Author
Gregory B. Bovasso
Bio: Gregory B. Bovasso is an academic researcher from University of Pennsylvania. The author has contributed to research in topics: Predictive validity & Population. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 13 publications receiving 960 citations.
Papers
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TL;DR: In participants with no baseline depressive symptoms, those with a diagnosis of cannabis abuse at baseline were four times more likely than those with no cannabis abuse diagnosis to have depressive symptoms at the follow-up assessment, after adjusting for age, gender, antisocial symptoms, and other baseline covariates.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study sought to estimate the degree to which cannabis abuse is a risk factor for depressive symptoms rather than an effort to self-medicate depression. METHOD: Participants (N=1,920) in the 1980 Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study who were reassessed between 1994 and 1996 as part of a follow-up study provided the data. The analysis focused on two cohorts: those who reported no depressive symptoms at baseline (N=849) and those with no diagnosis of cannabis abuse at baseline (N=1,837). Symptoms of depression, cannabis abuse, and other psychiatric disorders were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. RESULTS: In participants with no baseline depressive symptoms, those with a diagnosis of cannabis abuse at baseline were four times more likely than those with no cannabis abuse diagnosis to have depressive symptoms at the follow-up assessment, after adjusting for age, gender, antisocial symptoms, and other baseline covariates. In particular, these participants were more...
410 citations
TL;DR: Researchers and treatment providers within the Delaware Valley Node surveyed 317 staff members concerning their beliefs about addiction treatment, finding more than 80% of respondents supported increased use of research-based innovations, 12-step/traditional approaches, and spirituality in addiction treatment.
178 citations
TL;DR: Drug offenders who satisfied DSM-IV criteria for antisocial personality disorder achieved more weeks of urinalysis-confirmed drug abstinence when assigned to more frequent judicial status hearings, whereas subjects without APD achieved more abstinence and were more likely to graduate successfully from the program when assign to less frequent hearings.
96 citations
01 Apr 2003
TL;DR: In participants with no baseline depressive symptoms, those with a diagnosis of cannabis abuse at baseline were four times more likely than those with no cannabis abuse diagnosis to have depressive symptoms at the follow-up assessment, after adjusting for age, gender, antisocial symptoms, and other baseline covariates.
Abstract: Objective: This study sought to estimate the degree to which cannabis abuse is a risk factor for depressive symptoms rather than an effort to self-medicate depression. Method: Participants (N=1,920) in the 1980 Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study who were reassessed between 1994 and 1996 as part of a follow-up study provided the data. The analysis focused on two cohorts: those who reported no depressive symptoms at baseline (N=849) and those with no diagnosis of cannabis abuse at baseline (N=1,837). Symptoms of depression, cannabis abuse, and other psychiatric disorders were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Results: In participants with no baseline depressive symptoms, those with a diagnosis of cannabis abuse at baseline were four times more likely than those with no cannabis abuse diagnosis to have depressive symptoms at the follow-up assessment, after adjusting for age, gender, antisocial symptoms, and other baseline covariates. In particular, these participants were more ...
80 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors tested the predictive validity of 6 of the 7 Composite Scores (CSs) of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) in 310 methadone maintenance patients assessed at treatment entry using the ASI and other measures, and followed for 2 years.
Abstract: The current research tested the predictive validity of 6 of the 7 Composite Scores (CSs) of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) in 310 methadone maintenance patients assessed at treatment entry using the ASI and other measures, and followed for 2 years. Logistic regression was used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the CSs at intake in predicting their respective validity criterion measures at follow up. Except for the Medical CS, each of the other 5 CS measures significantly predicted its validity criterion measure. The CSs measuring drug use, alcohol abuse, psychopathology, and legal problems had high specificity (88% [corrected] for the Drug CS, 91% for the Alcohol CS, 96% for the Legal CS, and 100% for the Psychological CS). The CSs measuring employment problems had high sensitivity (76%). The results support the predictive validity of most of the ASI CSs as measures of specific problems as well as the validity of the multidimensional construct on which the ASI is based.
75 citations
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TL;DR: There is now sufficient evidence to warn young people that using cannabis could increase their risk of developing a psychotic illness later in life, although evidence for affective outcomes is less strong.
2,057 citations
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of studies that have attempted to longitudinally predict a specific STB-related outcome suggests the need for a shift in focus from risk factors to machine learning-based risk algorithms.
Abstract: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are major public health problems that have not declined appreciably in several decades. One of the first steps to improving the prevention and treatment of STBs is to establish risk factors (i.e., longitudinal predictors). To provide a summary of current knowledge about risk factors, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies that have attempted to longitudinally predict a specific STB-related outcome. This included 365 studies (3,428 total risk factor effect sizes) from the past 50 years. The present random-effects meta-analysis produced several unexpected findings: across odds ratio, hazard ratio, and diagnostic accuracy analyses, prediction was only slightly better than chance for all outcomes; no broad category or subcategory accurately predicted far above chance levels; predictive ability has not improved across 50 years of research; studies rarely examined the combined effect of multiple risk factors; risk factors have been homogenous over time, with 5 broad categories accounting for nearly 80% of all risk factor tests; and the average study was nearly 10 years long, but longer studies did not produce better prediction. The homogeneity of existing research means that the present meta-analysis could only speak to STB risk factor associations within very narrow methodological limits-limits that have not allowed for tests that approximate most STB theories. The present meta-analysis accordingly highlights several fundamental changes needed in future studies. In particular, these findings suggest the need for a shift in focus from risk factors to machine learning-based risk algorithms. (PsycINFO Database Record
2,013 citations
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: The self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders derives primarily from clinical observations of patients with substance use disorders as mentioned in this paper, who discover that the specific actions or effects of each class of drugs relieve or change a range of painful affect states.
Abstract: The self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders derives primarily from clinical observations of patients with substance use disorders. Individuals discover that the specific actions or effects of each class of drugs relieve or change a range of painful affect states. Self-medication factors occur in a context of self-regulation vulnerabilities--primarily difficulties in regulating affects, self-esteem, relationships, and self-care. Persons with substance use disorders suffer in the extreme with their feelings, either being overwhelmed with painful affects or seeming not to feel their emotions at all. Substances of abuse help such individuals to relieve painful affects or to experience or control emotions when they are absent or confusing. Diagnostic studies provide evidence that variously supports and fails to support a self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders. The cause-consequence controversy involving psychopathology and substance use/abuse is reviewed and critiqued. In contrast, clinical observations and empirical studies that focus on painful affects and subjective states of distress more consistently suggest that such states of suffering are important psychological determinants in using, becoming dependent upon, and relapsing to addictive substances. Subjective states of distress and suffering involved in motives to self-medicate with substances of abuse are considered with respect to nicotine dependence and to schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder comorbid with a substance use disorder.
1,907 citations
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: The suboptimal compliance to vaccinations continues to be a major public health problem and the number of children receiving vaccinations is on the rise.
Abstract: Background: The suboptimal compliance to vaccinations continues to be a major public health problem.
936 citations