Neuroscience in Social Work Practice and Education

Abstract

In the past two decades, advances in neuroscience research have revolutionized the scientific community's understanding of branehavior connections. Social work is now taking note of this trend. Specialists in substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring diagnoses are beginning to relinquish long-held beliefs in mind-body dualism in favor of a truly integrated biopsychosocial understanding. This article identifies challenges related to social work and argues that neurobiological knowledge is essential for a biopsychosocial understanding of substance abuse and addiction, other mental disorders, co-occurring conditions, and human behavior. It gives examples of drawing on neurobiological knowledge for practice applications. These include educating users, families, and providers about neurobiological aspects of substance abuse (psychoeducation); using neuroscience research on mental illness and addiction to develop integrated approaches for dually diagnosed persons; and considering a range of medication options to alleviate cravings and reduce relapse.     

What Neurobiology has to Say About Why People Abuse Alcohol and Other Drugs

Abstract

Four major hypotheses have been formulated to address the issue of why some people develop compulsive use of particular drugs. These hypotheses include: (1) Drugs that are abused sensitize the motivational systems of the brain such that the behavioral routines for acquisition of the drug become compulsive, (2) Drugs that are abused stimulate the pleasure centers in the brain, (3) People who abuse drugs are naturally in an aversive state that their drug use enables them to escape, and (4) Drugs of abuse are associated with aversive withdrawal phenomena which can be elicited by conditioned stimuli, therefore people continue to take drugs to avert conditioned withdrawal states. This paper examines each of these hypotheses in light of research findings from neurobiology.     

The role of cognitive distortion in online game addiction among Chinese adolescents

The aim of the present study was to examine the role of cognitive distortions in the development of on-line game addiction among Chinese adolescents. In Study 1, the sample comprised 495 adolescents aged 12 to 19 who recruited from two middle schools in Guangzhou, China. They were administered questionnaires relating background variables, the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS) and Online Game Cognitive Addiction Scale (OGCAS). In Study 2, Twenty eight adolescents with excessive on-line game play recruited from a local mental hospital were randomly divided into to a CBT group (N = 14) and a clinical control group (N = 14). Measures of severity of on-line game playing, anxiety, depression, and cognitive distortions were assessed on baseline and after the 6 week intervention. Results of the present study showed that rumination and short-term thinking were the most predictors of online game addiction, and all-or-nothing thinking predict online game addiction at marginal significant levels. Males are at a greater risk of developing online game addiction than do females. CBT and basic counseling had different treatment effects on the all-or-nothing thinking scores, online comfort scores and short-term thinking scores, SDS scores and SAS scores. Interestingly, CBT and basic counseling had similar treatment effects on IAS scores and OGCAS scores. Applications of these findings to etiological research and clinical treatment programs are discussed.     

大学生网络成瘾的原因分析及差异化防治策略

大学生网络成瘾问题的出现是诸多因素影响的结果。目前,大学生网络成瘾的类型主要有网络游戏成瘾、网络色情成瘾、网络交际成瘾等类型。本文就大学生网络成瘾的各种类型的产生原因进行分析,并在此基础上提出相对应的差异化防治策略,以期提高解决大学生网络成瘾问题的有效性和针对性。     

西南联大时期刘文典解聘事件再思考

刘文典被西南联大解聘事件,在当时和后世都产生了较大的影响,但是,长期以来学界对其中的原因可谓是众说纷纭。本文通过详解刘文典被解聘事件的经过,分析西南联大管理层对此事的态度,并剖析刘文典、闻一多两人的思想性格以及刘文典吸食鸦片烟的不良嗜好对该事件的影响等,力图借此窥探到历史的些许面貌。     

Pathological Gambling and Treatment Outcomes for Adults Age 50 or Older in Methadone Maintenance Treatment

This study examined the relationship of pathological gambling to negative treatment outcomes for methadone maintenance patients aged 50 or older. The study included 130 methadone maintenance patients. Pathological gambling was determined using the Lie-Bet, a screen for pathological gambling; the outcomes were remaining in treatment and negative urine screens for drug use. Twenty percent of the sample identified as pathological gamblers. Pathological gambling was unrelated to remaining in treatment or negative urine screens. Although pathological gambling had no adverse influence on these treatment outcomes, the prevalence of pathological gambling suggests that screening for it may provide insights about other concerns.     

Inuit Elderly: A Systematic Review of Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Over the last century, Inuit have experienced rapid social changes that have greatly impacted their way of life, health, and intergenerational traditions. Although there is a growing body of research concerning Inuit youth, relatively little is known about elderly Inuit. In an effort to bridge this knowledge gap, a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles was conducted. This review identified a dearth of research on older Inuit, and highlighted limitations in service provision to this primarily rural and isolated population. Implications for policy and practice and recommendations for future research are also discussed.     

Substance Use and Mental Health Severity Among LGBTQ Individuals Attending Minnesota Model-Based Residential Treatment

This administrative data analysis examined substance use and mental health severity among a sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals receiving residential treatment for an alcohol or drug use disorder. LGBTQ were statistically compared to heterosexual patients on a number of variables, including frequency and amount of pretreatment alcohol use, frequency of pretreatment illicit drug use, co-occurring Axis I mental health diagnoses, and past history of physical or sexual abuse. LGBTQ patients exhibited significantly greater severity on nearly all variables, suggesting a strong relationship between clinical severity and being a sexual minority. This study also found a relationship between patient gender and the pattern of differences between LGBTQ and heterosexual patients. These results replicate and extend those of studies examining LGBTQ in the general population and suggest opportunities for development of alcohol/drug treatment approaches that address the unique needs of LGBTQ.     

Protecting Children

Abstract

In this study, difficulties that women with alcohol problems and victimization experiences might have protecting their children from victimization were investigated. Mothers of children (ages 3-17) were recruited from a longitudinal study of women, alcohol problems, and victimization; women came from alcohol treatment programs, battered women's shelters, mental health clinics, drinking and driving programs, and a random household sample. Hypothetical parenting scenarios were constructed to assess mothers' ability to protect their children from victimization trauma. Women's responses to the scenarios were analyzed thematically and coded. Next, coded responses were analyzed quantitatively to identify significant differences among women with past alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, current AOD problems, and no AOD problems. Women with current AOD problems were more likely than women with no AOD problems and women with past AOD problems to provide aggressive responses to scenarios. Women with past AOD problems were more likely than their non-addicted counterparts to perceive sexual abuse as a possibility, to attribute responsibility for the problem to the other participant only (seeing no role for their child), and to seek information about what happened from the other participant only. Findings suggest that some interpersonal problem-solving difficulties resolve when women become sober while others persist into recovery, potentially affecting women's ability to protect their children.