Purpose Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by intrauterine alcohol exposure. The disorder is associated with a variety of neurocognitive deficits and reduced everyday functioning. FASD is also associated with an increased risk of substance use and substance-related disorders. Methods Data were collected in a special diagnostic service for adults with FASD at a university linked psychiatric hospital. The Diagnostic Interview for Mental Disorders (Mini DIPS-OA) and parts of the European Addiction Severity Index (EUROP-ASI-R) were used for the structured diagnosis of differential and comorbidity diagnoses as well as substance use. Results The sample comprised 238 individuals (48.7% female). The 30-day prevalence for alcohol was 54.3% for men and 36.1% for women. The 12-month prevalence for cannabis use was 31.3% for men and 17.9% for women. A diagnosis of substance-related disorder was confirmed in 7.1% (men: 4.6%, women 2.5%). Alcohol-related disorders were present in 2.1% of men and 0.8% of women. Cannabis-related disorders were present in 0.8% of women and 1.7% of men. Conclusion Adults living with FASD reported consuming alcohol less frequently than the general German population. The prevalence of alcohol-related disorders was lower in the FASD sample than in the general German population. However, adults living with FASD are a vulnerable group when it comes to cannabis use. This could lead to a deterioration in cognitive abilities that are already impaired due to FASD. Comorbid substance-related disorders were diagnosed in less than one in ten people, which is significantly lower than the rates described in the literature to date.

The present study investigated whether remembering the distant versus the recent personal past influences self-continuity levels and expected future event characteristics in a sample of immigrants. Seventy-three Turkish immigrants living in Denmark participated in three sessions involving questionnaires and life story interviews. In the first session, participants completed baseline measures of self-continuity, psychological wellbeing, acculturation, and demographics. In the second and third sessions, they recalled significant events and narrated life stories from pre-migration (distant past) and post-migration (recent past), followed by measures of self-continuity and wellbeing. After each memory recall, participants described three expected future events and rated them on phenomenological characteristics such as vividness and emotional valence. We analyzed differences in self-continuity and future event characteristics between the pre- and post-migration conditions, as well as the relationships among the variables, thematic content of future events, and their resemblance to cultural life scripts. Results revealed no significant differences in future event characteristics between the conditions. However, a small difference emerged in self-continuity levels: contrary to expectations, participants reported slightly higher self-continuity in the pre-migration condition than in the post-migration condition. These findings contribute to understanding of how autobiographical memory relate to future thinking and self in the context of migration.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. FASD is associated with various neurocognitive disorders over the entire lifespan. Comorbid mental health disorders seem to be highly prevalent. Suicide attempts and substance use as well as substance use disorders are also associated with FASD in adults. However, previous studies report small or very selective samples. Little is known about gender differences in larger samples of adults with FASD. Structured clinical interviews based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were administered for the diagnosis of mental health disorders, suicidality, and substance use including substance-related disorders. Data was analyzed separately for men and women to identify gender differences. The sample consisted of 238 adults (51.3

Background: Sexualized substance use (SSU) describes the use of psychotropic substances in the context of sexual activity. Less is known about the role of sexualized substance use among individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and its effect on the course of the disorder, e.g., regarding relapses after abstinence. Methods: A convenience sample of individuals undergoing SUD rehabilitation in Germany was surveyed. A questionnaire asked about SSU, sex as a risk factor for relapse, and the importance of sexuality in treatment. Results: N = 490 (30.1% female) participated; 55% of men and 63% of women reported SSU, and 56.5% of heterosexual and 82.9% of homosexual men reported SSU (p < 0.017; r = 0.20). Stimulant users are more likely to report SSU than alcohol (p < 0.001) and sedative users (p < 0.001; r = 0.296 and r = 0.261). Furthermore, 15% of women and 18% of men consider sexual activity a risk factor for relapse; homosexual men (65%) consider it significantly more often than heterosexual men (14%), while 41.2% of heterosexual women and 55% of homosexual women consider it a factor. Additionally, 27.4% of heterosexual and 69.4% identified sexuality as an important topic for therapy, while 19.8% of heterosexual women, 30% of homosexual women, 13.5% of heterosexual men, and 47.2% of homosexual men reported that sexuality had been addressed in their therapy. Conclusions: SSU was reported by individuals with a SUD who were undergoing rehabilitation treatment. Furthermore, patients consider sexual activity as a potential risk factor for relapse, with this being particularly the case for stimulant users. The topic of sexuality is highly important for patients and should, therefore, be given greater consideration in therapy in the future.

Zusammenfassung: Zielsetzung: Chemsex bedeutet Substanzkonsum im sexuellen Kontext und ist mit Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben assoziiert. Typische Substanzen sind Methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, Ketamin und Mephedron. Chemsex ist mit psychischer Belastung assoziiert. Internalisierte Homonegativität gilt als Erklärungsansatz. Die Studie überprüft die Hypothese, ob Chemsex-Verhalten mit einem höheren Ausmaß an psychischer Belastung und internalisierter Homonegativität einhergeht und welche Rolle georeferenzierte Dating-Apps bei Chemsex-Konsumenten spielen. Methodik: Die Datenerhebung erfolgte als Onlineumfrage. Es wurden Daten zu Depressivität (PHQ-9), Somatisierung (PHQ-15) und generalisierter Angst (GAD 7) und internalisierter Homonegativität (Reaction to Homosexuality Scale) erhoben. Ergebnisse: N=280 berichteten von Chemsex (CS), N=534 konsumierten andere Substanzen im sexuellen Kontext, N= 170 konsumierten im sexuellen Kontext nicht (NSSK). Es zeigten sich signifikante Unterschiede zwischen CS und NSSK bei der Somatisierung. CS wies ein signifikant geringeres Ausmaß internalisierter Homonegativität auf. CS nutzten signifikant häufiger georeferenzierte Dating-Apps. Schlussfolgerung: Internalisierte Homonegativität war unter Chemsex-Konsumenten am geringsten ausgeprägt und scheint Chemsex-Verhalten nicht zu begünstigen. Die psychische Belastung war erhöht. Möglicherweise tragen soziale Normierungsprozesse, verstärkt durch die Verwendung von Dating-Apps, zur Erklärung von Chemsex bei.

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Sexualisierter Substanzkonsum beschreibt den Konsum von psychotropen Substanzen zum Sex. Als spezifische Variante gilt „Chemsex“, der mit Männern, die Sex mit Männern haben (MSM), und Substanzen wie Methamphetamin, Mephedron, GHB/GBL und Ketamin assoziiert ist. Sexualisierter Substanzkonsum kann mit multiplen negativen physischen, psychischen und sozialen Folgen einhergehen. Zur Veränderungsmotivation und Inanspruchnahme des Suchthilfesystems von MSM mit sexualisiertem Substanzkonsum ist wenig bekannt. Das Ziel der Studie war es, die Gruppe der Chemsex-Konsumenten näher zu beschreiben, deren Konsummotive und Konsumkontexte sowie die Veränderungsmotivation der MSM in Bezug auf den Substanzkonsum abzubilden und deren Inanspruchnahme von Hilfeleistungen auszuführen. Methodik Im „German Chemsex Survey“ wurde online eine Stichprobe von MSM (N=1583) befragt. Die Umfrage umfasste 420 Items zu Substanzkonsum im sexuellen Kontext, Konsummotiven, Aspekten psychischer Gesundheit, sexuell übertragbaren Infektionen, negativen psychosozialen Folgen von „Chemsex“, und Schadensminimierungsstrategien. Zudem wurden die Veränderungsmotivation sowie die Inanspruchnahme von psychosozialen Hilfsangeboten erfragt. Ergebnisse 54,3% der Männer gab an, Substanzen im Zusammenhang von Sexualität konsumiert zu haben, 28,5% berichteten von typischen Chemsex Substanzen. Die 30-Tage-Prävalenz für Chemsex-Substanzen betrug: 14,4% für GHB/GBL, 11,2% für Ketamin, 8,2% für Methamphetamin und 6,1% für Mephedron. Die Prävalenz von HIV lag bei 24,6% und für Hepatitis C bei 1,6%. Ein Drittel bis die Hälfte der Konsumenten äußerten einen Veränderungswunsch bezüglich ihres Konsums, 9,3% äußerten professionellen Unterstützungsbedarf. Lediglich ein Prozent nahm aktuell Angebote der Suchthilfe in Anspruch. Schlussfolgerung Ein Drittel bis die Hälfte der Befragten gab an, dass sie eine Veränderung des Substanzkonsums im sexuellen Kontext anstreben. Die geringe Nutzung von Suchthilfeangeboten spricht für eine Versorgungslücke für MSM mit sexualisiertem Substanzkonsum.

Aim: Chemsex means substance use in a sexual context and is associated with men who have sex with men. Typical substances are methamphetamines, GHB/GBL, ketamine and mephedrone. Chemsex is associated with psychological distress. Internalized homonegativity is considered an explanatory approach. The study tests the hypothesis whether chemsex behavior is associated with higher levels of psychological distress and internalized homonegativity and what role georeferenced dating apps play in chemsex users. Methodology: The data collection was conducted as an online survey. Data were collected on depression (PHQ-9), somatization (PHQ-15) and generalized anxiety (GAD 7) and internalized homonegativity (Reaction to Homosexuality Scale). Results: N=280 reported chemsex (CS), N=534 used other substances in a sexual context, N= 170 did not use in a sexual context (NSSK). There were significant differences between CS and NSSK in terms of somatization. CS showed a significantly lower degree of internalized homonegativity. CS used georeferenced dating apps significantly more often. Conclusion: Internalized homonegativity was lowest among chemsex users and does not appear to promote chemsex behavior. Psychological distress was increased. It is possible that social normalization processes, reinforced by the use of dating apps, contribute to the explanation of chemsex

Purpose Sexualized substance use describes the use of psychotropic substances for sex. A specific variant is "chemsex" associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) and substances such as methamphetamine, mephedrone, GHB/GBL and ketamine. Sexualized substance use can be associated with multiple negative physical, psychological, and social consequences. Little is known about the motivation to change and addiction service utilization by MSM with sexualized substance use. The aim of the study was to describe the group of chemsex users, to depict their motives and contexts of use as well as the motivation of MSM to change their substance use and to describe their healthcare service utilization. Methods The "German Chemsex Survey", was conducted as an online survey with a convenience sample of men who have sex with men (N=1583). The survey comprised 420 items on substance use in a sexual context, motives for use, mental health, sexually transmitted infections, adverse psychosocial consequences of chemsex and harm reduction strategies. In addition, the motivation to change and health service utilization for substance use were surveyed. Results 54.3% of men reported substance use in the context of sexual activities, 28.5% reported the use of typical chemsex substances. The 30-day prevalence for chemsex substances was: 14.4% for GHB/GBL, 10.3% for ketamine, 8.2% for methamphetamine and 6.1% for mephedrone. The prevalence of HIV was 24.6% and 1.6% for hepatitis C. A third to half of the users expressed a desire to change their substance use, 9% expressed a need for professional support. Contrasting, only one percent were currently utilizing addiction services. Conclusion One third to one half of respondents stated that they were seeking to change their substance use in a sexual context. The low utilization of addiction support services indicates a gap in care for MSM with sexualized substance use.

The current research is a contribution to the ongoing scientific efforts to understand the emotional implications of acts of kindness. While a large body of studies has examined the benefits of remembering past episodes of prosocial (monetary) spending toward others, considerably fewer studies have examined the implications of past acts of kindness. Additionally, the phenomenological experiences (e.g., the vividness and memorability) of such memories remain unexplored, even though the phenomenological experiences may contribute to the emotional implications of acts of kindness over time when recollecting these memories. The current work addresses these research gaps in two preregistered experimental studies. Specifically, we examined the well-being benefits of recalling memories of acts of kindness toward others and oneself, and how such memories are experienced by the remembering person. Study 1 (N = 521) showed that the kindness memories (compared to a memory control) were more easily recalled and experienced as more emotionally intense and positive. In addition, recalling acts of kindness toward oneself significantly increased hedonic, but not eudaimonic, well-being. In contrast, our results showed no significant increases in hedonic or eudaimonic well-being from recalling acts of kindness toward others. Study 2 (N = 513) attempted to replicate the findings concerning hedonic well-being, as well as to use a more sensitive tool to measure eudaimonic well-being at the state level. Analyses revealed that participants in both kindness conditions (self; other) experienced significantly more state eudaimonic and hedonic well-being than the control condition. We discuss various interpretations of our findings, including the possibility that systematic population differences shape the benefits of acts of kindness toward others.

Background Research has consistently shown that the motor system and emotional processes are interrelated in non-clinical as well as in clinical populations. Therefore, the body might be a promising target for the treatment of depression. Based on these notions, we developed Body, Breath and Mind (BBM) a minimally monitored online intervention combining body orientated Qi Gong practice with elements of behavioral activation (BA). This study aims to assess the feasibility of BBM. Methods One hundred and ten adults showing at least moderate levels of depression were recruited and a single group pre-/post-test design was used. BBM consists of eight modules including Qi Gong as well as BA homework practice. Instructions for Qi Gong practice were given via video. Feasibility outcome measures included treatment adherence, preliminary effectiveness, satisfaction and practice time. Primary outcome measure was the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) assessing depressive symptoms. Results We found significant reduction of depressive symptoms with a large effect size ( d AV = – 1.82) and participants were satisfied with Qi Gong and BA elements as well as with the entire program. Thirty-four participants (31%) completed all eight modules. Conclusions The findings suggest that it would be feasible to proceed to a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the potential of BBM, a program combining body-oriented and BA elements.

Cultural life scripts organize culturally shared expectations regarding order and timing of life events during a prototypical life course. Prior research sustained that the semantic knowledge of cultural life scripts is relatively stable across decades and between age groups, even though this notion had only been investigated in relatively stable societies, and in mostly female samples. Therefore, this study obtained the newborn and elderly Emirati life scripts in an equal number of younger and older women and men. As expected, the Emirati newborn life script displays current Emirati lifestyle and customs. The elderly life script mirrors the traditional Emirati lifestyle; however, much less in the younger than in the older participants. Furthermore, we found differences in the temporal distribution and emotional valence of events between newborn and elderly life scripts. This study implies that cultural life scripts change with cultural transformation, but that adapting life script knowledge may necessitate experience.

Many studies have investigated age differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet results remain mixed. Possible causes for the variability in results include the difference between age at the time of the trauma and age at the time of the study, differences in trauma impact, and differences in trauma type. In this study, we asked participants to report their most traumatic event, and controlled for current age, retention interval, and trauma type. Participants were adults matched on whether their trauma occurred in youth (age 14-25, N = 103) or adulthood (age 30+, N = 103). We found that both younger age at the time of the trauma and younger age at the time of the study were associated with more PTSD-symptoms, but only when controlling for trauma impact, that is, how central to their life story and identity, participants perceived the event to be. Further, participants whose trauma occurred in youth reported more violent traumas, which in turn was associated with more PTSD-symptoms. Thus, younger age at trauma may be associated with an increased vulnerability because young people tend to experience worse events.

People think retrospectively about past events and prospectively about future events. Here, the novel method of retrospective future thinking is introduced to investigate the characteristics of autobiographical events reported as if they had been already experienced. In total, 166 participants were asked to (1) generate cultural life scripts and (2) to imagine themselves being 100-years old. From this perspective, they reported, dated and rated on valence their seven most important events. Results provide evidence that the cultural life script guides the recall and, more so, the imagination of retrospectively reported autobiographical events. Exploratory analysis of age effects indicated that older participants reported events that were more realistic, less scripted and wider distributed across the life span. This provides the first evidence that retrospective future thinking can alter older adults' life perspective by expanding their period for experiencing important events beyond the reminiscence bump years.

By manipulating our basic mode of prospectively thinking about the future, the present study examines the effect of retrospective future thinking on future events imagined as if they had already taken place. Here, 142 young adults were randomly assigned to report five autobiographical future events either prospectively from the perspective of their current self or retrospectively, imagining events from the perspective of their 100-year-old self. Participants indicated the expected age of occurrence and assessed phenomenological characteristics for each event. Results suggest that a shift in future thinking perspective affects the content and temporal distribution of future events. Characteristics of prospective future events diminished with increasing distance, whereas retrospective future events included overall more spatial details and remained high on belief in occurrence, vividness, and rehearsal across life. Retrospective future thinking influences the psychological distance of autobiographical future events, allowing us to hold even distant future events psychologically close.

Personal goals are important for the construction and organization of episodic future thought. This study examines the impact of two future thinking perspectives on qualities of mental goal representations. Here, 142 participants (Mage = 21.9 years) reported on the content and characteristics of five life goals either retrospectively, imagining goals from the perspective of their 100-year-old self, or prospectively from the perspective of their current self. Results indicate that retrospectively reported life goals relied more on schematized knowledge, were dated to occur later in life, and were perceived as more self-concordant with increasing distance from the present. Independent of condition, more distant goals were rated as more difficult, less likely to occur, and were associated with lower self-efficacy. This study provides the first evidence that the point in life from which you consider your own future affects the qualities of mental goal representations, suggesting that retrospective future thinking serves as a form of psychological distancing.

Abstract Background The impact of COVID-induced stress on mental health and alcohol use has been demonstrated in recent research. However, there is a lack of longitudinal data since most studies reported on cross-sectional data. It remains unclear how alcohol use develops under the dynamic changes of the pandemic. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the general development of alcohol use and the impact of COVID related stress on drinking behavior in a German population-based sample during the pandemic in 2020. Methods In the longitudinal design with three measurements (baseline [T1] and two follow-ups [T2, T3]) an online survey was administered. The survey included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) as well as the assessment of the drinking days in the last 30 days, the number of alcoholic beverages on each occasion and changes in alcohol use in the previous fourteen days. Further, COVID-19 related concerns, perceived stress, worries about friends and family and worries about the financial situation were also assessed and multiple linear regressions and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results 1050 participants started the survey, 756 participants (71.4%), 317 (52.7%) participants completed the survey at all three measurements. Seventy six percent (n = 241) of the sample were female. An increase in alcohol use in the previous 14 days was reported by 10.9% at T1, 3.9% at T2 and 3.6% at T3. Moreover, a decrease in alcohol use in the previous 14 days was reported by 8.7% at T1, 6.5% at T2 and 4.1% at T3. The number of drinking days was significantly higher at T2 than at baseline (p < .001; F = − 2.06, [CI − 3.10, − 1.02]). COVID-19 related concerns and stress were associated with a higher number of drinking days and average number of drinks at a typical occasion. AUDIT score at baseline positively predicted number of drinking days as well as average number of drinks. Conclusions The significant increases in alcohol use is a public health issue during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that especially people who drink more hazardously previously tend to drink more under pandemic conditions. Those individuals are particularly at risk for developing substance-related problems.

Many theories on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) make assumptions on the relationship between PTSD and centrality of traumas to the life story and identity. Although the Centrality of Event Scale (CES) is a popular measure of centrality of personally experienced events to the life story, no studies have examined whether self-rated "central" events are mentioned, when individuals recount their lives. It is also unknown if mentioning specific event types in the life story is related to psychological health or life story coherence. We asked 386 adults to write their life stories, nominate their most traumatic and positive events, rate these events on the CES, and complete measures of PTSD and depression. Two-thirds of the sample mentioned at least one event, with the positive event being mentioned twice as often as the trauma. Mentioned events were more central than non-mentioned events. Participants who mentioned their trauma scored higher on symptoms of PTSD and depression than participants who only mentioned their positive event, but did not write less coherent life stories. Further, death- and illness-related traumas were mentioned more often than accidents and disasters. Findings are discussed in relation to theories on trauma memory in PTSD.

Research has shown that identity in adolescence takes the shape of a coherent life story that integrates the past with the present self and provides meaning and purpose in the person's life. One stable feature of narrative identity identified in adults is emotional tone. Here, the development of emotional tone in life stories was investigated across childhood and adolescence. A total of 142 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years wrote about their past weekend, their past and future life stories and generated a cultural life script. Across age groups, adolescents told past life stories that were overall mixed (both positive and negative) or moderately positive in emotional tone, and future life stories that were positive or highly positive. In relation to life story development, we replicated findings on age-related development of life story coherence in both past and future life stories in 10-14-year-olds. Lastly, the study highlights the link between life story coherence and cultural life script abilities. Cultural life script typicality was linked to life story coherence for both past and future life stories and across all age groups, and a majority of events mentioned in future life stories overlapped with cultural life script events.

This exploratory study examines the structure of cultural life scripts (CLS) and autobiographical memories in a group of 13 non-WEIRD (Western Educated Industrialized Rich Democratic) Nunggubuyu from Australia. Participants provided a CLS and reported the events? expected timing and valence; and their seven most important memories, the age at the events and their valence. The CLS and important memories consisted mainly of positive events happening in early youth, but there was also a notable bump with positive events later in life. Results provide evidence for the important role of grandmothers in the Nunggubuyu culture, as both in the CLSs and in autobiographical memories, many events related to learning about Nunggubuyu culture as a child, and grandmothers teaching the community and especially children. Importantly, the results highlight that societal and cultural structures that differ from those in WEIRD communities may result in differences in CLS and in autobiographical memory recall.