Dinska Van Gucht

Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale.

The objective of the present study was to construct and validate a short-form version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Two Dutch samples were used to construct and cross-validate the factorial structure of a 12-item Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). The SCS-SF was then validated in a third, English sample. The SCS-SF demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha ≥ 0.86 in all samples) and a near-perfect correlation with the long form SCS (r ≥ 0.97 all samples). Confirmatory factor analysis on the SCS-SF supported the same six-factor structure as found in the long form, as well as a single higher-order factor of self-compassion. The SCS-SF thus represents a reliable and valid alternative to the long-form SCS, especially when looking at overall self-compassion scores.

Counterconditioning reduces cue-induced craving and actual cue-elicited consumption.

Cue-induced craving is not easily reduced by an extinction or exposure procedure and may constitute an important route toward relapse in addictive behavior after treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of counterconditioning as an alternative procedure to reduce cue-induced craving, in a nonclinical population. We found that a cue, initially paired with chocolate consumption, did not cease to elicit craving for chocolate after extinction (repeated presentation of the cue without chocolate consumption), but did so after counterconditioning (repeated pairing of the cue with consumption of a highly disliked liquid, Polysorbate 20). This effect persisted after 1 week. Counterconditioning moreover was more effective than extinction in disrupting reported expectancy to get to eat chocolate, and also appeared to be more effective in reducing actual cue-elicited chocolate consumption. These results suggest that counterconditioning may be more promising than cue exposure for the prevention of relapse in addictive behavior.

Return of experimentally induced chocolate craving after extinction in a different context: divergence between craving for and expecting to eat chocolate.

Unlike in fear conditioning, little attention has been devoted to extinction and renewal in appetitive conditioning, despite its relevance for extinction-based addiction treatments. We developed a paradigm, using a specific tray as a conditioned stimulus (CS) for eating chocolate (unconditioned stimulus, US), to investigate the effects of context change on acquisition and extinction of conditioned chocolate craving using an ABA renewal design. In Study 1 (n=32), participants successfully acquired chocolate craving, but unlike what is commonly observed in fear conditioning, craving did not extinguish. In Study 2, we separately assessed craving and US expectancy in a between-subjects design (n=64). US-expectancy data showed acquisition, extinction and renewal in the ABA group. The craving data did not follow this pattern, suggesting different mechanisms for craving and US expectancy. Similarities and differences between craving and US expectancy, as well as practical implications, are discussed.

Conditioned craving cues elicit an automatic approach tendency

In two experiments, we used a Pavlovian differential conditioning procedure to induce craving for chocolate. As a result of repeated pairing with chocolate intake, initially neutral cues came to elicit an automatic approach tendency in a speeded stimulus-response compatibility reaction time task. This automatic approach tendency, moreover, seemed to be sensitive to manipulations of extinction and renewal in the Pavlovian conditioning procedure. These findings corroborate and extend previous reports of automatic approach tendencies elicited by substance-relevant cues in addiction, while controlling for alternative accounts for such observations. Moreover, our data lend support to and extend learning models of cue-induced craving and addiction. Finally, we argue that the procedure we present here provides an ecologically valid behavioural tool that allows studying processes involved in cue-induced craving, addiction and relapse without relying on verbal report.

Smoking behavior in context: Where and when do people smoke?

Cue-reactivity research in humans has primarily focused on proximal cues, but little is known about the role of distal cues, such as environments and situations, in cue-reactivity. The aim of this study was to get an overview of contexts in which people smoke and to assess the relationship between contexts and smoking urges. Moderately addicted Belgian smokers (N = 110) recorded each smoked cigarette during four days and described the place and situation and the feeling they experienced when starting to smoke. The data demonstrate that different contexts were related to differences in the amount of craving and enjoyment that was experienced. Finally, differences in (amount of) contexts could be predicted by the level of nicotine dependence. These results are relevant for conceptualizing and optimizing smoking addiction treatments.

Repeated cue exposure effects on subjective and physiological indices of chocolate craving.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of repeated unreinforced exposure to chocolate cues in persons reporting chocolate craving. Participants in the experimental group (n=40) received 10 consecutive brief exposures to chocolate cues in each of two sessions, separated by 1-3 days. Control participants (n=18) received two exposures at the start and end of each session. Chocolate craving was measured (alternately) through subjective report and the amount of saliva secretion to chocolate cues. Results showed a between-sessions decrease in both craving measures in the experimental group, whereas no differences in craving between sessions were observed in the control group. These results provide evidence for the effects of cue exposure treatment in chocolate craving.

The inertia of conditioned craving. Does context modulate the effect of counterconditioning

Previous research (Van Gucht, Baeyens, Vansteenwegen, Hermans, & Beckers, 2010) showed that a cue, initially paired with chocolate consumption, did not cease to elicit craving for chocolate after extinction, but did so after counterconditioning (CC). CC moreover was more effective than extinction in changing evaluations, in disrupting reported cue-elicited expectancy to get to eat chocolate, and in reducing actual consumption. The present research aimed to investigate whether the advantage of CC over extinction in changing acquired craving and liking would survive a change in context after CC. One group of participants received acquisition, CC and a final test all in the same context A (AAA-COUNTER-group). A second group received CC in a different context B (ABA-COUNTER-group). To compare the degree of any renewal after CC to renewal after extinction, a third group received extinction rather than CC in context B (ABA-EXT-group). Data indicate that a context switch after CC/extinction (ABA-groups) results in a return of cue-elicited approach tendencies and US-expectancies that were reduced or reversed after CC/extinction (renewal). As before, acquired liking is reduced only through CC, not by an extinction procedure. After CC in a different context, a return to the original acquisition context did not renew liking.

The Dutch version of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS): Psychometric properties and factor structure

In a community sample of 402 respondents, the authors examined the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS; Kanter, Mulick, Busch, Berlin, & Martell, 2006). Results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the original 4-factor structure, providing the following subscales: Activation, Avoidance/Rumination, Work/School Impairment, and Social Impairment. All subscales showed adequate internal consistency, evidence of convergent validity with concurrent measures of depressive symptoms, rumination, psychological flexibility, and avoidance behavior, and evidence of differential validity between currently, formerly, and never depressed respondents.

Online Vape Shop Customers Who Use E-Cigarettes Report Abstinence from Smoking and Improved Quality of Life, But a Substantial Minority Still Have Vaping-Related Health Concerns

(1) Background: Characteristics and usage patterns of vapers (e-cigarette users) have mainly been studied in web-based convenience samples or in visitors of brick-and-mortar vape shops. We extended this by targeting customers of one particular online vape shop in the Netherlands; (2) Methods: Customers were questioned on their smoking history, current smoking and vaping status, reasons for vaping, perceived harmfulness, and potential health changes due to vaping; (3) Results: Almost everyone (99%, 95% CI 0.96, 1.00) smoked before they started vaping. A great majority agreed that unlike with other smoking-cessation aids, they could quit smoking (81%, 95% CI 0.79, 0.90) due to vaping. Almost all customers were regular vapers (93.6%, 95% CI 0.89, 0.96) who used state-of-the-art open system devices without modifications and e-liquid with 10 mg/mL nicotine on average. Vapers reported using e-cigs to quit smoking, because e-cigs are healthier, and for financial reasons. The majority (52.6%, 95% CI 0.46, 0.60) perceived vaping as not that harmful to not harmful at all, but one fifth (21.8%, 95% CI 0.16, 0.28) believed vaping to be harmful. More than half (57.8%, 95% CI 0.50, 0.65) reported gaining more pleasure from vaping than from smoking. A substantial majority (84.2%, 95% CI 0.78, 0.89) agreed that their health had improved since they started vaping; (4) Conclusions: Findings are similar to those obtained in other vape shop studies, but also to the results of convenience samples of less-well-defined populations.

Differences between Dual Users and Switchers Center around Vaping Behavior and Its Experiences Rather than Beliefs and Attitudes

(1) Background: Many smokers completely switch to vaping (switchers), whereas others use e-cigarettes (e-cigs) alongside tobacco cigarettes (dual users). To the extent that dual users substantially lower the number of cigarettes, they will reduce health risks from smoking. However, from a medical point of view, exclusive vaping is preferable to dual use; (2) Methods: Using an online questionnaire we assessed behavioral, cognitive and attitudinal aspects of e-cig use in smoking and ex-smoking vapers; (3) Results: Our sample consisted of 19% dual users and 81% switchers. Before e-cig initiation, both groups smoked on average 22 cigarettes per day (CPD). After e-cig initiation, dual users decreased tobacco consumption by 82% and were low-to-moderately cigarette dependent. Both groups had been vaping for on average 22 months, were highly e-cig dependent, used state-of-the-art e-cigs, nicotine concentrations of 4–8 mg/mL and often flavors other than tobacco. Dual users used substantially less e-liquid per week than switchers but reported a similar number of puffs/day, experienced less e-cig efficacy, more practical problems, more negative and less positive consequences, and endorsed smoking reduction (rather than quitting) as a more important reason to start vaping. For both groups, e-cig risk perception was low and little stigmatization was experienced. Dual users preferred tobacco cigarettes in stressful situations and when rapid nicotine uptake is required. E-cigs were preferred where cigarettes are prohibited and to reduce second-hand smoke; (4) Conclusions: Differences between dual users and switchers center around variables proximal to the vaping behavior and its experienced effects rather than hinging on more general vaping-related beliefs and attitudes.