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The psychological and genetic factors of the addictive behaviors (PGA) study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Most of the addiction studies focus on very specific aspects of addictions, often with contradictory results, and integrated studies are quite rare. Experimental studies comparing underlying mechanisms of addictions and analyzing data from an integrative psychological and genetic perspective are almost nonexistent. The aim of the present paper is to describe the research protocol of the Psychological and Genetic Factors of Addictive Behaviors (PGA) study, which applies an integrative approach to understanding the acquisition, development, and maintenance of addictive behaviors. METHODS:A wide-spectrum national study was carried out. Data were collected from 3,003 adolescents. Addictions to both psychoactive substances and behaviors were thoroughly assessed via psychometrically robust scales, which also included assessment related to a wide range of related psychological dimensions. Additionally, a DNA sample was also collected from participants. RESULTS:The paper presents the detailed methodology of the PGA study. Data collection procedures, instrumentation, and the analytical approach used to attain the research objectives are described. CONCLUSIONS:Future plans, along with potential contributions of the PGA study, are also discussed. It is envisaged that the study will provide a unique opportunity to test possible mechanisms and causal pathways mediating the associations of genetic factors, psychological characteristics, and addictions.

SUBMITTER: Kotyuk E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6877275 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The psychological and genetic factors of the addictive behaviors (PGA) study.

Kotyuk Eszter E Farkas Judit J Magi Anna A Eisinger Andrea A Király Orsolya O Vereczkei Andrea A Barta Csaba C Griffiths Mark D MD Kökönyei Gyöngyi G Székely Anna A Sasvári-Székely Mária M Demetrovics Zsolt Z

International journal of methods in psychiatric research 20181106 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>Most of the addiction studies focus on very specific aspects of addictions, often with contradictory results, and integrated studies are quite rare. Experimental studies comparing underlying mechanisms of addictions and analyzing data from an integrative psychological and genetic perspective are almost nonexistent. The aim of the present paper is to describe the research protocol of the Psychological and Genetic Factors of Addictive Behaviors (PGA) study, which applies an inte ...[more]

PMID: 30402898

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Project description:BACKGROUND:In the ever-growing and technologically advancing world, an increasing amount of social interaction takes place through the Web. With this change, loneliness is becoming an unprecedented societal issue, making youth more susceptible to various physical and mental health problems. This societal change also influences the dynamics of addiction. OBJECTIVE:Employing the cognitive discrepancy loneliness model, this study aimed to provide a social psychological perspective on youth addictions. METHODS:A comprehensive survey was used to collect data from American (N=1212; mean 20.05, SD 3.19; 608/1212, 50.17% women), South Korean (N=1192; mean 20.61, SD 3.24; 601/1192, 50.42% women), and Finnish (N=1200; mean 21.29, SD 2.85; 600/1200, 50.00% women) youths aged 15 to 25 years. Perceived loneliness was assessed with the 3-item Loneliness Scale. A total of 3 addictive behaviors were measured, including excessive alcohol use, compulsive internet use, and problem gambling. A total of 2 separate models using linear regression analyses were estimated for each country to examine the association between perceived loneliness and addiction. RESULTS:Loneliness was significantly related to only compulsive internet use among the youth in all 3 countries (P<.001 in the United States, South Korea, and Finland). In the South Korean sample, the association remained significant with excessive alcohol use (P<.001) and problem gambling (P<.001), even after controlling for potentially confounding psychological variables. CONCLUSIONS:The findings reveal existing differences between youths who spend excessive amounts of time online and those who engage in other types of addictive behaviors. Experiencing loneliness is consistently linked to compulsive internet use across countries, although different underlying factors may explain other forms of addiction. These findings provide a deeper understanding in the mechanisms of youth addiction and can help improve prevention and intervention work, especially in terms of compulsive internet use.

Dataset Information

The psychological and genetic factors of the addictive behaviors (PGA) study.

Publications

The psychological and genetic factors of the addictive behaviors (PGA) study.

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