IMPULSIVITY, mental health STATE and emotion regulation MODULATE alcohol and marijuana use in a sample of Argentinean citizens.

Impulsivity and substance-related outcomes share a complex relationship, as various facets of impulsivity exhibit distinct associations with different drug-related outcomes. This study examines the associations between frequency and quantity of alcohol and marijuana use, with impulsivity traits, psychological distress, and the utilization of emotion regulation strategies. A survey asked Argentinian citizens (n=1507, 356 men) about frequency and quantity of alcohol or marijuana use on each day of a typical week, as well as anxiety, stress and depression symptoms (DASS-21), impulsivity-like traits (UPPS-P) and emotion regulation strategies (ERQ). The two-month prevalence of alcohol or marijuana use was 80.1%, and 27.2%, respectively. Lower premeditation was significantly (p<.05) and negatively associated with both frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed, whereas negative and positive urgency were positively and significantly (p<.05) associated with quantity of alcohol or marijuana use, respectively. Greater depression symptoms predicted greater quantity of alcohol use; whereas lower emotional suppression or lower cognitive reappraisal were significantly (p<.05) associated with a greater frequency of alcohol or marihuana use. Sensation seeking was significantly (p<.05) and positively associated with frequency of marijuana use. Individuals with higher levels of impulsivity-like traits, higher levels of depression or lower use of emotional regulation abilities appeared to be at a higher risk of alcohol or marijuana use. In this sample, the use of alcohol (though not marijuana) seems to fit a negative reinforcement pathway. The study suggests that individuals with risk factors for drug misuse could benefit from interventions aimed at enhancing emotion regulation.

Utility of the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire to Identify College Students At-Risk for Alcohol Related Problems: Relative Operating Characteristics across Seven Countries.

Background: It is important to identify students who would benefit from early interventions to reduce harmful drinking patterns and associated consequences. the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (B-YAACQ) could be particularly useful as a screening tool in university settings. Objectives. The present study examined the utility of the B-YAACQ to distinguish among students at-risk for problematic alcohol use as measured by the AUDIT. Objectives: The present study examined the utility of the B-YAACQ to distinguish among students at-risk for problematic alcohol use as measured by the AUDIT. Methods: A sample of 6382 students (mean age=20.28, SD=3.75, 72.2% females) from seven countries (i.e., U.S., Canada, South-Africa, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, England) completed the B-YAACQ, the AUDIT and different measures of alcohol use. Results: ROC analyses suggested that a cutoff score of 5 maximized the YAACQ's discrimination utility to differentiate between students at low versus moderate/high risk in the total sample and across countries (except in Canada, where the cutoff was 4). In addition, a cutoff of 7 differentiated between students at low/moderate versus high risk in the total sample, while cutoffs of 10, 9, 8 and 7 differentiate between students at low/moderate versus high risk in Uruguay, U.S and Spain (10), Argentina (9), England (8), and Canada and South-Africa (7), respectively. Students classified at the three risk levels (i.e., low, moderate and high) differed in age (i.e., a younger age was associated with higher risk) and drinking patters (i.e., higher drinking frequency, quantity, binge drinking and AUDIT and B-YAACQ scores in the higher risk groups). Conclusions: This study suggest that the B-YAACQ is a useful tool to identify college students at-risk for experiencing problematic patterns of alcohol use.

Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences in Adulthood: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Distress Tolerance and Drinking to Cope.

Background: Prior research has established that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) predict harmful alcohol use outcomes. However, underlying mechanisms that could explain these associations are less clear. The present study examined if ACEs are indirectly related to alcohol negative consequences through their associations with distress tolerance and drinking to cope. Method: A sample of 3,763 (71.9% female) college students who drink alcohol from seven countries (U.S., Argentina, Canada, Uruguay, Spain, South Africa, and England) completed online surveys. Path analysis was performed within the whole sample testing the serial unique associations between ACEs→distress tolerance→drinking to cope→negative alcohol-related consequences. Multi-group analysis was performed to determine if the proposed pathways were invariant across gender and countries. Results: Both distress tolerance and drinking to cope uniquely accounted for the relationship between ACEs and negative alcohol-related consequences. Additionally, a significant double-mediation effect was found illustrating that a higher endorsement of ACEs was associated with lower distress tolerance, which in turn was associated with higher drinking to cope, which in turn was associated with more negative alcohol-related consequences. These effects were invariant across countries and gender groups. Conclusions: These findings provide support for the relevance of distress tolerance and coping motives as potential factors in linking ACEs to problematic alcohol use across nations. Our data are consistent with the idea that intervening on distress tolerance and drinking motives could mitigate downstream alcohol-related consequences related to ACEs in college student populations around the world.

Examining the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised Short Form among university students in Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: The Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (DMQ-R-SF) is widely used among alcohol researchers studying adolescents and young adults. The psychometric properties of the DMQ-R-SF have been examined among university students in many countries, but to our knowledge, not in Australia, New Zealand or Argentina. We sought to examine the reliability and endorsement of the items on the DMQ-R-SF, and test the associations between the DMQ-R-SF subscales and alcohol use, and negative alcohol consequences between university students from Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. METHOD: University students (N = 820) in Australia (n = 315), New Zealand (n = 265) and Argentina (n = 240) completed a confidential online alcohol survey which included the DMQ-R-SF, the Daily Drinking Questionnaire and the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire. RESULTS: Using the alignment method, support for the four-factor model on the DMQ-R-SF emerged and the factor loadings for 11 of the 12 items were invariant across sites. Most items (8 out of 12) on the DMQ-R-SF were fully invariant across all sites, but some small differences in item reliability for one item, and endorsement for three items emerged between the sites. Across the three countries, coping motives were positively correlated with negative alcohol consequences. Enhancement motives were positively associated with both alcohol use and negative alcohol consequences among students from Australia and New Zealand. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Most items on the DMQ-R-SF were comparably reliable among the university students sampled from Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. Our preliminary findings suggest that the DMQ-R-SF can be reliably used with university students from these countries.

Motives to play videogames across seven countries: Measurement invariance of the Videogaming Motives Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Gaming motives appear to be an important predictor of time spent gaming and disordered gaming. The Videogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ) has shown adequate psychometric properties to assess gaming motives among Spanish college students. However, the utility of this measure has not yet been explored in other cultures. This research aimed to examine the structure and measurement invariance of the VMQ across seven countries and gender groups, and to provide criterion-related validity evidence for VMQ scores. METHOD: College students who reported having played videogames in the last year (n = 5192; 59.07 % women) from the US, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, England, and Uruguay completed an online survey to measure time spent gaming, disordered gaming, and the VMQ. RESULTS: Findings support a 24-item 8-intercorrelated factor model structure for the VMQ in the total sample. Our results also support configural, metric, and scalar invariance of the VMQ across gender groups and countries. Students from North America (US and Canada) scored higher on most gaming motives (except recreation and cognitive development) than students from the other countries. The correlations between VMQ and non-VMQ variables were similar across gender and countries, except in England where VMQ correlations with time spent gaming were stronger. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the VMQ is a useful measure for assessing gaming motives across young adults from different countries.

Internalizing symptoms, rumination, and problematic social networking site use: A cross national examination among young adults in seven countries.

BACKGROUND: As daily engagement with social networking sites (SNS) increases globally, identifying and understanding the risk factors associated with problematic SNS use is of utmost importance. Researchers are interested in understanding internalizing symptoms as both a risk factor and a negative consequence of problematic SNS use. Prior research has proposed rumination alongside internalizing symptoms as a risk factor, though limited research has examined these associations across different cultures. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the indirect associations between internalizing symptoms (specifically depressive and social anxiety symptoms) and problematic SNS use via rumination among a cross-cultural sample. METHOD: Participants were 8,912 (70.8 % female; Mean age = 20.25, SD = 3.95) college students recruited across seven countries (U.S., Canada, Spain, England, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa) who completed measures of internalizing symptoms, rumination, weekly SNS use, and problematic SNS use. RESULTS: We found that higher internalizing symptoms were associated with more problematic SNS use via higher ruminative thinking. Specifically, problem-focused thoughts (a rumination subtype) uniquely accounted for 22.89% and 28.15% of the total effect of depressive and social anxiety symptoms on problematic SNS use, respectively. Other rumination subtypes (i.e., anticipatory thoughts and repetitive thinking) also demonstrated significant indirect effects, though weaker effects than for problem-focused thoughts. Findings were invariant across countries. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide support for further exploring the role rumination plays in determining and comparing problematic SNS use cross-culturally in longitudinal and experimental work.

Percepción de riesgo asociada al consumo de alcohol, tabaco y marihuana en estudiantes universitarios: diferencias en función del consumo y del sexo / Perceived risk associated with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana: differences according to use and gender

Resumen El consumo de alcohol, tabaco y marihuana presenta una alta prevalencia entre adultos emergentes universitarios. Una variable que incide en el consumo de estas tres sustancias psicoactivas es la percepción de riesgo asociada a dicha conducta. Este estudio examinó -en adultos emergentes universitarios argentinos- la relación bi o multivariada, entre el riesgo percibido de consumir alcohol, tabaco y marihuana, y el consumo propiamente dicho de estas sustancias. Se analizaron también variaciones en la percepción de riesgo en función del sexo y del tipo de consumo (con y sin consumo episódico excesivo de alcohol [CEEA], con y sin consumo de tabaco o marihuana). La muestra final, no probabilística y de carácter accidental, estuvo compuesta por 279 estudiantes universitarios (75.6% mujeres; M edad = 23.02; DE = 3.36) que completaron un cuestionario online. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la percepción de riesgo (global y para indicadores individuales) en función del sexo y del tipo de consumo. A su vez, el sexo (i.e., ser hombre) y la mayor frecuencia de CEEA, de consumo de tabaco y marihuana se asociaron a la percepción de un menor riesgo atribuido al consumo de cada sustancia. Los hallazgos sugieren que las conductas de consumo frecuente e intensivo podrían ser el foco de intervenciones para corregir posibles sesgos en la interpretación o valoración del riesgo percibido.

Abstract Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana consumption is highly prevalent among emerging adult college students. One of the variables influencing the consumption of these three psychoactive substances is the perception of risk associated with such behavior. This work examined bivariate and multivariate relationships between risk perception of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use, and the use of those substances, in Argentinian emerging adults that attend college. Additionally, we analyzed differences in risk perception in regards of gender. A sample of 279 college students (75.6% women; M age = 23.02; SD = 3.36) completed an online survey. We used a non-probabilistic and accidental sampling. We found significant differences in risk perception as a function of gender and type of consumption (i.e., with/without heavy episodic drinking [HED], with or without tobacco/marijuana use). Being men and exhibiting a higher frequency of HED, tobacco or marijuana consumption were significantly associated to the perception of a lower risk attributed to each substance. These findings suggests that frequent and intensive substance use behaviors could be the focus for interventions to correct risk perceptions.

Eating-to-Cope Motives and Uncontrolled Eating as Mediators Between Negative Emotional States and Food Addiction Among Argentinean Young Adults.

Negative emotional states (NES; i.e., depression, anxiety and stress) are likely contributors to the development of food addiction (FA). The association between NES and FA symptoms may be mediated by altered eating behaviors or by eating-to-cope motives. This study examined, in a sample of Argentinean young adults, the association between NES and FA symptoms via eating-to-cope motives and three patterns of eating behaviors. We also examined whether the model was invariant across college status. The transition from high school to college is usually associated with increased exposure to stress, which promotes the probability of engaging in altered eating behaviors. A sample of 499 Argentinean young adults (mean age = 24.9 ± 3.51 years) completed a survey that assessed FA symptoms, eating behaviors (i.e., uncontrolled, emotional, and restrained eating), eating-to-cope motives and NES. A path analysis tested the indirect association between NES and FA symptoms via uncontrolled, emotional or restrained eating, or by eating-to-cope. Stress and depression symptoms were indirectly associated with FA symptoms via uncontrolled eating and eating-to-cope motives. The model was invariant across college status. The findings suggest that NES are associated with FA symptoms by increasing uncontrolled eating and eating-to-cope motives. Young adults exhibiting greater depressive or stress symptoms, higher eating-to-cope, or higher uncontrolled eating may be at risk for FA. Future research should examine the significance of this pattern by tailoring interventions to these characteristics.

Evaluación del Modelo de Predisposición Adquirida para consumo de alcohol en adolescentes / Evaluation of the Acquired Preparedness Model for Alcohol Use in Adolescents / Avaliação do Modelo de Predisposição Adquirida para o consumo de álcool em adolescentes

Durante la adolescencia se observan altas tasas de consumo elevado de alcohol. El Modelo de Predisposición Adquirida (mpa) postula que la confluencia de factores de personalidad (como la impulsividad) y factores psicosociales (como las expectativas hacia el alcohol [ea]) predice el consumo de sustancias. Algunos resultados previos respaldan el mpa para explicar el uso de alcohol en adolescentes argentinos; sin embargo, no queda claro el modo en que distintas dimensiones de impulsividad se asocian con el uso de alcohol en esta etapa del desarrollo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue examinar, en una muestra de adolescentes argentinos, el rol mediador de las ea en la relación entre cinco dimensiones de impulsividad rasgo, medidas con la escala upps-p y la frecuencia de Consumo Episódico Elevado de Alcohol (ceea). Materiales y métodos: participaron 427 adolescentes de 13 a 18 años (58 % mujeres; M edad = 15.72, de = 1.48), escolarizados en el nivel medio (91.1 % en gestión privada). Resultados: apoyando el mpa, la tendencia a actuar precipitadamente bajo estados emocionales intensos (tanto positivos como negativos) se asoció a una mayor frecuencia de ceea vía una mayor anticipación de efectos positivos del consumo de alcohol. Urgencia positiva tuvo, además, un efecto directo sobre la frecuencia de ceea. Conclusiones: esta información puede ser de utilidad para el desarrollo de intervenciones destinadas a disminuir el desarrollo o mantenimiento de las positivas y, de esta manera, reducir el consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes.

High rates of heavy alcohol use are observed among adolescents. The Acquired Preparedness Model (apm) posits that the confluence of personality factors (e.g., impulsivity) and psychosocial factors (e.g., alcohol expectancies [aes]) predicts substance use. Research supports the use of the apmto explain alcohol use in Argentinean adolescents; however, how different dimensions of impulsivity are associ-ated with alcohol use at this developmental stage is unclear. This study was designed to examine the mediational role of aes in the relationship between multiple dimensions of trait-like impulsivity using the upps-p scale and the frequency of heavy episodic drinking (hed) in Argentinean adolescents. Materials and Methods: In this study, 427 adolescents (58% were women) with a mean age of 15.72 ± 1.48 years (range, 13­18 years) were enrolled. Results: In line with the associations proposed by the apm, this study showed that the tendency to act rashly under intense negative and positive emotions was positively associated with the frequency of hed, via the anticipation of more positive effects of alcohol use. Positive urgency also had a direct effect on the frequency of hed. This information may be useful in developing interventions to reduce positive aes to decrease adolescent alcohol use.

na adolescência observam-se altas taxas de consumo de álcool. O Modelo de Predisposição Adquirida (mpa) postula que a confluência de fatores de personalidade (como a impulsividade) e fatores psicossociais (como expectativas em relação ao álcool [ea]) prediz o uso de substâncias. Alguns resul-tados anteriores corroboram o mpa para explicar o consumo de álcool em adolescentes argentinos; no entanto, não está claro como as diferentes dimensões da impulsividade estão associadas ao consumo de álcool nesta fase do desenvolvimento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi examinar, em uma amostra de adolescentes argentinos, o papel mediador da ea na relação entre cinco dimensões do traço de impul-sividade, medidas com a escala upps-p e a frequência de Consumo Episódico Elevado de Álcool (ceea). Materiais e métodos: participaram 427 adolescentes de 13 a 18 anos (58% mulheres; M idade = 15,72; dp = 1,48), matriculados no ensino médio (91,1% em escola particular). Resultados: apoiando o mpa, mostra-se que a tendência a agir precipitadamente sob estados emocionais intensos ­tanto positivos quanto negativos­ foi associada a uma maior frequência de ceea por meio de uma maior antecipação dos efeitos positivos do consumo de álcool. A urgência positiva também teve efeito direto na frequência de ceea. Conclusões: esta informação pode ser útil para o desenvolvimento de intervenções que visem reduzir o desenvolvimento ou manutenção de ea positivas e, desta forma, reduzir o consumo de álcool em adolescentes.

Factores que diferencian el consumo frecuente y esporádico de marihuana en estudiantes universitarios / Factors differentiating frequent and sporadic marijuana use in college students

Resumen Aunque el consumo de marihuana es altamente prevalente entre universitarios de Argentina, poco se sabe respecto a los factores que permiten distinguir a los consumidores frecuentes de marihuana de quienes consumen esporádicamente. Por esta razón, en el presente trabajo se indagó sobre las posibles variaciones en los contextos de consumo, motivos de consumo, normas percibidas y estrategias conductuales de protección entre universitarios con consumo frecuente o esporádico de marihuana, y se analizó la utilidad de este conjunto de variables para distinguir entre estos los tipos de consumidores mencionados. Para ello, se contó con una muestra de 1083 estudiantes universitarios argentinos que completó una encuesta en línea sobre el consumo de sustancias. En particular, este trabajo se realizó con la submuestra que reportó consumir marihuana en los últimos 30 días (n = 158; 51.3 % mujeres). Dicha encuesta interrogaba sobre el consumo de marihuana y las consecuencias negativas asociadas, así como por motivos de consumo, normas sociales percibidas y estrategias conductuales de protección. Como resultado, los consumidores frecuentes presentaron mayor cantidad de consecuencias negativas (M = 4.92) que los consumidores esporádicos (M = 1.82; p < .05), y se halló un perfil distintivo en un conjunto de variables. A nivel multivariado, los motivos de animación (OR = 1.230; p < .05), las estrategias conductuales de protección (OR = .941; p < .05), el consumo en solitario (OR = 2.024; p < .05) y el consumo en fiestas universitarias (OR = 2.669; p < .05) discriminaron significativamente entre ambas clases de consumidores. En general, los hallazgos revelaron subpoblaciones heterogéneas de consumidores de marihuana que difieren no solo en el consumo y sus consecuencias, sino también en los contextos de consumo y en un conjunto de variables relevantes. Estas subpoblaciones distintivas requieren de intervenciones diferentes y específicas.

Abstract Although marijuana use is highly prevalent among university students in Argentina, little is known about the factors that distinguish frequent marijuana users from sporadic users. For this reason, the present study investigated the possible variations in the contexts of consumption, motives for consumption, perceived norms, and protective behavioral strategies among university students with frequent or sporadic marijuana use, and analyzed the usefulness of this set of variables to distinguish between these two types of users. For this purpose, a sample of 1083 Argentine university students completed an online survey on substance use. In particular, this work was conducted with the subsample that reported using marijuana in the last 30 days (n = 158; 51.3 % female). The survey asked about marijuana use and associated negative consequences, as well as motives for use, perceived social norms, and protective behavioral strategies. As a result, frequent users had a higher number of negative consequences (M = 4.92) than sporadic users (M = 1.82; p < .05), and a distinctive profile was found on a set of variables. At the multivariate level, cheerleading motives (OR = 1.230; p < .05), protective behavioral strategies (OR = .941; p < .05), solo use (OR = 2.024; p < .05), and college party use (OR = 2.669; p < .05) discriminated significantly between the two classes of users. Overall, the findings revealed heterogeneous subpopulations of marijuana users that differ not only in use and its consequences, but also in contexts of use and in a set of relevant variables. These distinct subpopulations require different and specific interventions.

Factors Associated with Simultaneous or Concurrent Use of Alcohol and Marijuana in Argentina.

Background: The identification of factors promoting simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use is important to promote early intervention efforts. The associations between impulsivity facets and SAM (or concurrent alcohol and marijuana, CAM) use have been analyzed in North American samples. These topics, however, remain unexplored in South American samples. This study assessed if internalizing symptoms, five impulsivity dimensions, and emotional regulation strategies differentiate between participants who reported last 2-month SAM use, CAM use, alcohol, or marijuana only use, or that reported no substance use. Methods: A sample of 1057 Argentinian citizens answered an online survey. A multinominal logistic regression was conducted on drug use membership. Results: Circa 25% of the sample reported SAM use. Higher sensation seeking differentiated between SAM use versus no substance use, and those with lower sensation seeking were more likely to be classified into the alcohol-only group or into the nonuse group, than into the SAM use group. Stress scores uniquely predicted membership into the alcohol-only category. Those with lower use of emotional suppression were more likely than nonusers to be classified in all drug use categories, except CAM use. Higher emotional suppression scores were associated with membership into the nonuse group or the alcohol-only group, when compared to the SAM use group. Hazardous drinking was significantly greater in SAM than in alcohol-only users. Conclusions: The study highlights the relevance of sensation seeking as a predictor of SAM use and pinpoints emotional suppression as common factor modulating hazardous drug use behaviors.

Impulsividad y toma de riesgos: efecto prospectivo sobre el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes argentinos / Impulsivity and risk taking: prospective effect on alcohol consumption in Argentine adolescents

La impulsividad y la toma de riesgos son dos factores de personalidad estrechamente asociados y que han sido relacionados con el consumode alcohol. Sin embargo, son escasos los estudios que evalúan de manera longitudinal la relación de estas variables sobre el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes latinoamericanos. Esta investigación examinó, atendiendo a las diferencias en función del sexo, el efecto prospectivo dela impulsividad rasgo (Urgencia Positiva, Urgencia Negativa, Falta de Premeditación, Falta de Perseverancia y Búsqueda de Sensaciones) y latoma de riesgos sobre el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes argentinos. Participaron 953 estudiantes de 11 a 16 años al inicio del estudio(M edad= 13.31 ± 0.96; 55.2% mujeres) residentes en Córdoba capital (Argentina). Se realizaron dos recogidas de datos separadas por unperíodo de 12 meses. En la primera recolección, los participantes informaron de su consumo de alcohol durante los últimos doce meses, completaron la Prueba de Riesgo Analógico con Globos y respondieron una encuesta sobre impulsividad rasgo (Escala de impulsividad UPPS-P).En la segunda evaluación reportaron su consumo de alcohol durante el último año. En función del consumo de alcohol en los dos tiempos se losclasificó en: Abstemios, Nuevos Bebedores, Bebedores Regulares y Nuevos Abstemios. Los resultados muestran que las distintas dimensionesde la impulsividad (en particular la Búsqueda de Sensaciones), en ambos sexos, y la toma de riesgos, en mujeres, permitieron distinguir entrequienes nunca consumieron alcohol y las restantes modalidades de consumo. Los hallazgos tienen implicancias prácticas para el desarrollo deintervenciones destinadas a adolescentes con elevados niveles de impulsividad y toma de riesgos, atendiendo especialmente a las diferencias en función del sexo. (AU)

Impulsivity and risk taking are personality traits associated to alcohol use. However, there is a scarcity of longitudinal studies evaluating how these factors affect alcohol use inLatin-American adolescents. The present study aimed at identifying, separately by sex, the prospective role of trait-like impulsivity (PositiveUrgency, Negative Urgency, Lack of Premeditation, Lack of Perseverance and Sensation Seeking) and risk taking on drinking patterns inArgentinian adolescents. High school students (n= 953, M age= 13.31 ± 0.96; range= 11-16 years old; 55.2% woman) from Cordoba (Argentina) participated in the study. There were two data collections, separated by a period of, approximately, 12 months. In the first data collection, the participants reported their alcohol consumption during the last twelve months and completed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Theyalso completed a psychometric measure of impulsivity-like trait trait (UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale). In the second data collection, they reportedtheir alcohol consumption during the last year. Participants were categorized, based on their alcohol use across waves, as Abstainers, NewDrinkers, Regular Drinkers or Former Drinkers. The results indicate that trait-like impulsivity (particularly Sensation Seeking), in both sexes,and risk taking, in women, distinguished between the drinking categories and the Abstainers category. This information could be relevant forthe development of sex-specific interventions targeting adolescents with high levels of impulsivity and risk taking. (AU)

Quantifying cannabis problems among college students from English and Spanish speaking countries: Cross-cultural validation of the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R).

OBJECTIVE: The Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test - Revised (CUDIT-R) is a broadly employed measure of cannabis-related problems. However, minimal research has tested the measurement invariance of the CUDIT-R among youths from different countries, hindering cross-national comparisons. Thus, the present study aimed to test the measurement invariance of the CUDIT-R between seven countries and gender groups, and provide different sources of reliability and validity evidence of the scale. METHODS: A sample of 4,712 college student lifetime cannabis users (mean age = 20.57, SD = 3.97; 70.4% females) from seven countries completed the CUDIT-R. Last 30-day cannabis users (n = 2402; mean age = 20.09, SD = 3.18; 67.7% females) additionally completed another measure of cannabis-related problems, and measures of cannabis frequency, quantity and motives. RESULTS: Multigroup analysis showed configural (equal number of factors and pattern of factor-indicator relationships), metric (equal factor loadings) and scalar (equal thresholds) invariance of the CUDIT-R across five countries and across gender in the sample of lifetime cannabis users. Cronbach's alphas and ordinal omegas ranked from .72 and .85. Large correlations were found between the CUDIT-R and another cannabis-related problem scale. Small to large associations were found between the CUDIT-R and other criterion variables (frequency and quantity of consumption and cannabis-related motives) providing convergent and discriminant validity evidence. Only a few differences in the magnitude of the correlations across countries were found. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the CUDIT-R is a suitable measure to assess cannabis-related problems among college student from the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Spain, and Argentina and across gender groups.

A longitudinal study among young adults into the predictive effect of perceived efficacy of behavioural strategies and the moderating role of drinking motives on use of protective behavioural strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Although protective behavioural strategies (PBS) have shown to be effective in minimising alcohol-related negative consequences, research on the explanatory factors of their use is very scarce. Perceived efficacy has been demonstrated to be one of the most relevant explanatory factors in the use of health-related protective behaviours. The present study prospectively examines the relationship between the perceived efficacy of PBS in reducing alcohol-related negative consequences and the use of PBS in a community-based sample of young adults. In addition, the moderating role of drinking motives in this relationship is also examined. METHODS: Prospective design with a baseline assessment and a 2-month follow up. Using a targeted sampling procedure, 339 young adults were recruited from the community [mean age: 21.1 (SD = 2.21); female = 50.7%] and completed questionnaires to measure perceived efficacy of PBS and drinking motives at baseline and PBS use at follow up. RESULTS: Perceived efficacy of PBS at baseline was positively associated with PBS use at follow up, and these relationships were weaker as social, enhancement and coping motives scores increased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the need to include the perceived efficacy of PBS to reduce alcohol-related negative consequences in future interventions aimed at promoting PBS use. Moreover, these interventions should be personalised according to the initial levels of participants' drinking motives, incorporating elements that allow for neutralising their negative effects on PBS use (e.g. training in coping skills for those with strong coping motives).

The Association between Distress Tolerance and Alcohol Outcomes via Internal Drinking Motives.

INTRODUCTION: Previous work suggests that college students who perceive themselves as less able to tolerate negative affect are more motivated to use alcohol to alleviate psychological distress. Recent findings also indicate that distress tolerance influences alcohol outcomes via a positive reinforcement pathway. However, results concerning the association between distress tolerance and alcohol outcomes remain inconsistent. Aim: The present study examined the association between distinctive features of distress tolerance and alcohol outcomes via internal drinking motives (i.e., coping and enhancement) in Argentinean college students. Method: From April to November 2019, a sample of 387 college students with last-month alcohol use (Mean age = 21.09 ± 4.98) completed an online survey assessing alcohol outcomes (past-month frequency of binge drinking and negative alcohol-related consequences), internal drinking motives, and four components of distress tolerance (i.e., tolerance, appraisal, absorption, and regulation). Results: The associations between specific facets of distress tolerance and drinking outcomes were atemporally mediated by coping and enhancement motives. Coping motives significantly mediated the effect of absorption and appraisal on alcohol-related problems (i.e., lower absorption and lower appraisal were associated with more problems via higher coping motives). Enhancement motives significantly mediated the effect of absorption (lower absorption was associated with greater enhancement motives) on binge drinking frequency and alcohol-related problems. Conclusions: Distress tolerance was associated with alcohol outcomes via coping and enhancement motives in this sample of Argentinean undergraduates. The ability to withstand negative affect could be a focal point of interventions to prevent the development of maladaptive patterns of drinking.

Reinforcer pathology of internet-related behaviors among college students: Data from six countries.

Research has demonstrated that repeated engagement in low-effort behaviors that are associated with immediate reward, such as Internet use, can result in a pathological reinforcement process in which the behavior is increasingly selected over other activities due, in part, to a low availability of alternative activities and to a strong preference for immediate rather than delayed rewards (delay discounting). However, this reinforcer pathology model has not been generalized to other Internet-related behaviors, such as online gaming or smartphone use. Given the widespread availability of these technologies, it is also important to examine whether reinforcer pathology of Internet-related behaviors is culturally universal or culture-specific. The current study examines relations between behavioral economic constructs (Internet demand, delay discounting, and alternative reinforcement) and Internet-related addictive behaviors (harmful Internet use, smartphone use, online gaming, and Internet sexual behavior) in a cross-sectional sample of college students (N = 1,406) from six different countries (Argentina, Australia, India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Using structural equation modeling, Internet demand was associated with harmful Internet use, smartphone use, and online gaming; delay discounting was associated with harmful smartphone use; and alternative reinforcement was associated with harmful Internet and smartphone use. The models were partially invariant across countries. However, mean levels of behavioral economic variables differed across countries, country-level gross domestic product, person-level income, and sex at birth. Results support behavioral economic theory and highlight the importance of considering both individual and country-level sociocultural contextual factors in models for understanding harmful engagement with Internet-related behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A cross-national examination of cannabis protective behavioral strategies' role in the relationship between Big Five personality traits and cannabis outcomes.

Background: Problematic cannabis use is common among young adults across the world. However, limited research has examined whether etiological models predicting negative consequences are universal.Objective: The present study examined whether the Five-Factor Model of personality (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) relates to cannabis outcomes via use of cannabis protective behavioral strategies (PBS) in a cross-national sample of college student cannabis users (i.e., used cannabis in the last 30 days).Method: Participants were 1175 university students (63.27% female) across five countries (United States, Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, and the Netherlands) recruited to complete an online survey.Results: PBS use mediated the associations between personality traits and cannabis consequences, such that higher conscientiousness (ß = .20), agreeableness (ß = .11), and lower emotional stability [i.e., higher neuroticism] (ß = -.14) were associated with more PBS use. Higher PBS use was, in turn, associated with lower frequency of cannabis use (ß = -.32); lower frequency of use was then associated with fewer cannabis consequences (ß = .34). This sequential pathway was invariant across sex, but not countries. Notably, there were a number of differences in links between PBS and cannabis outcomes when comparing countries (e.g., negative associations in the US sample, but positive associations in the Argentina sample).Conclusions: Cannabis PBS mediates the relationship between personality traits and cannabis outcomes, but there are nuanced differences across countries (i.e., relationship between PBS and cannabis outcomes). Overall, students that are low in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism and/or report low rates of PBS use may benefit from cannabis PBS-focused interventions that promote utilization of PBS.

Young adult concurrent use and simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana: A cross-national examination among college students in seven countries.

INTRODUCTION: Many young adults report frequent co-use of alcohol and marijuana, with some individuals engaging in simultaneous use (SAM; use of both substances within the same occasion resulting in an overlap of their effects) and others in concurrent use (CAM; use of both substances during a similar time period [e.g., past 30 days] but not within the same occasion). Emerging work demonstrates that SAM relative to CAM use places individuals at a greater risk for substance-related harms; however, these results primarily rely on U.S. samples. The goal of the present multi-country study was to examine prevalence rates of CAM and SAM use and examine differences in past 30-day SAM/CAM use on alcohol/marijuana substance-related outcomes among college students from seven countries. METHODS: A total of 9171 (70.5% women; Mean age = 20.28, SD = 3.96) college students participated in the cross-sectional online survey study. RESULTS: Among students who endorsed use of both alcohol and marijuana in the past 30-days (n = 2124), SAM use (75.8%) was far more prevalent than CAM use (24.2%). Moreover, ∼75% of students endorsed SAM use within each country subsample. Regression models showed that SAM vs. CAM use was associated with greater alcohol and marijuana use and negative consequences. CONCLUSIONS: College students from around the world endorse high rates of SAM use, and this pattern of co-use is associated with greater frequency of use and substance-related harms. On college campuses, SAM use should be a target of clinical prevention/intervention efforts and the mechanisms underpinning the unique harms of SAM need to be clarified.

Self-control and problematic use of social networking sites: Examining distress tolerance as a mediator among Argentinian college students.

INTRODUCTION: Use of Social networking sites (SNSs) is a highly prevalent behavior worldwide and, for some individuals, its use can turn maladaptive. There has been growing interest to identify which variables are associated with problematic use of SNSs. AIM: The present study cross-sectionally examined whether the associations between different features of self-control (i.e., impulsivity-like traits, self-regulation and emotion regulation) indirectly relate to two outcomes of SNSs (hours of use and problematic use) via distress tolerance. METHODS: A sample of 509 Argentinean college students (70.3% female; Mean age = 21.15 ± 5.15) completed an online survey. RESULTS: Two significant indirect effects were found: a) higher negative urgency was associated with higher problematic use of SNSs via lower distress tolerance and b) higher self-regulation was associated with lower problematic use of SNSs via higher distress tolerance. Positive urgency, negative urgency and self-regulation had significant direct associations with problematic use of SNSs while neither component of emotion regulation was significantly associated with SNSs outcomes. No significant direct or indirect effects were found between any of the self-control features and time spent using SNSs. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight dysfunctional self-control, particularly emotion-driven impulsivity and low self-regulation, as relevant components of maladaptive SNSs that seem to operate by decreasing the perceived capacity to tolerate negative affect. In this context, interventions targeting the development and improvement of distress tolerance abilities might have a positive impact on problematic use of SNS.

Conductas sexuales de riesgo en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios argentinos: relación con consumo de sustancias, inicio sexual temprano e impulsividad rasgo / Risky sexual behaviors in a sample of Argentinean college students: Relationship with substance use, early sexual onset and trait-like impulsivity

Resumen Introducción: Los adultos emergentes universitarios son particularmente vulnerables a presentar consumo abusivo de sustancias y conductas sexuales de riesgo (CSR), lo que incrementa el riesgo de contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) o embarazo no deseado. Objetivo: Examinar, en universitarios, si el tipo de consumo de sustancias (alcohol versus uso concurrente de alcohol y marihuana) y el nivel de impulsividad rasgo se asocian con la frecuencia de CSR con parejas ocasionales. Método: Una muestra de 467 estudiantes completó una encuesta online que medía frecuencia de CSR, ocurrencia de consumo de alcohol y de marihuana en el último año y nivel de impulsividad. Resultados: Los consumidores de alcohol y marihuana, comparados con los consumidores de alcohol, reportaron mayor promedio de parejas sexuales al año y mayor arrepentimiento por no cuidarse contra ITS/embarazo. Los participantes con uso concurrente de sustancias, y niveles medios y altos en las facetas de impulsividad, falta de perseverancia y de premeditación, mostraron mayor frecuencia de encuentros sexuales que los consumidores de alcohol o con baja impulsividad. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que el uso concurrente de sustancias y ciertas facetas de impulsividad se asocian a una mayor frecuencia de determinadas CSR. Esta información podría ser útil para intervenir preventivamente en CSR en universitarios argentinos.

Abstract Introduction: College students, a subpopulation of emerging adults, are particularly vulnerable to exhibit substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors. These behaviors put people at risk for sexually transmitted infections and/or unwanted pregnancy. Aim: To examine, in college students, whether the pattern of substance use (i.e., alcohol versus co-use of alcohol and marijuana) and the level of impulsivity are associated with the frequency of risky sexual behaviors with occasional partners. Method: A sample of 467 college students completed an online survey that assessed the frequency of risky sexual behaviors, past-year alcohol and marijuana use and trait-like impulsivity. Results: Alcohol/marijuana co-users, compared with alcohol users, reported a higher average of sexual partners per year and greater feelings of regret following careless sexual encounters. Co-users with medium or high levels in lack of perseverance and lack of premeditation (i.e., two facets of impulsivity) reported higher frequency of sexual encounters than alcohol users and/or students with low impulsivity. Conclusions: Findings suggest substance co-use, alongside different facets of impulsivity, are associated with greater frequency of specific risky sexual behaviors. These findings could better inform interventions aimed at prevent risky sexual behaviors in Argentinean college students.