness in targeting and enhancing mindfulness among patients in residential treatment for SUDs with cooccurring psychiatric symptoms (e.g., EDs). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is a growing impetus within the field of aggression research to further elucidate the risk factors, predictors, and correlates of dating violence (DV), particularly among dating couples. Of particular importance is understanding the proximal motivations, or reasons, for DV and whether these motivations differ for men and women. Research examining the motivations for DV has focused almost entirely on physical violence, and findings regarding gender differences in DV motivations have been mixed (Langhinrichsen-Rohling, McCullars, & Misra, 2012). To our knowledge, limited research has examined the motivations for psychological aggression among dating college students, and no research has directly compared men and women's motivations for psychological aggression. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the motivations for psychological aggression among dating college students (N = 216), and whether these motivations differed by gender. Results demonstrated that expression of negative emotions, jealousy, and communication difficulties were the most frequently endorsed motive categories for both men and women. Men and women did not differ on any motive category. Despite the preliminary nature of this study, several research and clinical implications are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have examined early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and their relationship to psychological disorders, including eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs). However, to date, there are no empirical investigations that have examined the relationship between EMS and EDs among individuals seeking treatment for substance use. In an attempt to further elucidate this relationship, the purpose of the current, exploratory study was to examine the relationship between EMS, ED symptomatology (i.e. bulimia and binge-eating but not anorexia) and substance use and to directly compare EMS among individuals with and without a probable ED diagnosis. Participants were 387 men and 132 women seeking residential treatment for substance use. Results demonstrated that 11 of the 18 EMS were significantly associated with ED. Moreover, patients with a probable ED scored significantly higher than patients without a probable ED on 8 of the 18 EMS. Results suggest that EMS are prevalent among individuals with ED pathology seeking treatment for substance use. Thus, treatment programs could potentially benefit from the assessment and treatment of EMS among dually diagnosed patients. Given the exploratory and preliminary nature of the study, continued research is needed to further examine the relationship between EMS, EDs and substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness has received an abundance of research attention in recent years, largely due to mindfulness-based interventions demonstrating positive mental and physical health outcomes. However, less research has examined individual’s trait levels of mindfulness and how it is related to mental health, particularly among individuals seeking substance use treatment. Therefore, in the current study, we examined the relation between trait mindfulness and early maladaptive schemas (EMS), which are dysfunctional cognitive and behavioural patterns that theoretically underlie the development of mental health problems, among women seeking residential substance use treatment. Pre-existing, adult female, patient records from a residential substance abuse treatment facility were reviewed (N = 67). Results demonstrated that higher trait mindfulness was negatively associated with 12 of the 18 EMS. Moreover, patients who endorsed multiple EMS reported lower trait mindfulness than patients who endorsed zero (or one) EMS. These findings are the first to examine the relation between trait mindfulness and EMS among women seeking substance use treatment. Findings suggest that EMS and trait mindfulness are robustly related and future research should examine whether mindfulness-based interventions reduce EMS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Individuals with substance use disorders are more likely to have antisocial and borderline personality disorder than non-substance abusers. Recently, research has examined the relations between early maladaptive schemas and personality disorders, as early maladaptive schemas are believed to underlie personality disorders. However, there is a dearth of research on the relations between early maladaptive schemas and personality disorders among individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse. The current study examined the relations among early maladaptive schemas and antisocial and borderline personality within in a sample of men seeking substance abuse treatment ( n = 98). Results demonstrated that early maladaptive schema domains were associated with antisocial and borderline personality symptoms. Implications of these findings for substance use treatment and research are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Antisocial (ASPD) and Borderline (BPD) personality disorder symptoms are prevalence among individuals seeking substance abuse treatment., Early maladaptive schemas are believed to underlie the development of ASPD and BPD symptoms, and are also prevalence among individuals seeking substance use treatment., Findings from the current study suggest that specific early maladaptive schema domains predict ASPD and BPD symptoms in a substance abuse treatment seeking sample of adult males., The treatment of ASPD and BPD among men seeking substance use treatment may want to focus on early maladaptive schemas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has begun to examine the early maladaptive schemas of substance abusers, as it is believed that targeting these core beliefs in treatment may result in improved substance use outcomes. One special population that has received scant attention in the research literature, despite high levels of substance use, is airline pilots. The current study examined the early maladaptive schemas of a sample of airline pilots (n= 64) who were seeking residential treatment for alcohol dependence and whether they differed in early maladaptive schemas from non-pilot substance abusers who were also seeking residential treatment for alcohol dependence (n= 45). Pre-existing medical records from patients of a residential substance abuse treatment facility were reviewed for the current study. Of the 18 early maladaptive schemas, results demonstrated that pilots scored higher than non-pilots on the early maladaptive schema of unrelenting standards (high internalized standards of behavior), whereas non-pilots scored higher on insufficient self-control (low frustration tolerance and self-control). Early maladaptive schemas may be a relevant treatment target for substance abuse treatment seeking pilots and non-pilots. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Early maladaptive schemas, defined as cognitive and behavioural patterns of viewing oneself and the world that cause considerable distress, are increasingly being recognized as an important underlying correlate of mental health problems. Recent research has begun to examine early maladaptive schemas among individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse. Unfortunately, there is limited research on whether substance abusers score higher on early maladaptive schemas than non-clinical controls. Thus, the current study examined whether a sample of young adult female substance abuse treatment seekers ( n = 180) scored higher than a non-clinical group of female college students ( n = 284) on early maladaptive schemas. Results demonstrated that the substance abuse group scored higher than the non-clinical group on 16 of the 18 early maladaptive schemas. In addition, a number of differences in early maladaptive schemas were large in effect size. Implications of these findings for future research and substance abuse treatment programmes are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Young adult female substance users have a number of early maladaptive schemas that may be contributing to the onset and maintenance of substance use., Findings from the current study suggest that early maladaptive schemas are more prevalent among young adult female substance abusers than a non-clinical control group, even after controlling for demographic differences between groups., The treatment of substance abuse among young adults should consider targeting early maladaptive schemas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abuse of opioids is a serious and prevalent problem and research is needed on factors that may place individuals at risk for misusing opioids. Depression is a common co-morbid mental health problem among opioid users. Theory and research suggest that early maladaptive schemas may underlie mental health problems including depression and substance abuse. The current study sought to determine whether early maladaptive schemas were associated with depression among a treatment seeking sample of male and female opioid users ( n = 194). We also examined whether depression, as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition, varied by gender and whether gender differences in depression remained after controlling for early maladaptive schemas. Results showed that women scored significantly higher than men on three of the five early maladaptive schema domains and that gender did not predict depression after controlling for schema domains. Early maladaptive schemas were also more strongly associated with depression for men than women. Implications of these findings for interventions and future research are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practicioner Message Individuals with opioid dependence have a number of early maladaptive schemas that may be contributing to the onset and maintenance of substance use., Although there are generally broad gender differences in major depression, findings from the current study suggest that early maladaptive schemas are a better predictor of depressive symptoms than gender among opioid dependent adults., The treatment of opioid dependence, with or without co-morbid depressive symptoms, should target early maladaptive schemas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood abuse and dating violence victimization are prevalent and devastating problems. Although there has been an abundance of research on these topics in recent years, researchers and institutional review boards often struggle with determining whether asking respondents questions on previous violence will result in increased emotional distress or other negative research outcomes. Empirical data are therefore needed that examine the research reactions of individuals who participate in research on childhood abuse and dating violence. This study examined this topic among a sample of male college students (N = 193). Results showed that victims of childhood sexual abuse had more negative emotional reactions and victims of physical dating violence had more negative perceived drawbacks to research participation than nonvictims. However, victims and nonvictims did not differ on positive research reactions. These findings suggest that there are few differences between victims and nonvictims on research reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perpetration of aggression in dating relationships is a prevalent problem among college students. Research that examines factors related to perpetrating dating violence is needed, as this could help guide prevention programming. This study examined how emotion regulation is related to dating violence perpetration among male and female college students (N = 440). Findings showed that the association between broad difficulties with emotion regulation, as well as more specific emotion regulation problems, were associated with dating violence perpetration and could differentiate individuals who had perpetrated and not perpetrated aggression. These findings varied slightly depending on the gender of the perpetrator and the type of aggression examined. Implications of these findings for prevention programs and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]