Executive functions and addictions: a Structural Equation Modeling Approach and the Italian validation of the Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI).

INTRODUCTION: the work aims to observe the associations between psychoactive substance use and gambling and executive functioning as well as to validate the Italian version of the "Adult Executive Functioning Inventory" (ADEXI) scale. METHODS: data were collected through a representative cross-sectional study among 5,160 people (18-84 years old) called IPSAD® (Italian Population Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed to explore the associations between ADEXI and other behaviors measured with standardized questionnaires. Cronbach α has been performed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the ADEXI scale. RESULTS: SEM showed that both WM and INH were correlated with problematic cannabis use (WM r = 0.112; INH r = 0.251) and gambling (WM r = 0.101; INH r = 0.168), while problematic alcohol use was correlated only with INH (r = 0.233). Cronbach α for the WM subscale was 0.833 (CI 0.826-0.840), while for INH was 0.694 (CI 0.680-0.708). CONCLUSION: results pointed out a strong correlation between addictions (substance-related and non-substance-related) and WM and INH impairments among the adult general population. Moreover, the ADEXI scale could be considered a valuable tool for general population surveys to detect working memory and inhibition characteristics.

Non-prescribed pharmaceutical stimulants use among adolescents: A way to self-care or peer success?

BACKGROUND: the use of pharmaceutical stimulants without a medical prescription (PSWMP) among adolescents is considered an established public health issue. The present study aimed to investigate the potential links between different patterns of non-medical use of pharmaceutical stimulants, psycho-social factors, and other risky behaviours (e.g. psychoactive substance use). METHODS: For this purpose, data from a sample of 14,685 adolescents aged 15-19 participating in the ESPAD®Italia 2019 study were analysed by conducting descriptive analyses and multinomial logistic regressions. RESULTS: The findings highlight the key role of psycho-social factors and engagement in other risky behaviours in either reducing or promoting the risk of PSWMP use. Particularly, being satisfied with peer relationships and with oneself is significantly associated with lower use of PSWMP. Conversely, the consumption of other psychoactive substances (both legal and illegal) and engagement in other risky behaviours (e.g., gambling and cyberbullying) may increase this phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Considering their representativeness, the results of the present study could be used as groundwork for the development of effective and targeted prevention programs and interventions.

Adolescents' Psychoactive Substance Use During the First COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross Sectional Study in Italy.

Background: Italy was one of the first European countries to be affected by Covid-19. Due to the severity of the pandemic, the Italian government imposed a nationwide lockdown which had a great impact on the population, especially adolescents. Distance-learning, moving restrictions and pandemic-related concerns, resulted in a particularly stressful situation. Objective: This cross-sectional study aims to analyse substance consumption and its associated factors during the Covid-19 lockdown imposed by the Italian government. Methods: ESPAD is a questionnaire that is administered yearly in Italian high schools. In 2020, it was administered online during dedicated hours of distance learning, collecting data from 6027 Italian students (52.4% were male) aged 15-19. Data collected from the 2020 questionnaire was matched with that collected in 2019, in order to make them comparable. Results: The prevalence of consumption of each substance decreased during the restriction period, and the most used substance during the lockdown period was alcohol (43.1%). There were some changes in factors associated with psychoactive substance use, especially painkillers and non-prescription drugs. For instance, unlike what was observed in the 2019 model, in 2020 spending money without parental control was associated with painkillers and non-prescription drug use while risk perception was not. Conclusions: The restrictions and the increased difficulties in obtaining psychoactive substances did not prevent their consumption, and students with particular risk factors continued to use them, possibly changing the substance type of substance. This information is useful in order to better understand adolescents' substance use during the ongoing pandemic.

Trends in energy drink and combined alcohol and energy drinks consumption among Italian high school students, 2008-2019.

BACKGROUND: Energy Drinks (ED) are caffeinated beverages marketed as attention and endurance enhancers. The main purpose of this study is to provide national estimates of the prevalence of alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) and ED use among school-aged adolescents. A secondary objective is to examine the differences in the prevalence of AmED and ED consumption by gender. METHODS: For this study, we used data from twelve consecutive years, from ESPAD-Italia®2008 to ESPAD-Italia®2019. RESULTS: From 2008-2019, the prevalence of lifetime consumption of energy drinks increased significantly for male (64.5-75.7%, p < 0.001) and female (46.8-61.8%, p < 0.001). We also observed an increase in both genders for last year prevalence (male: 51.6-63.4%, p < 0.001; female: 32.5-38.3%, p < 0.001), instead prevalence in last month showed an increase only in males (males: 37.5-45.4%, p = <0.001; females: 19.9-20.3%, p = 0.426). Finally, frequent use showed a fluctuating trend, particularly in females (males: 3.2-4.3%, p = 0.422; females: 0.8-0.8%, p = 0.643). From 2013-2019, the prevalence of AmED consumption did not show relevant changes among adolescents. A clear gender gap is evident for both ED and AmED usage prevalence, in all the years considered for lifetime, last year, last month and frequent use. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the prevalence of ED consumption among Italian high school students is very high and has grown substantially over the past 12 years. Differently the prevalence of AmED use, although widespread, did not increase overall since 2013.