Search Results (17)

In certain situations, romantic engagement with a partner can have detrimental effects on an individual’s well-being and overall health, exhibiting features attributable to addictive behaviors. Considering the clinical significance of this phenomenon and its prevalence among adolescents and young adults, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential associations between some risk factors for love addiction in a sample of university students, with a specific focus on adult attachment, separation anxiety, and defense mechanisms. A total of 332 participants (M_age = 23 years; SD = 2.462) completed a survey consisting of the Love Addiction Inventory—Short Form, Relationship Questionnaire, Seven Domains Addiction Scale (Separation Anxiety domain), and Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, and a multiple mediation model was also implemented. Results showed that fearful attachment was significantly and positively associated with love addiction. Furthermore, this relationship was mediated by separation anxiety and neurotic/immature defense mechanisms too. These findings contribute to the existing literature on love addiction and provide valuable insights for future research and clinical practice. Full article

Affective Dependence (AD) is a problematic model of the love relationship that is becoming increasingly prevalent and evident in the context of couple relationships. Similarly, the phenomenon is being observed with growing frequency in daily clinical practice, making it increasingly necessary to identify treatment guidelines that can help clinicians in dealing with AD, while waiting for the literature to reach a consensus on its definition and nosographic profile. The main objective of this work is to explore the existing evidence of effectiveness regarding feasible treatments for Affective Dependence through a scoping review of the international literature carried out using the main scientific databases and following the PRISMA-ScR (PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Seven studies were included in this review, and the results show that several pharmaceuticals, as well as different types of individual and group therapies, are proposed as treatment plans for AD. However, there is a lack of clinical trials that can verify the efficacy of the AD treatments reported so far in the literature. Some reflections that may help to distinguish a “healthy” addiction from a dysfunctional or markedly pathological one are considered alongside potential prevention perspectives. Full article

Research into the complexities of addictive eating behaviours continues to develop, as a deeper understanding of this construct beyond self-report diagnostic tools emerges. In this study, we undertook structured interviews with 40 participants engaged in a personality-based management program for addictive eating, to gain insight into what situations lead people with addictive eating behaviours to overeat, and how they believe their lives would be different if they had control over their eating. A phenomenological analysis to explore compulsion and control in the context of food experiences for participants was used to construct two main themes of the addictive eating paradox and striving to transition from ‘other’ to ‘normal’. The addictive eating paradox identified multiple contradictory experiences of a situation, e.g., ‘loving food’ but ‘hating food’. Striving to transition from ‘other’ to ‘normal’ encompassed the idea that participants envisaged that by gaining control over their eating they could become ‘normal’. This study emphasises the need to provide support and strategies to help people navigate paradoxical thoughts and presents new ideas to increase the effectiveness of interventions for individuals struggling with the complex self-beliefs held by those with addictive eating behaviours. Full article

In this study, we aimed to examine pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward reading books and their technology addictions. We used a correlational survey model. The sample of this study consisted of a Turkish pre-service teachers group studying at the Department of Turkish Education in the education faculty of a state university in Turkey. Our research used the “Attitude Scale Towards Reading” and “Technology Addiction Scale” as data collection tools. As a result of the study, we determined that the attitudes towards reading of pre-service teachers were positive. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in favor of female pre-service teachers in the sub-dimensions of book-reading love, reluctance to read, and stress. The significant difference in the online game-playing sub-dimension of technology addiction favored male pre-service teachers. On the other hand, we found a negative meaningful relationship between pre-service teachers’ technology addiction and their attitudes toward reading. Full article

Currently, academia is grappling with a significant problem—a lack of engagement. Humankind has gone too far into exploring entertainment options, while the education system has not really kept up. Millennials love playing games, and this addiction can be used to engage and motivate them in the learning process. This study examines the effect of digital game-based learning on student engagement and motivation levels and the gender differences in online learning settings. This study was conducted in two distinct phases. A game-based and traditional online quizzing tools were used to compare levels of engagement and motivation, as well as to assess the additional parameter of gender difference. During the first phase of the study, 276 male and female undergraduate students were recruited from Sophomore Seminar classes, and 101 participated in the survey, of which 83 were male and 18 were female. In the second phase, 126 participants were recruited, of which 107 (63 females and 44 males) participated in the anonymous feedback surveys. The results revealed that digital game-based learning has a more positive impact on student engagement and motivation compared to traditional online activities. The incorporation of a leaderboard as a gaming element in the study was found to positively impact the academic performance of certain students, but it could also demotivate some students. Furthermore, female students generally showed a slightly higher level of enjoyment toward the games compared to male students, but they did not prefer a comparison with other students as much as male students did. The favorable response from students toward digital game-based activities indicates that enhancing instruction with such activities will not only make learning an enjoyable experience for learners but also enhance their engagement. Full article

Dopamine is a well-known neurotransmitter due to its involvement in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dopamine is not only involved in PD but also controls multiple mental and physical activities, such as the pleasure of food, friends and loved ones, music, art, mood, cognition, motivation, fear, affective disorders, addiction, attention deficit disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Dopaminergic neurons (DOPAn) are susceptible to stressors, and inflammation is a recognized risk for neuronal malfunctioning and cell death in major neurodegenerative diseases. Less is known for non-neurodegenerative conditions. Among the endogenous defenses, bilirubin, a heme metabolite, has been shown to possess important anti-inflammatory activity and, most importantly, to prevent DOPAn demise in an ex vivo model of PD by acting on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα). This review summarizes the evidence linking DOPAn, inflammation (when possible, specifically TNFα), and bilirubin as an anti-inflammatory in order to understand what is known, the gaps that need filling, and the hypotheses of anti-inflammatory strategies to preserve dopamine homeostasis with bilirubin included. Full article

Creating and maintaining stable, happy intimate relationships is a right every individual has. Previous research has shown that people with disabilities are at risk of building unsatisfactory partner relationships. The aim of the study was to ascertain the beliefs of students with disabilities concerning their motives for starting families and, in regard to potential partners, their tolerance for risky life experiences and the personal qualities accepted. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2847 university students in southeastern Poland. It was found that the following motives for entering into a permanent relationship were considered more important by students with disabilities than they were by students without disabilities: enhancement of self-esteem (p = 0.001), high economic potential of a partner (p = 0.007) and a shared system of values and interests (p = 0.036). Love (p = 0.031) and the mental qualities (p = 0.010) of a partner were considered less important by students with disabilities than they were by students without disabilities. Moreover, students with disabilities are far more likely than students without disabilities to accept disability (p < 0.001) in potential partners. They are also significantly more willing to enter into relationships with people who have risky life experiences, even in the form of violence against previous life partners (p < 0.015) and children (p = 0.001), addiction to alcohol (p < 0.001) or drugs (p = 0.01) and the resulting treatment, and those having served time in prison (p = 0.034). Educational and institutional support for students with disabilities should be intensified with regard to partner selection being satisfactory to both partners. Full article

Love addiction is a dysfunctional relational modality that takes on the addiction characteristics and which, for the individuals who suffer from it, can have a negative and pervasive impact on various areas of functioning. The objective of this research was the analysis the factors that can be associated with love addiction, particularly focusing on adult attachment patterns and self-esteem. A sample group of 300 individuals who declared themselves to have a romantic relationship was involved in this research (M_age = 37.83 years, SD = 12.937). They completed an online survey including the Love Addiction Inventory—Short form, Relationship Questionnaire, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results showed significant and positive associations between preoccupied and fearful adult attachment and love addiction. Furthermore, these relationships were totally mediated by self-esteem. Gender and age were controlled as potential covariates and showed significant effects in influencing the levels of self-esteem and love addiction. Such findings may provide useful information for orienting future research and supporting an effective clinical practice. Full article

Śrī Nāth is one of the most important images of Krishna being worshipped at the temple of Nathdwara in Rajasthan. His devotees consider him to be a living god, he appears in their dreams, and according to their sayings they are in direct contact with him. Śrī Nāth, originally a local deity, is equated with the major Hindu god Krishna. However, while Krishna may be one of the most important gods in India, he is also ambiguous through his acts and words, if not bluntly unreliable. This double nature of Krishna is reflected in the cult of Śrī Nāth. There is an interesting interaction between Śrī Nāth (implying Krishna himself), the main gurus of his cult, i.e., Vallabha (Vallabhācārya) and the latter’s son and main successor Viṭṭhalnāth and his devoted disciples. At times, Śrī Nāth feels the need to stick to the official Brahmanical cult of the temple rituals, on other occasions, there is no problem in transgressing any given official rule. The same is true for the primary teachers, who are often put on par with Krishna himself or one of the celestials closely connected to him. Additionally, the disciples can apparently do anything in their frenzies. All of this reinforces the idea that this entire cult belongs to another world (alaukik). It is part of the everyday world (laukik) of Hindu India, but meanwhile, each and every rule can be ignored if the supernatural breaks through. Even the distinction between Hinduism and Islam at times simply does not seem to be of importance anymore. Muslims can become addicted to the passionate love for Krishna through the form of Śrī Nāth, so it is sometimes stated. Each and every partaker in the cult may share the visions of the initiated devotee, at times even without proper initiation. This all adds to the experience of the supermundane and supernatural in this particular cult. Full article

Caregivers remain the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for human beings in our current society. Family caregivers provide 11 to 100 h of care per week to their loved ones, including emotional and social support, assistance with transportation, home care, and so on. However, caregivers find the workload challenging due to fatigue, burnout, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, and sometimes also from an excessive burden. Caregiver burden and stress ultimately negatively affect family members and caregivers. The caregiver is then at risk of developing deleterious physical, psychological, social, and emotional problems such as mood and anxiety disorders. Mobile health applications (mHealth applications) can be a solution to help family caregivers care for their loved ones and also for themselves. In this study, we present the development of an mHealth application for caregivers of persons with substance use and tested its usability. We used a user-centered design and intervention (UCDI) approach to develop the app by conducting a focus group with parents of individuals with addiction problems. Four key themes were identified during the focus group: (i) information section, (ii) self-care section, (iii) how-to: stress-reduction section, and (iv) chat section. The final app was developed with the software vendor and divided into several sections that were useful for managing psychological problems (such as stress or anxiety), informing about addiction and behavioral dependency problems, and helping users find a professional or services nearby. An analysis of the results of a usability test related to the app administered to a subsample of the focus group showed that the app provided ease of use, usefulness, and satisfaction. Full article

Context: The care of adults with intellectual disabilities is marginalized and rarely studied in Poland. In recent years, this issue has gained particular importance, partly due to the increasing life expectancy of people with ID. This paper presents a study of the function of informal caregivers for adults with ID, comprising parents who provide regular, constant, physical and emotional support and assistance with everyday activities to their adult children. Due to cultural and institutional conditions, Polish society sets high expectations for families regarding the care of their dependent members. Social policy also mainly promotes informal care, with formal care only being supported to a very limited extent. The state delegates responsibility, including financial responsibility, to families. With the rapid aging of society, this situation poses great challenges. Methods: This study was conducted in the Łodź region of Poland; it used a qualitative approach, and a semi-structured interview was performed using the narrative elements technique. The main goal of the research was to understand the situation of caregivers to adults with an intellectual disability by identifying thematic categories in the respondents’ statements. The analysis of the qualitative data content made it possible to capture and present the participants’ personal perspectives on significant issues connected with their function in the context of providing care to an adult with an intellectual disability. A total of 12 interviews were conducted. The age of the respondents (caregivers) was 51–82 years old, and the individuals they were caring for were between 20 and 49 years old. Results: Based on the materials collected, 13 thematic categories and subcategories were identified, along with illustrative examples. The main categories concerned everyday functioning, health, uncertainty, relationships with others, feelings, time, and the macro level. For each category, subcategories were distinguished and illustrated by the respondents’ statements. The categories and subcategories were not completely distinct; sometimes they overlapped or complemented one another. Conclusions: For the majority of the respondents, the care of an adult with an intellectual disability had a negative effect on their well-being. As a consequence, they performed their caregiver’s role at the expense of their own lifestyle. Noticeable themes included “addiction” to caregiving, psychophysical fatigue, and the needs and difficulties resulting from this being “ignored” by the commonly understood social environment (including state institutions). Thus, the care of dependent adults with ID should be viewed on a broad human spectrum, that is, in consideration of the unique situation of those who remain under permanent care provided by family members, those who live alone, and those whose loved ones try to combine caregiving with their own private lives. This is becoming all the more important, as the number of seniors with intellectual disabilities will continue to grow in the coming decades. Full article

I describe “spiritual” addiction as a felt compulsion to seek surrogates in the absence of that spirit of unconditional love underlying core personality change. We awaken to a “real” world akin to a prison in which all sides seem morally compromised, so any choice seems to necessitate sacrificing our conscientious relationship to the truth. Thus, spiritual addiction runs deeper than physical and psychological addictions to include socially accepted “addictions” to all we associate with “success”—including our morality and religion. All that we seek may be grounded in a collectively imbibed prejudice toward truth itself. If so, such a prejudice, underlying spiritual addiction, compromises our will, reason, feelings, actions, and character—including all of our relationships. It underlies the reality of a collective moral crisis which, we show, is more deeply a religious crisis tempting us to doubt the reality and attainability of that unconditional love that provides a foundation for hope. To overcome the prejudice underlying spiritual addiction, we show how unconditional love can be realized by placing conscientiousness in the foreground of concern as we are guided by the most reliable moral and spiritual witnesses in our history distinct from any religious group claiming to speak in their name. Full article

Background: Emotional dependency in couples involves excessive and dysfunctional emotional bonding. Aims: This work aimed to determine the relationship between violence, jealousy, and ambivalent sexism according to emotional dependence in adolescent student couples. Methods: A cross-sectional study. A total of 234 Spanish adolescents (69.7% female, M_age = 16.77, SD = 1.11) participated in the study. Participants completed an ad hoc interview and several validated tests (Partner’s Emotional Dependency Scale, the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, the Jealousy subscale of the Love Addiction Scale, the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationship Inventory). Results: Of the sample, 40.6% indicated high emotional dependence and 14.5% extreme emotional dependence. Differences were observed according to gender (t = 3.92, p < 0.001), with adolescent boys scoring higher than adolescent girls. Extremely emotionally dependent participants showed differences in both violence (sexual, relational, verbal, and physical) and ambivalent sexism (hostile, benevolent) and jealousy scores. Generating a predictive model of emotional dependence, with the variable jealousy and ambivalent sexism as predictor variables, it was found that jealousy has the greatest predictive and major explanatory capacity (R² = 0.297); with an R² = 0.334. However, the contribution of the ASI-Hostile subscale was not significant when the ASI-Benevolent subscale was introduced into the model. Further, in a second model where the scores on jealousy and the couple conflict inventory’s subscales were considered as predictors, are again jealousy makes the greatest predictive contribution and shows the greatest explanatory capacity (R² = 0.296). It was found that the contribution is significant only for the predictive capacity of Sexual Violence and Relational Violence. In this sense, the educational context is one of the propitious places to detect and correct behaviors that may be indicative of potentially unbalanced and unbalancing relationships for adolescents. Full article

We devise a theoretical model to shed light on the dynamics leading to toxic relationships. We investigate what intervention policy people could advocate to protect themselves and to reduce suffocating addiction in order to escape from physical or psychological abuses either inside family or at work. Assuming that the toxic partner’s behavior is exogenous and that the main source of addiction is income or wealth we find that an asymptotically stable equilibrium with positive love is always possible. The existence of a third unconditionally reciprocating part as a benchmark, i.e., presence of another partner, support from family, friends, private organizations in helping victims, plays an important role in reducing the toxic partner’s appeal. Analyzing our model, we outline the conditions for the best policy to heal from a toxic relationship. Full article

Climate scientists have sounded the alarm: The only way to preserve a planet that is generally habitable for human beings is to carry out a transformation of society at a rate and scale that are historically unprecedented. Can we do this? Will we do this? Drawing on her long-term recovery from addiction and on her decades of ministry as a climate activist, the author reflects on how understanding the dynamics of addiction and recovery might inform our efforts to protect the web of life and to bear witness to the liberating God of love who makes all things new. Full article