Psychometric Validation of the Gambling Craving Scale in a Treatment-Seeking Sample.

The Gambling Craving Scale (GACS) is a multifaceted measure of gambling craving. Initial validation work by Young and Wohl (2009) in university student samples showed that the GACS had a three-factor structure capturing dimensions of Desire, Anticipation, and Relief. Despite its potential clinical utility as a measure of craving, the GACS has yet to be validated in people seeking treatment for gambling problems. Accordingly, we examined the psychometric properties in a sample of people (N = 209; Mage = 37.66; 62.2% female) participating in a randomized controlled trial testing a novel online treatment for problem gambling. We predicted the GACS would have a three-factor structure. In addition, we also examined measurement invariance across sex and problem gambling risk status. Finally, we assessed concurrent validity of the factors with other measures of problem gambling severity and involvement. Exploratory structural equation modeling findings supported a three-factor structure that was invariant across the groups tested. Each of the Desire, Anticipation, and Relief subscales were significant positive predictors of problem gambling severity and symptoms, and some form of gambling behaviour. Findings show the GACS is a promising scale to assess multidimensional craving experiences among people in treatment for gambling problems.

[Advanced heart failure : what are the prospects for patients ?] / L'insuffisance cardiaque avancée : quelles perspectives pour le patient ?

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem in our country and in most developed countries. Despite advances in the diagnosis and management of this condition and numerous therapeutic innovations, many patients with chronic HF progress inexorably to advanced HF, characterized by persistent symptoms despite maximal treatment. The prognosis for this condition is poor. However, mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation, when considered in suitable candidates, are likely to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of these patients. In this context, timely referral to referral centers for the management of advanced HF is crucial. This article reminds the definition of advanced HF, details its specific management and specifies the criteria and timing for appropriate referral.

L'insuffisance cardiaque (IC) est un problème de santé publique majeur au sein de notre pays et dans la plupart des pays développés. Malgré les progrès réalisés dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge de cette pathologie ainsi que les nombreuses innovations thérapeutiques, beaucoup de patients atteints d'IC progressent inexorablement vers une IC avancée, caractérisée par la persistance de symptômes en dépit d'un traitement maximal. Le pronostic de cette condition est sombre. Cependant, les assistances mécaniques circulatoires et la transplantation cardiaque, lorsqu'elles sont envisagées chez de bons candidats, sont susceptibles d'améliorer la qualité de vie et l'espérance de vie de ces patients. Dans cette optique, le référencement selon un timing adéquat vers des centres de référence de prise en charge de l'IC avancée est crucial. Cet article revient sur la définition de l'IC avancée, détaille sa prise en charge spécifique et précise les critères et le timing pour un référencement adéquat.

Knowledge of Cannabinoid Content Among People Living with HIV Who Use Cannabis: a Daily Diary Study.

BACKGROUND: Many people living with HIV (PLWH) use cannabis for medicinal reasons. Patients' knowledge of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations of the cannabis products they use may be important in helping patients achieve symptom relief while guarding against potential risks of cannabis use. However, no studies have examined cannabinoid concentration knowledge among PLWH. METHOD: PLWH (N = 29; 76% men, mean age 47 years) reporting cannabis use for both medicinal and nonmedicinal reasons completed daily surveys over 14 days assessing cannabis products used, knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations of cannabis products used, cannabis use motives (medicinal, nonmedicinal, both), and positive and negative cannabis-related consequences. Across the 361 cannabis use days captured on the daily surveys, at least some knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations was reported on an average of 43.1% (for THC) and 26.6% (for CBD) of the days. RESULTS: Generalized linear mixed models revealed that participants were more likely to report knowing THC and CBD concentrations on days when they used non-flower forms of cannabis relative to days when they used cannabis flower only. Participants who used cannabis for medicinal reasons on a greater proportion of days had greater knowledge of cannabinoid concentration overall across days. Further, greater overall knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations was associated with fewer reported negative cannabis-related consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that among PLWH, knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations may be higher when using non-flower cannabis products and among those reporting primarily medicinal cannabis use. Moreover, knowledge of cannabinoid concentration may protect against negative cannabis-related consequences in this population.

A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Studies of Gambling-Related Attentional Biases.

Previous research has identified attentional biases towards addiction-related stimuli, including gambling-related stimuli. Eye-tracking is considered the gold standard methodology for measuring attentional biases, yet no review to date has examined its use in measuring gambling-related attentional biases. This systematic review synthesized the literature using eye-tracking to examine attentional biases among people who gamble. We reviewed articles from Web of Science and PubMed that were published from 1990 to 2021. A total of 11 articles were included, with sample sizes ranging from 38 to 173 participants. Of these studies, seven examined attentional biases for gambling-related visual stimuli. These seven studies provided support that gambling can result in the development of an attentional bias for gambling-related stimuli. With respect to correlates of gambling-related attentional biases, there were mixed results. Some studies identified significant positive associations between gambling-related attentional biases and psychosocial variables, such as problem gambling severity, gambling expectancies, gambling cravings, gambling motives, depressive symptom severity, alcohol use severity, daily stress, affective impulsivity, and immersion. Four studies examined attentional biases for responsible gambling messaging and advertisements, finding that both people who do and do not gamble attend less to responsible gambling messaging compared to other types of information such as the betting odds. Research using eye-tracking to examine attentional biases among people who gamble is in its infancy. Yet, the preliminary results support the identification of attentional biases using the gold-standard methodology. Further studies are needed to examine the correlates and potential clinical utility of assessing gambling-related attentional biases using eye-tracking.

Self-Generated Motives of Social Casino Gamers.

Social casino games have achieved widespread popularity, and are accessed by more than 85 million people each day. Yet, why people play social casino games is largely unknown. To address this gap, an inductive approach was taken to better understand the motives for playing social casino games, as well as the motives for transitioning from social casino gaming to gambling and vice versa. To this end, 269 social casino gamers were asked to provide a ranked list of their motives for playing social casino games. Additionally, we asked participants their motivations for transitioning from gambling to social casino gaming (n = 202) or vice versa (n = 67). A total of 795, 605, and 201 unique responses describing motives for playing social casino games, transitioning from social casino gaming to gambling, and transitioning from gambling to social casino gaming, respectively, were analyzed using a thematic content analysis. The most frequently endorsed motive for playing social casino games was for enhancement (e.g., fun, challenge). Participants also noted playing to earn rewards, including money, and for social reasons. Several motives linked social casino game play to gambling. These included: to hone gambling-related 'skills', a desire to transition to gambling to win real money, and as a gambling harm-reduction strategy. Motives for playing social casino games did not differ significantly between those who first gambled and then transitioned to social casino gaming and vice versa, suggesting that once people begin playing social casino games, they have similar motives for continued engagement. The present study contributes to understanding the immense popularity of social casino games and their links to gambling.

[European recommendations concerning the management of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction]. / Recommandations européennes concernant la prise en charge de l'insuffisance cardiaque chronique à fraction d'éjection réduite.

Heart failure remains, despite increasing therapeutic advances, a major burden in terms of public health. It is associated with a significant mortality and dramatically impacts the daily life of these patients with, among other things, repeated and prolonged hospitalizations. This article aims to focus on the therapeutic modalities for the management of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. A significant change is taking place in pharmacological treatment following the discovery of new drug classes.

L'insuffisance cardiaque (IC) demeure, malgré des avancées thérapeutiques croissantes, un fardeau majeur en termes de santé publique (1). Elle est grevée d'une importante mortalité et impacte de manière significative le quotidien de ces patients avec, entre autres, des hospitalisations répétées et prolongées (hIC). Cet article vise à mettre l'accent sur les modalités thérapeutiques de prise en charge du patient présentant une IC à fraction d'éjection réduite (HFrEF) recommandées par la Société Européenne de Cardiologie. Un changement important s'opère au niveau du traitement pharmacologique suite à la découverte de nouvelles classes médicamenteuses.

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study.

Objectives: This study examined children's perspectives about returning to in-person school following lockdown due to the pandemic and about mask-wearing in class, as well as the mental health of children and parents during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was part of a 2-day school simulation exercise that randomized students to different masking recommendations. Parent-report of mental health and post-simulation child-report of COVID-19-related anxiety and mask-wearing were analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression analyses. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with older students to supplement questionnaire data. Results: Of 190 students in this study, 31% were in grade 4 or lower 95% looked forward to returning to in-person school. Greater child anxiety about COVID-19 was predicted by increased parent/caregiver anxiety (ß=0.67; P<0.001), and lower parental educational attainment (ß=1.86; P<0.002). Older students were more likely than younger students to report that mask-wearing interfered with their abilities to interact with peers (χ2(1)=31.16; P<0.001) and understand the teacher (χ2(1)=13.97; P<0.001). Students in the group that did not require masks were more likely than students in the masking group to report worries about contracting COVID-19 at school (χ2(1)=10.07; P<0.05), and anticipated difficulty wearing a mask (χ2(1)=18.95; P<0.001). Conclusions: For children anxious about COVID-19, parental anxiety and education about COVID-19 may be targets for intervention. Future research should examine the impact of prolonged implementation of public health mitigation strategies in school on academic achievement and children's mental health.

Prospective associations of behavioral economic demand for cannabis and alcohol with simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use among young adults.

Behavioral economic demand for cannabis and alcohol is robustly associated with cannabis use and alcohol use, respectively. However, few studies have examined the contributions of cannabis and alcohol demand to simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use, which is common among young adults. We examined prospective associations of cannabis demand and alcohol demand with propensity for simultaneous use (broadly defined as using both cannabis and alcohol in the same day) and with cannabis and alcohol consumption during simultaneous use days among young adults. Young adults reporting simultaneous use (N = 107) completed a Marijuana Purchase Task assessing cannabis demand and an Alcohol Purchase Task assessing alcohol demand. They then completed daily smartphone surveys over 21 days assessing cannabis and alcohol use. Multilevel models revealed that higher cannabis demand (i.e., higher Omax, Pmax, and intensity; lower elasticity) was uniquely associated with greater propensity for simultaneous use relative to nonuse. In addition, higher alcohol demand (lower elasticity) was uniquely associated with greater propensity for simultaneous use relative to cannabis-only use, and higher cannabis demand (higher break point and intensity, lower elasticity) was uniquely associated with greater propensity for simultaneous use relative to alcohol-only use. Furthermore, in models limited to simultaneous use days, greater cannabis demand (higher Omax, lower elasticity) and lower alcohol demand (higher elasticity) were uniquely associated with greater overall cannabis flower consumption, and higher alcohol demand (higher Omax, lower elasticity) was uniquely associated with greater overall alcohol consumption. Results suggest that individual differences in cannabis and alcohol demand may contribute to simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use behaviors in a substance-specific pattern. Furthermore, cannabis demand may more strongly drive the tendency to engage in simultaneous use (vs. nonuse) relative to alcohol demand. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Within-person and between-person associations of access to environmental reward with alcohol and cannabis use and consequences among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Recent behavioural economic models of substance use suggest that low access to environmental reward may increase risk for heavy substance use and associated harms. Most prior studies of these associations have been cross-sectional and have focused on alcohol. The current study extends this research using longitudinal data to examine the within-person and between-person associations of environmental reward access with both alcohol and cannabis outcomes. METHOD: Young adults (N = 119, 64.71 % female) completed an online survey at three time points, spaced six months apart. The survey included measures of alcohol and cannabis use and consequences, and two facets of environmental reward access: reward probability (i.e., likelihood of experiencing environmental reward) and environmental suppression (i.e., diminished availability of environmental reward). RESULTS: Multilevel models revealed that at the between-person level (i.e., averaged across time points), greater environmental suppression (but not reward probability) was significantly associated with more frequent cannabis use, and greater reward probability (but not environmental suppression) was significantly associated with heavier alcohol use. Higher environmental suppression (but not reward probability) was also associated with greater alcohol and cannabis consequences at the between-person level, over and above level of use. A significant within-person association also was observed, wherein participants reported relative increases in cannabis consequences during time periods when they also reported relative decreases in the availability of environmental reward. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight environmental suppression as a risk factor for more frequent cannabis use and for both alcohol and cannabis consequences, and provide novel support for a within-person association between environmental suppression and cannabis consequences over time. Findings may inform contextual interventions for young adult substance use.

How Much THC Is in That Joint? A Daily Diary Study of Young Adults' Knowledge of the Cannabinoid Content of Cannabis Products.

OBJECTIVE: Many young adults report frequent cannabis use and are at risk for cannabis harms. Knowledge of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations of cannabis products may promote harm reduction, but few studies have characterized cannabinoid concentration knowledge in this population. This study used day-level data to examine predictors of cannabinoid concentration knowledge and associations of cannabinoid concentration knowledge with substance-related consequences among young adults. METHOD: Participants (n = 131; mean age = 22.11 years; 64.12% female) from a larger study of cannabis and alcohol co-use completed daily surveys over 21 days assessing knowledge of the cannabinoid concentrations of cannabis used, forms of cannabis used, motives for cannabis use (medicinal, nonmedicinal, both), and substance-related consequences. RESULTS: On average, participants reported at least some knowledge of the THC and CBD concentrations of their cannabis on 48% and 32% of their cannabis use days, respectively. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that participants with a greater propensity to use nonflower (relative to flower) cannabis products and to report medicinal (relative to exclusively nonmedicinal) motives for cannabis use reported greater cannabinoid concentration knowledge overall across days, controlling for sociodemographic factors and level of cannabis involvement. Participants with greater overall cannabinoid concentration knowledge reported positive substance-related consequences more often. In addition, participants were more likely to report negative substance-related consequences on days during which cannabinoid concentrations were known versus unknown. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that cannabinoid concentration knowledge may be higher among young adults who report primarily nonflower and medicinally motivated cannabis use, although cannabinoid concentration knowledge, alone, may not protect against negative substance-related consequences at the day level.

Interactive effects of alcohol and cannabis quantities in the prediction of same-day negative consequences among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use is common, but observational studies examining negative consequences of simultaneous use have rarely considered dose-related interactions between alcohol and cannabis. This study examined interactions between quantities of cannabis and alcohol consumed in predicting negative consequences on simultaneous use days. METHODS: Young adults (N = 151; 64% female; 62% White) reporting recent simultaneous use and at least weekly alcohol and cannabis use completed 21 daily, smartphone-based surveys assessing previous day quantities of cannabis and alcohol used, types of cannabis used (flower, concentrates, edibles), and negative substance-related consequences. Multilevel models examined: (1) whether negative consequences differed within-person across simultaneous use days and single-substance use days; and (2) whether quantities of alcohol and cannabis consumed on simultaneous use days interacted, within-person, to predict negative consequences. We focused on quantities of cannabis flower (grams) in primary analyses and explored quantities of other forms of cannabis (concentrates, edibles) in supplementary analyses. RESULTS: Participants reported fewer negative consequences on alcohol-only (243 observations) and cannabis-only (713 observations) days than they did on simultaneous use days (429 observations). On simultaneous use days involving cannabis flower use (313 observations across 81 participants), the within-person association between number of standard drinks and negative consequences was weaker on days during which larger (vs. smaller) amounts of cannabis flower were consumed. Inspection of simple slopes revealed that decreased alcohol use was associated with less of a decline in negative consequences when combined with relatively greater amounts of cannabis flower. CONCLUSIONS: Although simultaneous use was associated with more negative consequences than alcohol-only and cannabis-only use, negative consequences on simultaneous use days varied as a function of the interaction between alcohol and cannabis quantities. As findings suggest that using larger amounts of cannabis may attenuate declines in negative consequences associated with lighter drinking, interventions for higher-risk simultaneous use patterns may benefit from a focus on quantities of both alcohol and cannabis.

Characterizing heterogeneity among people who use cannabis for medicinal reasons: A latent class analysis of a nationally representative Canadian sample.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals who use cannabis report doing so for medicinal reasons. Few studies have explored heterogeneity within this population, which may be important to inform targeted interventions. This study used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of people who use cannabis for medicinal reasons and their sociodemographic and cannabis-risk-related correlates. METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2019 Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey, which is a representative survey of Canadians ages 15 years and older. Data from 814 individuals reporting past-year use of cannabis for medicinal or mixed medicinal and non-medicinal reasons were included. Latent class analysis was conducted with forms of cannabis used, cannabis use frequency, concurrent non-medicinal cannabis use, and the medical conditions and symptoms cannabis was used to manage as indicators. RESULTS: Four distinct latent classes of medicinal cannabis use were identified: a non-daily cannabis flower for mental health and sleep class (39.56% of the sample), a non-daily cannabis flower for pain class (26.41% of the sample), a non-daily cannabis oil for physical health class (20.15% of the sample), and a daily multi-form cannabis for mental health and non-medical reasons class (13.88% of the sample). Sociodemographic factors and risk level for cannabis-related harms were associated with latent class membership. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study reveal considerable heterogeneity among people reporting medicinal cannabis use and suggest that the distinct patterns of cannabis use behaviors and motives observed may be important for understanding risk for cannabis-related harms in this population. Findings underscore a need for harm reduction interventions tailored toward specific patterns of medicinal cannabis use.

Dispositional and contextual correlates of in-play sports betting and related harms: A 2-week ecological momentary assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: In-play betting is a novel form of sports betting that allows players to make continuous bets during a game. The present study examined the dispositional and contextual correlates of in-play sports betting and related harms. METHOD: Participants were 84 individuals (73.81% men, Mage = 41.02) who engaged in in-play betting. Participants first completed an online questionnaire including measures of problem gambling severity, childhood trauma, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation. Participants then completed a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study involving completing brief surveys twice per day. EMA surveys assessed in-play betting behaviors, motives, contexts, and harms. RESULTS: A total of 1,365 EMA surveys were completed, of which 32.89% involved placing at least one in-play bet. A total of 77 (91.67%) participants placed at least one in-play bet during the study period. Participants reported greater in-play betting involvement (the number of bets placed, money spent) and an increased likelihood of experiencing in-play betting-related financial and relationship harms when using substances while betting and when motivated to place in-play bets by an interest in sports or to "be in the game." Participants, who used substances during a greater proportion of in-play betting occasions, who more frequently endorsed coping motives for in-play betting, and who exhibited elevated problem gambling severity, reported greater in-play betting involvement and the likelihood of experiencing in-play betting-related harms overall. CONCLUSIONS: Responsible gambling initiatives targeting contextual risk factors, such as using alcohol and cannabis while in-play betting, may help to reduce the intensity of in-play betting and its associated harms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The reliability of attentional biases for gambling-related images in free-viewing eye-tracking paradigms.

Attentional biases for gambling-related stimuli are a robust correlate of problem gambling. Free-viewing eye-tracking paradigms are considered the gold standard for measuring attentional bias in addiction research, but their reliability in measuring biases for gambling-related stimuli remains unclear. Using secondary data from two different free-viewing eye-tracking paradigms (two-image and four-image displays), this study examined the internal consistency of fixation indices in samples with varying degrees of gambling involvement and problem gambling risk. Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and split-half reliability coefficients were used to assess internal consistency of several fixation indices (total dwell time, total dwell time percent, total fixation count, time of first fixation) for gambling-related images, neutral images, and computed attentional bias difference scores. For both two- and four-image displays, internal consistency estimates for total dwell time, total dwell time percent, and total fixation count were good to excellent for gambling-related images, neutral images, and attentional bias scores. Only time of first fixation exhibited low internal consistency. These findings indicate that both two-image and four-image free-viewing eye-tracking paradigms can reliably measure attentional biases for gambling-related stimuli among participants reporting varying degrees of gambling involvement and problem gambling risk.

Daily associations between cannabis use and alcohol use among people who use cannabis for both medicinal and nonmedicinal reasons: Substitution or complementarity?

OBJECTIVE: People who use cannabis for medicinal (vs. nonmedicinal) reasons report greater cannabis use and lower alcohol use, which may reflect a cannabis-alcohol substitution effect in this population. However, it is unclear whether cannabis is used as a substitute or complement to alcohol at the day level among people who use cannabis for both medicinal and nonmedicinal reasons. This study used ecological momentary assessment to examine this question. METHOD: Participants (N = 66; 53.1% men; mean age 33 years) completed daily surveys assessing previous-day reasons for cannabis use (medicinal vs. nonmedicinal), cannabis consumption (both number of different types of cannabis used and grams of cannabis flower used), and number of standard drinks consumed. RESULTS: Multilevel models revealed that, in general, greater cannabis consumption on a given day was associated with greater same-day alcohol use. Further, days during which cannabis was used for medicinal (vs. exclusively nonmedicinal) reasons were associated with reduced consumption of both cannabis and alcohol. The day-level association between medicinal reasons for cannabis use and lower alcohol consumption was mediated by using fewer grams of cannabis on medicinal cannabis use days. CONCLUSIONS: Day-level cannabis-alcohol associations may be complementary rather than substitutive among people who use cannabis for both medicinal and nonmedicinal reasons, and lower (rather than greater) cannabis consumption on medicinal use days may explain the link between medicinal reasons for cannabis use and reduced alcohol use. Still, these individuals may use greater amounts of both cannabis and alcohol when using cannabis for exclusively nonmedicinal reasons. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A Systematic Review of Pharmacological Treatments for Internet Gaming Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an increasingly common behavioral addiction, with an estimated global prevalence of 3%. A variety of pharmacological treatments have been used to treat IGD, yet no review to date has synthesized clinical trials evaluating their efficacy. This systematic review therefore synthesized the literature reporting on clinical trials of pharmacological treatments for IGD. METHODS: We reviewed articles from MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed Central, CINAHL, and PsycINFO that were published as of March of 2022. A total of 828 articles were retrieved for review and 12 articles were included, reporting on a total of 724 participants. RESULTS: Most participants were male (98.6%), and all were currently living in South Korea. The most common drugs used to treat IGD were bupropion, methylphenidate, and a range of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The Young Internet Addiction Scale was the most frequently used to measure gaming-related outcomes. All studies reported reduced symptoms of IGD from pre- to post-treatment. Across all clinical trials, IGD symptom reductions following the administration of pharmacological treatments ranged from 15.4% to 51.4%. A risk of bias assessment indicated that only four studies had a low risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that a wide array of pharmacological interventions may be efficacious in the treatment of IGD. Future studies using double-blind randomized controlled trial designs, recruiting larger and more representative samples, and controlling for psychiatric comorbidities are needed to better inform understanding of pharmacological treatments for IGD.

Executive functions and behavioral economic demand for cannabis among young adults: Indirect associations with cannabis consumption and cannabis use disorder.

Behavioral economic demand for cannabis is robustly associated with cannabis consumption and cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, few studies have examined the processes underlying individual differences in the relative valuation of cannabis (i.e., demand). This study examined associations between executive functions and cannabis demand among young adults who use cannabis. We also examined indirect associations of executive functions with cannabis consumption and CUD symptoms through cannabis demand. Young adults (N = 113; 58.4% female; mean age 22 years) completed a Marijuana Purchase Task. Participants also completed cognitive tasks assessing executive functions (set shifting, inhibitory control, working memory) and semistructured interviews assessing past 90-day cannabis consumption (number of grams used) and number of CUD symptoms. Poorer inhibitory control was significantly associated with greater Omax (peak expenditure on cannabis) and greater intensity (cannabis consumption at zero cost). Poorer working memory was significantly associated with lower elasticity (sensitivity of consumption to escalating cost). Lower inhibitory control was indirectly associated with greater cannabis consumption and CUD symptoms through greater Omax and intensity, and poorer working memory was indirectly associated with greater cannabis consumption and CUD symptoms through reduced elasticity. This study provides novel evidence that executive functions are associated with individual differences in cannabis demand. Moreover, these results suggest that cannabis demand could be a mechanism linking poorer executive functioning with heavier cannabis use and CUD, which should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Who makes in-play bets? Investigating the demographics, psychological characteristics, and gambling-related harms of in-play sports bettors.

Background and aims: Sports betting has increased markedly in recent years, in part due to legislative changes and the introduction of novel forms of sports betting (e.g., in-play betting). Some evidence suggests that in-play betting is more harmful than other types of sports betting (i.e., traditional and single-event). However, existing research on in-play sports betting has been limited in scope. To address this gap, the present study examined the extent to which demographic, psychological, and gambling-related constructs (e.g., harms) are endorsed by in-play sports bettors relative to single-event and traditional sports bettors. Methods: Sports bettors (N = 920) aged 18+ from Ontario, Canada completed an online survey containing self-report measures of demographic, psychological, and gambling-related variables. Participants were classified as either in-play (n = 223), single-event (n = 533), or traditional bettors (n = 164) based on their sports betting engagement. Results: In-play sports bettors reported higher problem gambling severity, endorsed greater gambling-related harms across several domains, and reported greater mental health and substance use difficulties compared to single-event and traditional sports bettors. There were generally no differences between single-event and traditional sports bettors. Discussion: Results provide empirical support for the potential harms associated with in-play sports betting and inform our understanding of who may be at risk for increased harms associated with in-play betting. Conclusions: Findings may be important for the development of public health and responsible gambling initiatives to reduce the potential harms of in-play betting, particularly as many jurisdictions globally move towards legalization of sports betting.

Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Protocols on Teachers Instructing Children and Adolescents During an In-Person Simulation.

Objective: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health agencies and school boards across Canada enacted new protocols, including face masks, physical distancing and enhanced hygiene, to support the safe reopening of in-person school. This study explored the experiences and perceptions of teachers instructing children and adolescents in person during a two-day school simulation. Method: This study was part of a large school simulation exercise conducted in Toronto, Ontario. Kindergarten to grade 12 teachers taught in classrooms with either masked students, or students who were un-masked or only masked when physical distancing was not possible. A qualitative descriptive phenomenology approach was utilized, and data were collected via virtual focus groups. Qualitative data analysis involved multiple rounds of inductive coding to generate themes. Results: The sample included 14 teachers (92.9% female; 85.7% White), with a median of 9.5 years teaching experience. Three primary themes emerged: 1) learning to navigate public health measures, 2) needing to adapt teaching strategies and 3) striving to manage conflicting priorities. The majority of teachers reported that mask-wearing and physical distancing impacted their classroom teaching, communication and connection with students. Conclusions: As schools transition to in-person instruction, teachers will be required to play dual roles in education and public health, with implications on safety, teaching and professional identity. Public health agencies and school boards are encouraged to engage teachers in ongoing conversations regarding in-person school planning and operations. Furthermore, evidence-based interventions, including increased teaching development programs, are recommended to support teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectif: Conséquemment à la pandémie de la COVID-19, les organismes de santé publique et les conseils scolaires de tout le Canada ont mis en œuvre de nouveaux protocoles, notamment des masques, une distanciation physique et une hygiène accrue, afin de soutenir la réouverture prudente de l'école en personne. La présente étude a exploré les expériences et les perceptions des professeurs instruisant les enfants et les adolescents en personne durant une simulation scolaire de deux jours. Méthode: La présente étude faisait partie d'un grand exercice de simulation scolaire mené à Toronto, Ontario. Les professeurs de la maternelle à la 12e année enseignaient dans des classes où les élèves étaient soit masqués, soit non masqués, soit seulement masqués quand la distanciation physique n'était pas possible. Une approche de phénoménologie qualitative descriptive a été utilisée, et les données ont été recueillies par des groupes de discussion virtuels. L'analyse des données qualitatives impliquait de multiples rondes de codage inductif pour générer des thèmes. Résultats: L'échantillon comportait 14 professeurs (92,9 % de sexe féminin; 85,7 % Blancs), avec une moyenne de 9,5 années d'expérience d'enseignement. Trois principaux thèmes ont émergé : 1) apprendre à naviguer les mesures de santé publique, 2) la nécessité d'adapter les stratégies d'enseignement et 3) s'efforcer de gérer les priorités conflictuelles. La majorité des professeurs a déclaré que le port du masque et la distanciation physique influaient sur leur enseignement en classe, sur la communication et la connexion avec les élèves. Conclusions: Tandis que les écoles font la transition à l'enseignement en personne, les professeurs devront assumer des doubles rôles en éducation et en santé publique, impliquant la sécurité, l'enseignement et l'identité professionnelle. Les organismes de santé publique et les conseils scolaires sont invités à faire participer les professeurs à des conversations actuelles relativement à la planification et aux activités de l'école en personne. En outre, les interventions fondées sur des données probantes, notamment les programmes accrus de développement de l'enseignement, sont recommandées pour soutenir les professeurs durant la pandémie de la COVID-19.