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The Case of Poland: Encouraging Human Geography through Lesbian Studies

Author(s): Marta Olasik / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2019

Keywords: geographies of sexualities; human geography; lesbian studies; sociology of culture; Poland

What follows is a direct transcription of the conference paper that I gave during the very prestigious Annual International Conference 2018 of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). It took place at the Cardiff University, Wales, UK, on 28-31 of August, 2018. I gave this presentation within the very same panel session that I organised together with Kath Browne from the Maynooth University in Dublin, Ireland, and Catherine J. Nash from the Brock University in Canada. Our session, which I was also honoured to chair, was titled Engaging Contemporary Sexual-Gendered Realities: Geographies of Feminisms, Sexualities, and Beyond. Five presentations were part of the panel, including mine. The 20-minute paper was fortified with a Power-Point presentation, which, of course, is irrelevant to the purposes of the transcription herein. Even though I have decided to keep the title of this transcription in compliance with the title of that presentation, its potential and meaning is much greater. Thinking of a proper academic article that I could develop based on that paper, I would probably make it a point to emphasise the significance of the intersections between sociology and geography, and how they affect my local ambitions to introduce (into the Polish academia) geographies of sexualities on the one hand and interdisciplinary lesbian studies on the other. The paper presented below reflects on the implications of this experience and stance of mine.

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The role of executive function deficits, delay aversion and emotion dysregulation in internet gaming disorder and social media disorder: Links to psychosocial outcomes

Author(s): Lorrayne Soares,Lisa B. Thorell,Martina Barbi,Giulia Crisci,Sissela B. Nutley,Jonas Burén / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: internet gaming disorder; social media disorder; neuropsychological functions; psychosocial problems; mental health

Background and aims. It has been argued that it is important to consider underlying mechanisms of mental health problems. Previous studies have shown that executive deficits, delay aversion, and emotion dysregulation are related to Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Social Media Disorder (SMD). However, the present study is the first to investigate whether these neuropsychological deficits show additive effects or if they interact. The present study also investigated whether these deficits mediate the association between IGD/SMD and psychosocial outcomes. Methods. The study involved 995 university students who completed a survey measuring IGD/SMD symptom severity, neuropsychological functions, and psychosocial outcomes. Both dimensional and categorical analyses were used to assess the associations between neuropsychological functions and IGD/SMD. Simple and multiple mediation analyses were conducted to examine if neuropsychological functioning mediates the association between IGD/SMD and psychosocial outcomes. Results. All neuropsychological functions were significantly associated with both IGD and SMD symptom severity. However, only inhibition and emotion regulation, as well as delay aversion for SMD, remained significant when controlling for the overlap between different functions. Associations were significantly stronger for men compared to women for IGD. In the categorical analyses, individuals with IGD/SMD were more likely to have neuropsychological deficits (odds ratios between 3.33 and 8.81). Finally, all neuropsychological functions, except inhibition, were significant mediators in the link between IGD/SMD and psychosocial outcomes. Discussion and conclusions. These results shed light on the neuropsychological underpinnings of IGD/SMD, which can be used to identify more homogenous subgroups and provide more individualized treatment options.

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Development, psychometric validation, and cross-cultural comparison of the “Instagram Motives Questionnaire” (IMQ) and the “Instagram Uses and Patterns Questionnaire” (IUPQ)

Author(s): Silvana Melissa Romero Saletti,Stephan Van den Broucke,Joël Billieux / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Instagram; youths; motives; patterns of use; consequences; psychometric study; cross-cultural study; measurement invariance

Background and aims. Social network use is widespread, and the study of Instagram seems to have captured more attention in recent years. However, scale development and validation in the field has fallen short of providing sound scales of Instagram motives and usage patterns that consider the uniqueness of Instagram-related behavior. This paper describes the development, psychometric and cross-cultural validation of two new measurement instruments: the “Instagram Motives Questionnaire” (IMQ) and the “Instagram Uses and Patterns Questionnaire” (IUPQ). Methods and results. A preliminary set of items was developed for each questionnaire based on a previous qualitative interview study on Instagram motives, uses, and consequences. In the first study, the questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 312 participants aged 18–35 years (M = 23.81; SD = 4.49), and an exploratory factor analysis was performed. A parsimonious and interpretable 6-factor solution that displayed adequate factor loadings and adequate Omega coefficients for both instruments were found. In a second study, the two instruments and other measures of known social network usage correlates and mental health consequences were administered online to 1,418 English-speaking participants aged 18–34 years (M = 21.35; SD = 3.89). Both scales showed good psychometric properties and the factor structure identified in study 1 was reproduced through confirmatory factor analysis. Omega reliability coefficients were adequate. Finally, when performing multi-group CFA along with a French (n = 1,826) and a Spanish (n = 3,040) sample, language and gender invariance were supported. Correlations with other relevant measures indicate good convergent validity of both scales. Conclusions. The present research provides psychometrically sound instruments for further investigations on Instagram use behaviors.

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Bridging the links between Big Five personality traits and problematic smartphone use: A network analysis

Author(s): Chang Liu,Kristian Rotaru,Xufeng Liu,Wei Yang,Ye Li,Xinyi Wei,Murat Yücel,Lucy Albertella / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Big Five personality traits; network analysis; problematic smartphone use

Background. Existing research has demonstrated that problematic smartphone use (PSU) may reflect a composition of heterogeneous symptoms, with individual PSU symptoms uniquely related to predisposing variables. The Big Five personality traits represent one of the most frequently examined predisposing variables in relation to PSU. However, no studies to date have examined the trait-to-symptom association between the Big Five personality traits and PSU. Using a network analysis approach, we aimed to understand: 1) specific pathways linking each of the Big Five personality traits to PSU symptoms and 2) the bridging effects of each Big Five personality trait on the PSU symptom cluster. Methods. A regularised graphical Gaussian model was estimated among 1,849 Chinese university students. PSU symptoms were assessed with items from the Problematic Smartphone Use Scale. Facets of the Big Five personality traits were assessed with the subscales of the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15. An empirical index (i.e., bridge expected influence) was used to quantify bridge nodes. Results. Results revealed specific and distinct pathways between the Big Five personality traits and PSU symptoms (e.g., Neuroticism-Escapism/Avoidance, Conscientiousness-Preoccupation and Extraversion-Escapism/Avoidance). Further, Neuroticism showed the highest positive bridge centrality among the Big Five personality traits, while Conscientiousness had the highest negative bridge centrality. Discussion and conclusions. The current study provided direct empirical evidence concerning specific pathways between the Big Five personality traits and PSU symptoms and highlighted the influential role of Neuroticism and Conscientiousness as potential targets for early detection and treatment of PSU.

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Problem gaming-related harm experienced by partners and parents of individuals with gaming problems and their help-seeking experiences

Author(s): Carolin SZÁSZ-JANOCHA,Michaela Magann,Hannah Gold,Katajun LINDENBERG,Paul H. Delfabbro,Daniel L. King / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: gaming disorder; harm; parents; partners; help-seeking; treatment

Background and aims. Limited research has investigated how individuals' problem gaming affects significant others. The present study investigated the extent to which partners and parents were personally affected by their partner or child's problematic gaming behavior and what steps, if any, were taken in relation to treatment and other help-seeking by the gamers and the respondents themselves. Methods. Two targeted samples (parents, n = 104; partners, n = 264) in Australia were recruited and administered an online survey. The survey assessed gaming-related harm across multiple domains, including financial, relationship, emotional wellbeing, physical health and work/study. Treatment and help-seeking questions referred to seeking psychological assistance, self-help, and community support. Non-parametric tests compared groups on harm measures based on GD status. Results. Parents and partners of individuals rated in the ‘problem gaming’ range reported significantly greater harms compared to those in the at-risk and non-problem categories. The most frequently endorsed harms were in the relationship domain, including neglected household responsibilities, withdrawal from social events, and relationship conflict. Some parents consult with friends and family (15%) to resolve their child's gaming-related problems. Partners reported to seek outside support and assistance for themselves, including 30% who sought a psychologist. No partners reported having consulted a psychologist for their gaming partner. Discussion. Problem gaming affects significant others across multiple life areas, but few seek outside help or support, suggesting there may be significant unmet needs. Conclusions. Further research should examine factors that influence acceptance and engagement with problem gaming help options. Harm indicators may be useful for evaluating targeted interventions and other measures to reduce problem gaming.

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A latent profile approach for classifying internet gamers based on motives for online gaming

Author(s): Bin-Na Kim,Hyo Shin Kang,Jungkyu Park / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: internet gaming addiction; gaming motives; neuroticism; impulsivity; latent profile analysis

Background and aims. Online gaming motives have proven to be useful in differentiating problematic engagement in online gaming. However, the mixture modeling approach for classifying problematic subtypes based on gaming motives remains limited. This study attempted to differentiate heterogeneous online gamers into more homogenous subtypes based on gaming motives using latent profile analysis (LPA). We also compared various psychological and gaming/leisure related variables across the derived profiles. Methods. A total of 674 Korean online game users (mean age = 21.81 years, male = 76%) completed self-report questionnaires, including the Korean version of the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (K-MOGQ). After the LPA, the relationships between latent profile membership and auxiliary variables were explored. Results. Four latent profiles were identified, that were further classified into one problematic (highly motivated-dissatisfied gamer), one highly engaged (highly motivated-satisfied gamer), and two casual (moderately-motivated casual gamer and lowly-motivated casual gamer) gamer profiles. Inter-profile comparisons revealed that highly motivated-dissatisfied gamer had the most pathological profile, characterized by high Internet gaming disorder (IGD) tendency, neuroticism, and impulsivity, but the lowest recreation motive. While highly motivated-satisfied gamer also demonstrated a heightened IGD tendency, they showed positive patterns of psychological and gaming/leisure-related variables, which indicated they could be better considered as high engaged instead of problematic gamers. Discussion and conclusions. These results indicate that the recreation motive, in addition to fantasy or escape motives, is an important factor in differentiating maladaptive online gamers. Classifying online gamers based on gaming motives can contribute to a clearer conceptualization of heterogeneous gamers, paving the way for individualized assessment and treatment planning.

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The impact of life satisfaction in the treatment of gaming disorder and other internet use disorders: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Author(s): Kai W. Müller,Michael Dreier,Manfred E. Beutel,Christian Ruckes,Anil Batra,Karl Mann,Michael Musalek,Klaus Wölfling / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: gaming disorder; internet use disorders; life satisfaction; randomized controlled trial; personality traits

Objective. According to ICD-11 gaming disorder is currently defined as a behavioral addiction. While our understanding of crucial aspects of this new condition including other subtypes of internet use disorders is growing, less is known about treatment strategies and their effectiveness. Particularly, dimensions of life satisfaction and their meaning for internet use disorders are poorly investigated. The aim of this study was addressing the role of life satisfaction dimensions in a randomized controlled trial. We examined life satisfaction as an additional treatment outcome and investigated in how far life satisfaction is predictive for symptom reduction and related to personality traits. Methods. A multicenter randomized controlled trial with three measure points (baseline, post-treatment, 6-month follow-up) was conducted based on N = 143 patients aged 17 and above meeting diagnostic criteria for internet use disorders. A cognitive-behavioral disorder specific intervention was applied in n = 72 and compared to a wait list control (n = 71). Endpoints included symptoms of internet use disorders, psychosocial functioning, and life satisfaction. Personality traits were assessed as moderating factors. Results. Life satisfaction (η2 = 0.106) and health satisfaction (η2 = 0.173) significantly increased in the intervention group with large effect sizes. Decreasing symptoms of internet use disorders at follow-up were predicted by life satisfaction at post-treatment (ß = −0.51) with extraversion (B = 1.606) and openness (B = 2.069) moderating this association. Conclusion. Life satisfaction yields additional value as a secondary treatment outcome in internet use disorders and can be therapeutically addressed in order to stabilize treatment effects in the long run. Our study indicates that existing treatment strategies might benefit from explicitly addressing and enhancing psychosocial resources in order to prevent relapses in patients.

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Efficacy of a novel online integrated treatment for problem gambling and tobacco smoking: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Author(s): Van Bui,Christian Baumgartner,Elena Bilevicius,Lana Vedelago,Vanessa Morris,Tyler Kempe,Michael P. Schaub,Sherry H. Stewart,James MacKillop,David C. Hodgins,Jeffrey D. Wardell / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: problem gambling; tobacco smoking; integrated treatment; cognitive behavioural therapy; motivational interviewing; online; self-help

Background and aims. Problem gambling and tobacco use are highly comorbid among adults. However, there are few treatment frameworks that target both gambling and tobacco use simultaneously (i.e., an integrated approach), while also being accessible and evidence-based. The aim of this two-arm open label RCT was to examine the efficacy of an integrated online treatment for problem gambling and tobacco use. Methods. A sample of 209 participants (Mage = 37.66, SD = 13.81; 62.2% female) from North America were randomized into one of two treatment conditions (integrated [n = 91] or gambling only [n = 118]) that lasted for eight weeks and consisted of seven online modules. Participants completed assessments at baseline, after treatment completion, and at 24-week follow-up. Results. While a priori planned generalized linear mixed models showed no condition differences on primary (gambling days, money spent, time spent) and secondary outcomes, both conditions did appear to significantly reduce problem gambling and smoking behaviours over time. Post hoc analyses showed that reductions in smoking and gambling craving were correlated with reductions in days spent gambling, as well as with gambling disorder symptoms. Relatively high (versus low) nicotine replacement therapy use was associated with greater reductions in gambling behaviours in the integrated treatment condition. Discussion and conclusions. While our open label RCT does not support a clear benefit of integrated treatment, findings suggest that changes in smoking and gambling were correlated over time, regardless of treatment condition, suggesting that more research on mechanisms of smoking outcomes in the context of gambling treatment may be relevant.

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Unambiguous evidence that over half of gambling problems in Australia are caused by electronic gambling machines: Results from a large-scale composite population study

Author(s): Matthew Browne,Paul H. Delfabbro,Hannah Thorne,Catherine Tulloch,Matthew J. Rockloff,Nerilee Hing,Nicki A. Dowling,Matthew Stevens / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: gambling; gambling problems; gambling harm; electronic gaming machines; gambling policy; harm minimisation

Background and aims. It is well understood that engagement with some forms of gambling, like EGMs, is riskier than other forms. However, while reports of associations are common, few studies have attempted to evaluate and compare the relative risk of all available forms, and none have estimated the relative contribution of each form to the total burden of gambling problems (GP) in a population. Methods. Using an aggregated dataset of national and state-based prevalence studies in Australia (N = 71,103), we estimated prevalence and unique effects of frequency of engagement on each form on GP. Two alternative numerical methods were then applied to infer the relative contribution of each form to the total amount of GP. Results. EGMs are responsible for 51%–57% of gambling problems in Australia, and 90% of gambling problems are attributable to EGMs, casino, race, and sports betting. Casino table games and EGMs are equally risky at the individual level, but the former contribute far less to problems due to low participation. Bingo and lottery play show no statistically detectable risk for GP. Discussion and conclusion. The results illustrate which forms present the greatest population burden and illuminate the reasons why. EGMs have an outsized impact. EGM uniquely combines high risk conditional on play, with a high participation rate and a high frequency of play among participants. This is in contrast to risky but less commonly played casino games, and prevalent but non-risky forms like lotteries. We conclude that EGM regulation should be a primary focus of policy action in Australia. More innovative policy ideas relating to EGMs should be tested due to the disproportionate impact of this product type.

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Childhood use of coin pusher and crane grab machines, and adult gambling: A conceptual replication of Newall et al. (2021)

Author(s): Alberto Parrado-González,Philip W. S. Newall / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: underage gambling; youth gambling; child gambling; disordered gambling; penny falls machine

Background and aims. Youth gambling research mainly focuses on the illegal use of age-restricted machines, but coin pusher and crane grab machines are gambling machines that can be used by people of any age in the UK, and are also in use internationally. Previous cross-sectional evidence has associated recollected childhood usage of these machines with adult gambling participation and levels of problem gambling amongst adult gamblers. We attempted to conceptually replicate the findings of one of these studies (Newall et al., 2021), while addressing some limitations of that study. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 2,000 UK-based and -born participants aged 19–24 years. The measures were participants' recollected usage of coin pusher and crane grab machines as a child, whether they had gambled in the past 12-months or not, and the PGSI for past 12-month gamblers. Results. Overall, 5 of 7 tested associations were significant and in the hypothesized direction. Logistic regression models showed that adult gamblers were more likely to recollect using, and used at higher levels of frequency, coin pusher and crane grab machines, than non-gamblers. Then, negative binomial regression analysis showed that adults who recollected using crane grab machines at higher levels of frequency showed more gambling-related problems. Discussion and Conclusions. These results suggest that childhood usage of coin pusher and crane grab machines may act as an underappreciated risk factor for the development of gambling-related harm across the lifespan. This information may be considered for further youth gambling research and policy.

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The associative learning roots of affect-driven impulsivity and its role in problem gambling: A replication attempt and extension of Quintero et al. (2020)

Author(s): Ismael Muela,José M. Ventura-Lucena,Juan F. Navas,José C. Perales / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: emotion regulation; positive urgency; negative urgency; gambling; craving; predictive learning task

Background and aims. Negative/positive urgency (NU/PU) refers to the proneness to act rashly under negative/positive emotions. These traits are proxies to generalized emotion dysregulation, and are well-established predictors of gambling-related problems. We aimed to replicate a previous work (Quintero et al., 2020) showing NU to be related to faulty extinction of conditioned stimuli in an emotional conditioning task, to extend these findings to PU, and to clarify the role of urgency in the development of gambling-related craving and problems. Methods. 81 gamblers performed an acquisition-extinction task in which neutral, disgusting, erotic and gambling-related images were used as unconditioned stimuli (US), and color patches as conditioned stimuli (CS). Trial-by-trial predictive responses were analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLME). Results. PU was more strongly related than NU to craving and severity of gambling problems. PU did not influence acquisition in the associative task, whereas NU slightly slowed it. Extinction was hampered in individuals with high PU, and a follow-up analysis showed this effect to depend on relative preference for skill-based and casino games. Discussion and conclusions. Results suggest that resistance to extinction of emotionally conditioned cues is a sign of malfunctioning emotion regulation in problematic gambling. In our work, the key effect was driven by PU (instead of NU), and gambling craving and symptoms were also more closely predicted by it. Future research should compare the involvement of PU and NU in emotion regulation and gambling problems, for gamblers with preference for different gambling modalities (e.g., pure chance vs skill games).

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Spatial attention to social information in poker: A neuropsychological study using the Posner cueing paradigm

Author(s): Elodie Hurel,Marie Grall-Bronnec,Elsa Thiabaud,Juliette Leboucher,Maxime Leroy,Gaélle Challet-Bouju / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: poker, neuropsychology; social information processing; Posner cueing paradigm; gambling; inhibition of return

Background and aims. This research aimed to characterize social information processing abilities in a population of regular nondisordered poker players compared to controls. Methods. Participants completed the Posner cueing paradigm task including social cues (faces) to assess attention allocation towards social stimuli, including the effect of the presentation time (subliminal vs supraliminal) and of the emotion displayed. The study included two groups of participants: 30 regular nondisordered poker players (those who played at least three times a week in Texas Hold'em poker games for at least three months) and 30 control participants (those who did not gamble or gambled less than once a month, whatever the game). Results. The group of regular nondisordered poker players displayed an enhancement of the inhibition of return during the Posner cueing task. This means that in valid trials, they took longer to respond to the already processed localization in supraliminal conditions compared to controls. However, our results did not evidence any particular engagement or disengagement attention abilities toward specific types of emotion. Discussion and. Conclusions. These results suggest that regular nondisordered poker players displayed social information processing abilities, which may be due to the importance to efficiently process social information that can serve as tells in live poker. The observed enhancement of the inhibition of return may permit poker players to not process a localization that has already processed to save attentional resources. Further research regarding the establishment of the IOR in other forms of gambling and with non-social cues needs to be performed.

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Gambling and COVID-19: Swedish national gambling data from a state-owned gambling sports and casino operator

Author(s): Marianne Balem,Anna Karlsson,Carolina Widinghoff,Bastien Perrot,Gaélle Challet-Bouju,Anders Hakansson / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: COVID-19; gambling disorder; gambling tracking data; online gambling

Background and aims. The lockdown of sports and gambling venues during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a fear of increased gambling on other online gambling types, with a risk for transfer to more addictive gambling than otherwise. This study aimed to estimate changes in gambling activity during COVID-19-affected periods among all gamblers at a Swedish state-owned gambling operator and to analyse observable sex differences. Methods. This study included gambling tracking data from the Swedish state-owned gambling operator Svenska Spel Sports & Casino (sports betting, online bingo, casino and poker). All individuals (n = 616,245) who gambled at least once from February 10 to July 19, 2020, were included. The study period was divided into four periods according to their expected level of COVID-19 impact on gambling opportunities: one pre-COVID period and three COVID-affected periods (sports cancellation, emerging return of sports, substantial return of sports). Results. Sports betting experienced an apparent decrease, followed by a gradual normalization and an end level substantially below prepandemic levels. For online bingo, gambling levels increased upon sports interruption and then decreased with the return to normality in sports events but remained higher than baseline levels. We observed a similar trend for online poker during the interruption of sports, but with a lower level than baseline levels when sports events normalized. We noticed a trend favouring online casinos during the sports interruption period regarding gambling intensity but not wagering levels. Discussion and conclusions. Dramatic changes in the content of the gambling market may divert some gamblers to other gambling types, but maintained effects could not be demonstrated.

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Assessing compulsive sexual behavior disorder: The development and international validation of the compulsive sexual behavior disorder-diagnostic inventory (CSBD-DI)

Author(s): Joshua B. Grubbs,Rory C. Reid,Beáta Böthe,Zsolt Demetrovics,Eli Coleman,Neil Gleason,Michael H. Miner,Johannes Fuss,Verena Klein,Karol Lewczuk,Mateusz Gola / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: behavioral addiction; hypersexuality; sexual addiction; impulse control disorders; scale development

Background and aims. The World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) includes Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), a new diagnosis that is both controversial and groundbreaking, as it is the first diagnosis to codify a disorder related to excessive, compulsive, and out-of-control sexual behavior. The inclusion of this novel diagnosis demonstrates a clear need for valid assessments of this disorder that may be quickly administered in both clinical and research settings. Design. The present work details the development of the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Diagnostic Inventory (CSBD-DI) across seven samples, four languages, and five countries. Setting. In the first study, data were collected in community samples drawn from Malaysia (N = 375), the U.S. (N = 877), Hungary (N = 7,279), and Germany (N = 449). In the second study, data were collected from nationally representative samples in the U.S. (N = 1,601), Poland (N = 1,036), and Hungary (N = 473). Findings. Across both studies and all samples, results revealed strong psychometric qualities for the 7-item CSBD-DI, demonstrating evidence of validity via correlations with key behavioral indicators and longer measures of compulsive sexual behavior. Analyses from nationally representative samples revealed residual metric invariance across languages, scalar invariance across gender, strong evidence of validity, and utility in classifying individuals who self-identified as having problematic and excessive sexual behavior, as evidenced by ROC analyses revealing suitable cutoffs for a screening instrument. Conclusion. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the cross-cultural utility of the CSBD-DI as a novel measure for CSBD and provide a brief, easily administrable instrument for screening for this novel disorder.

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Treatment effects and adherence of sexually compulsive men in a randomized controlled trial of psychotherapy and medication

Author(s): Marco De Tubino Scanavino,Alia Garrudo Guirado,João Miguel Marques / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: compulsive sexual behavior; randomized clinical trial; group psychotherapy; treatment effects; psychodynamic

Background. Little attention has been given to efficacious treatment and adherence to treatment of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). Aims. Randomized controlled trial investigated short-term psychodynamic group therapy followed by relapse prevention group (STPGP-RPGT) and pharmacological treatment (PT) for CSB men on sexual compulsivity and adherence. Method. 135 men, 38 (SD = 9) years old on average, were randomly assigned to 1) STPGP-RPGT; 2) PT; 3) Both. Participants completed measures at baseline, 25th, and 34th week. 57 (42.2%) participants dropped out between baseline and 25th week, and 68 (50.4%) between baseline and 34th week. 94 (69.6%) did not adhere (80% pills taken or attended 75% therapy sessions). Results. A significant interaction effect was found between time and group (F (4, 128) = 2.62, P = 0.038, ES = 0.08), showing who received PT improved less in sexual compulsivity than those who received STPGP-RPGT (t = 2.41; P = 0.038; ES = 0.60) and PT + STPGP-RPGT (t = 3.15; P = 0.007, ES = 0.74). Adherent participants improved more in sexual compulsivity than non-adherent at the 25th week (t = 2.82; P = 0.006, ES = 0.65) and 34th week (t = 2.26; P = 0.027, ES = 0.55), but there was no interaction effect, F (2, 130) = 2.88; P = 0.06; ES = 0.04). The most reported behavior (masturbation) showed greater risk of non-adherence (72.6%). Discussion and conclusions. Adherent participants improved better than non-adherent. Participants who received psychotherapy improved better than those who received PT. Methodological limitations preclude conclusions on efficacy.

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NORMATIVE STATECRAFT: THE EU SANCTIONS POLICY ON RUSSIA’S ANNEXATION OF CRIMEA

Author(s): Halil DELIGÖZ / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Economic statecraft; EU sanctions; EU Global Strategy; great power rivalry; Crimea;

The instruments of economic statecraft have been utilized increasingly in the face of geopolitical challenges. The EU’s response to the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 was to impose sanctions. This paper analyses the EU as a normative sanctioning power in the context of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 until the start of the Russia-Ukraine War on February 24, 2022. In its Global Strategy, the EU mentioned sanctions as a credible tool in the Union’s foreign policy mix. Following David A. Baldwin’s economic statecraft conceptualisation, this article argues that, in various contingencies, economic statecraft might constitute a credible option, especially if the potential perils of military statecraft in a nuclear world are considered. The EU sanctions after the annexation of Crimea functioned at least for two purposes: first, the EU successfully conveyed its messages to Russia and the wider international community that what Russia committed was not approved. Although this message could be conveyed verbally diplomatically, as done by many international actors, the EU’s message was supported with relatively credible instruments compared to ineffective verbal declarations. Secondly, the EU committed itself through the sanctions on the Ukrainian cause. Thus, this paper argues that although economic statecraft cannot be considered a cure for all the vagaries of geopolitical challenges, it has proved to be an essential part of the policy mix of a containment strategy upon the annexation of Crimea.

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GEOGRAPHY, REGION, SPACE: THE EVOLUTION AND REFLECTION OF GEOPOLITICAL THEORY

Author(s): Rong Kang BO / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: geopolitical evolution; geographical environment; nation-al development model;

This paper compares the development of geopolitical theories and divides them into three categories according to their characteristics: offensive, defensive, and normative. Time is a dimension that must be considered in any theory. This paper argues that geospatial characteristics and national development methods determine the changes in geopolitical competition, and force's effectiveness is an intervention variable. The three variables lead to the evolution of geopolitical theory from conflict to defence to institutional cooperation. The emergence of virtual spaces such as the Internet has changed the contradiction between limited geographical space and unlimited national development in geo-competition and provided an opportunity for geopolitical theory to break through power theory. The complexity of the geo-environment that countries face when participating in geo-competition determines the necessity of establishing a united geopolitical view. This paper divides a country's diplomatic environment into three categories: geo-environment, regional environment, and space environment. Distinguishing these three environments can help to think about the focus of a country's foreign strategy. The country must make a difference in the geo-environment, be active in the regional environment, and work hard in the space environment.

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WHAT IS IT TO BE ‘NATIONAL’?: EXAMINING NATIONAL (IN)SECURITY, NATIONAL IDENTITY, AND ALTERNATE IMAGINATIONS IN INDIA

Author(s): Mansoor Ashraf / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Nationalism; National Security; Identity Politics; South Asia; India; Regionalism; Rising Powers; Democracy;

Strong overarching states have always characterised South Asia. A post-colonial democratic India has been no different. Other than that, of a top-down ‘nationalist’ idea which is an inherently exclusive project, it seems to securitise and consider any other collective sensibility as a threat. It does so because of its insecurities and lingering cartographic anxiety. The paper argues that alternate imaginations can and do co-exist with national imaginations, but the Indian ‘nation-state’ has had problems with such imaginations. The paper seeks to locate and critically analyse such nationalist insecurities and the multiplicity of alternate imaginations of Pan-South Asianism, sub-nationalisms, other such regionalisms and cosmopolitanisms and their complex interactions in every day India. The paper employing critical discourse analysis explores how popular alternate imaginations co-exist with, contest, resist, or negotiate with the ‘national’ identity. Without assuming people to be readily more cosmopolitan, it looks at how people respond to the over-arching state and its articulation in the everyday - whether they readily accept the ‘manufactured’ picture or go beyond. It also explores the question of whether such articulations have a differential impact in certain sites and spatialities, especially in the socio-political and geographical margins. Essentially, it asks whether alternate imaginations have to always come at the cost of the loss of nationalist imagination or does it have more to do with how that nationalist imagination gets articulated. The question begs whether popular imaginations have to be necessarily constrained within the ‘container’ of the ‘national’. The paper concludes that top-down national integration that constructs other sensibilities readily as threats en route a more homogenised national identity creates more problems than what it is purported to solve.

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BANGLADESH’S EVOLVING BALANCING STRATEGY: FROM TWO-WAY TO THREE-WAY?

Author(s): Mufassir Rashid,Nishat Tasnim,Aishwarya Sanjukta Roy PROMA / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Balancing; Bangladesh Foreign Policy; Soft-Balancing; Three-Way balancing; Indo-Pacific Strategy;

Bangladesh has followed a balancing approach in its external relations historically. Over the last five decades, the balancing behaviour has undergone qualitative change due to Bangladesh’s evolving national interest and power dynamics. Bangladesh has been striking a balance between India and China for a while now. However, the situation has changed since the announcement of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the revival of QUAD and the inking AUKUS pact. To counter the growing Chinese presence, a US stake has become visible in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. As a result, Bangladesh is now directly balancing the interests of three superpowers, India, China, and the USA. Existing literature cannot explain this new balancing scenario. This paper aims to explain Bangladesh’s evolving balancing strategy. To do so, this paper will look at Bangladesh’s foreign policy from a historical perspective and focus on the latest development in the Indo-Pacific region. To overcome the limits of existing literature, this paper will attempt to develop a new balancing framework, Three-Way Balancing. This paper will also focus on how Bangladesh can maintain its tradition of neutrality amid heated geopolitics between these three states. This paper will follow a qualitative approach and analyse secondary literature.

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ONLINE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IN ROMANIA’S ELECTIONS (2016-2020). A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Author(s): Ștefan Maroșan / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: social media; political party; electoral campaign; Romania;

The extent that social media has taken in the last decade in building social life (information, interaction, and group-building) has allowed political parties to interact directly with voters during political campaigns. This article focuses on how the literature has chosen to analyse the involvement of politics in social media during the electoral campaigns in Romania in the period 2016-2020. Based on a systematic literature review, this study aims to identify possible new perspectives for analysing election campaigns in social media.

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