Complaints about sleep and sleepiness are widespread and are closely associated with dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, disturbed sleep hygiene and anxiety-depressive experiences (Perlis et al., 2011, Riemann et al., 2017, Sateia et al., 2017), however, the specific role and interactions of these factors are understudied.

The aim was to reveal the relationship between cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors of subjective sleep quality, sleepiness and typical patterns of nighttime sleep in the normative sample.

224 people 18-47 years old without diagnosed sleep disorders answered questions about their sleep patterns, filled in the Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (Morin, 1993), Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disorders Scale (Rasskazova, 2020), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Johns, 1991), Glasgow Thought Content Inventory (Harvey, Espie, 2004), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond, Snaith, 1983).

The poorer subjective quality of sleep is predicted by more dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, cognitive arousal and disturbed sleep hygiene (R2=45.1%). The negative effect of cognitive arousal on sleep quality is higher in people with sleep hygiene disturbances (ΔR2=1.4%, p<.05). Only disturbance of sleep hygiene is a predictor of sleep duration, sleepiness and the experience of insufficient sleep (R2=9.9%-12.2%), while cognitive arousal (R2=23.4%) and (in people with higher sleep hygiene disturbances, ΔR2=3.5%, p<.01) negative emotions predict poorer sleep efficacy.

Both relationship between cognitive arousal and poorer subjective sleep and relationship between anxiety, depression and poorer sleep efficacy are stronger in people with poorer sleep hygiene. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740.

Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740

High prevalence of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and poor sleep hygiene in population (Perlis et al., 2011, Riemann et al., 2017) allow suggesting (Rasskazova, Tkhostov, 2012) a socially determined low value of sleep relative to other activities and demands.

The aim was to reveal the role of the relative value of sleep and subjective quality of sleep in people without sleep disorders.

172 participants 18-62 years old without diagnosed sleep disorders answered three items about their relative sleep value, filled Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (Morin, 1993), Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disorders Scale (Rasskazova, 2020) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond, Snaith, 1983)

56.3% -65.3% participants tend to neglect sleep for the sake of other activities in conflictual situation independent on gender and age. Sleep neglect is associated with poorer subjective sleep indirectly – through poor sleep hygiene, depressive emotions and postponement of the time to get up in the morning (β=.02-.09; 95%CI [.01-.17]). High value of healthy sleep is associated with poorer sleep quality if it leads to higher dysfunctional sleep beliefs and sleep rituals (indirect effects β=.04-.16; 95%CI [.01-.23]), but with better sleep quality if it leads to better sleep hygiene in the evening and less delay in getting up in the morning (β=-.04 - -.02; 95%CI [-.08-.00]).

Relative value of sleep might play a different role in the sleep regulation depending on which long-term beliefs, emotions, and behaviors it provokes. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740.

Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740

COVID-19 pandemic has many psychological and physical effects. University students are among vulnerable population.

We aimed in this study to assess sleep effects of COVID-19 pandemic on university students in Saudi Arabia.

We conducted cross-sectional study to collect responses of 5,140 participations from Saudi universities, responders completed the demographic questions, psychological scales including insomnia severity scale (ISI) between 24th and 30th of April 2020.

About 41% of the sample suffered from moderate to severe insomnia. Mean ISI score was 12.9 (SD 6.62). Insomnia was associated with female gender, younger age, students from new universities, junior students, if a relative got COVID-19, having a chronic medical illness, and having a psychiatric disorder.

Covid-19 pandemic has clear effect on sleep among Saudi university students. Universities need to plan and implement protective and intervention strategies to deal with this important issue.

No significant relationships.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that associates multiple psychiatric symptoms and disorders, like depression, neurocognitive impairment, sleeping disorders, etc. Insomnia is frequently detected in this population, with a prevalence of over 50% according to several studies.

To present a case series dedicated to the treatment of insomnia in patients diagnosed with PD, who did not meet diagnostic criteria for any other psychiatric disorder.

A number of three patients (2 male, one female, mean age 65.2 years) diagnosed with PD, were evaluated for insomnia. They were all initiated on quetiapine XR 50 mg QD, and up-titrated according to the individual response. All these patients were undergoing treatment for their neurological disease, which remained stable for the next 3 months. A structured clinical evaluation was performed monthly, and safety measurements were also performed. All patients self-evaluated their insomnia severity on a 10-point visual analogic scale (VAS).

After 3 months, patients reported a favorable evolution of their insomnia- VAS score improved significantly to baseline (from 7.3 to 3.3), without significant adverse events (metabolic parameters and QTc values did not change significantly during the treatment period). Daytime sleepiness was not reported as being significant by any of these patients. The mean dose of quetiapine XR used was 75 mg QD (50-150 mg QD), and the mean duration of the needed treatment for insomnia was 8.3 weeks (4-11 weeks).

Quetiapine XR could be useful in patients with PD-related insomnia, and the mean dose is usually below 100 mg QD.

No significant relationships.

Somnambulism or sleepwalking could be explained by dysfunction in the regulation of slow-wave sleep. It may be caused by drugs; in the literature, cases of somnambulism that occurred by olanzapine and lithium have been reported.

Discuss the association between somnambulism and Hydroxyzine.

We will discuss the case of a patient with bipolar disorder treated with olanzapine and lithium who experienced episodes of somnambulism after adding Hydroxyzine.

A 42-year-old woman, with no history of somnambulism, followed in our department for a bipolar disorder type 1, treated with 750 mg of lithium and 20 mg of olanzapine. During her usual control, she reported insomnia Hydroxyzine was added at the dose of 50 mg. At the next medical appointment, she said that her husband had noticed that she waked up at night and she eats, she ambulates and searches things. Episodes that the patient did not remember. She was tranferd to the neurolgic departement. She did a neurological exam, an electroencephalogram, and a brain scan, witch were normal. The polysomnography confirmed the diagnosis. The neurologist retained the diagnosis of somnambulism induced by Hdroxizine regarding the chronology of the symptoms. The somnambulism ceased after stopping Hydroxyzine.

Lithium and olanzapine were associated with the occur of somnambulism, but hydroxyzine had never been reported as a somnambulism drug inducing. Drug interaction may explain this phenomenon.

No significant relationships.

Up to 10% of the US adult population will experience chronic insomnia, with women and elderly individuals at particularly high risk. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the core treatment for insomnia. When cognitive behavioral therapy is not enough, medications can help patients overcome the barriers and learned behaviors that prevent a good night’s sleep.

Through this research we aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of new drugs in the treatment of insomnia.

We try to do a Bibliographic Review in PubMed using keywords like “insomnia” “new hypnotic drugs” and “effectiveness”

Patients receiving trazodone perceived better sleep quality than those receiving the placebo with a non-significantly moderate heterogeneity. As to secondary efficacy outcomes, we only found a significant reduction for trazodone in the number of awakenings compared to the placebo. Trazodone was effective in sleep maintenance by decreasing the number of early awakenings and it could significantly improve perceived sleep quality, although there were no significant improvements in sleep efficiency or other objective measures. Importantly, lemborexant improves latency to sleep onset and sleep maintenance and is able to help people who experience early morning awakenings. Safety data reveal that lemborexant has minimal residual effects on morning alertness or next day function.

Unfortunately, treatment of insomnia is not always that simple. The disorder’s complex underlying pathophysiology warrants consideration of different nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options. Indeed, recent insights gained from research into the pathophysiology of insomnia have facilitated development of newer treatment approaches with more efficacious outcomes.

No significant relationships.

Workplace conditions have a documented effect on employee health including sleep. Occupational stress and burnout are more frequent among penitentiary personnel than the general population.

The aim of the current study was to examine the phenomenon of insomnia and its relationship with occupational burnout in a sample of Polish prison officers.

The study was carried out on a sample of Polish prison officers using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI).

showed that the Polish prison officers exhibited early symptoms of insomnia. Sleep disorders had a significant role in developing occupational burnout. Coping strategies such as help-seeking and engagement were revealed to have a mediating role in the relationship between insomnia and occupational burnout dimensions. The coping strategy of help-seeking was the only predictor of insomnia.

The results can constitute a significant argument for health promotion campaigns highlighting sleep hygiene directed at penitentiary personnel. A research model created for the purposes of future studies would allow for measuring the frequency of health behaviors, including the general category of preventive behaviors. The study warrants continuation.

No significant relationships.

The first stage of the psychological intervention is related to diagnostics

Purpose of the study was to explore features of mental self-regulation processes in patients with diagnosis “Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol”.

The study involved 39 male patients with alcohol dependence, the average age of 43.6 ± 6 years. The experimental group (20 patients) was taking part in in-patient rehabilitation program, the duration of rehabilitation ranged 4-6 months. The control group included 19 patients of the in-patient addiction treatment department, with average duration of treatment 21 days. To assess self-regulation processes, questionnaires “Style of behavior self-regulation” (Morosanova V.) and questionnaire of volitional self-control (Zverkov A., Eydman E.) were used. To compare differences between two independent groups Mann-Whitney U-test was used

There was a significant difference for the subscale “Persistence and perseverance” in “Volitional self-control” test (p≤0.05) for the control and experimental groups. Patients, involved in clinical rehabilitation program, have higher ranks comparing to patients got clinical treatment (22.2 and 17.7). The comparison of the results of the questionnaire “Style of behavior self-regulation” showed that there is a significant difference for subscales “Modeling of significant conditions” and “Independence” (p≤0.05); participants from the experimental group had higher mean rank in both cases.

Patients who took part in the long-term in-patient rehabilitation program had more stable motivation to achieve their goals, better self-regulation and activity planning skills, higher independence and self-confidence, they were less dependent on opinion of others. The identified features can be used in psychological programs aimed at improving planning skills, reducing behavioral rigidity, stabilizing self-esteem and improving adaptive capacity.

No significant relationships.

The 15-method: a new brief intervention tool for alcohol problems in primary care, has shown promising results in Sweden for mild to moderate alcohol use disorders.

To evaluate the 15-method’s usability, organizational integration, and overall implementation feasibility in Danish general practice (GP) in preparation for a large-scale evaluation of the method’s effectiveness in identifying and treating alcohol problems in GP.

In the Central and Southern Region of Denmark, five general practices participated: seven doctors and eight nurses. Participants received half a day of training in the 15-method. Testing of implementation strategies and overall applicability ran for two months. A focus group interview, two individual interviews with the participating doctors, and five individual patient interviews concluded the study phase.

indicate that implementation of the 15-method is feasible in Danish general practice. The healthcare professionals and patients were optimistic about the method and its possibilities. The method was considered a new patient-centred treatment offer and provided structure to a challenging topic. An interdisciplinary approach was much welcomed. Results indicate that the method is ready for large-scale assessment.

Implementation of the 15-method is considered feasible in Danish general practice, and large-scale evaluation is currently being planned. The results from the present feasibility study, and an overview of the large-scale evaluation, will be presented at the conference.

No significant relationships.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of severe heatwaves, storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. These events cause widespread economic and social disruption and are undermining population health worldwide. Despite a growing literature on how climate change threatens mental health, its influence on harmful substance use has not been systematically addressed.

We propose an explanatory framework explicating the plausible links between climate change-related stressors and an increase in harmful substance use.

We critically review and synthesise literature documenting the pathways, processes and mechanisms linking climate change to increased substance use vulnerability.

Several plausible pathways link climate change to increased risk of harmful substance use worldwide. These include: (1) anxiety about the impacts of unchecked climate change, (2) destabilisation of psychosocial and economic support systems, (3) increasing rates of mental disorders, and (4) increased physical health burden. Children may face disproportionate risk due to their vulnerability to both mental disorders and substance use, particularly during adolescence. We argue that a developmental life-course perspective situated within a broader ‘systems thinking’ approach provides a coherent framework for understanding how climate change is aggravating the multiple, persistent, interacting risks that influence harmful substance use pathways.

Climate change is already undermining health and wellbeing of global populations. By inference, it is also aggravating pathway to harmful substance use. This is a critical psychosocial problem for individuals and communities alike. Conceptual and methodological work is urgently needed so that effective adaptive and preventive action can be taken.

No significant relationships.

Today, a number of researchers consider the problem of addictive behavior as one of the most global problems for Kazakhstan and Russia. Some scientists consider CBT to be the most effective way to work with addictions. In our country there are no scientific works devoted to the study of addictive beliefs, so we decided to conduct such a study.

The Objective of the study was to identify the characteristic addictive beliefs of drug addicts with different type of addiction: opioids and synthetic cathinones (designer drugs called “salts”, “bath salts”).

Questionnaire of addictive beliefs by A, Beck, questionnaire of beliefs about cravings by A. Beck and F. Wright, clinical interview. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for data processing.

People with opioid addiction are more likely to believe that their lives will become more depressive if they stop using drugs (p= 0.0347); that drug use is the only way to cope with pain in their life (p= 0.0347) and that they cannot cope with anxiety without drugs (p=0.009). Respondents who use synthetic psychostimulants endorse to believe that addiction is not a problrm for them (p= 0.0358).

Having categorized these beliefs in accordance with A. Beck’s classification, we came to the conclusion that “relief-oriented beliefs” are more typical for people who use opiates. The motive for use is often the desire to alleviate a negative emotional or physical state. For people using psychostimulants “salt”, “anticipatory beliefs” are more characteristic - the desire to experience euphoria and pleasant experiences.

No significant relationships.

We have been using LAB (Buvidal) in Cardiff after its pandemic use was funded by Welsh Government.

We wished to review the benefits of introducing LAB (Buvidal) into treatment during the pandemic.

This service development review of the first 73 patients treated with LAB (24mg/96mg rapid titration Welsh protocol) was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

43 (58%) male, 30 (41%) female. <25years=1, 38 (52%) aged 25-40, 34 (47%) 40-55. Prior to LAB 14% (10 people) using Espranor, 8% (6) Buprenorphine, 28% (20) Methadone. 50% (36) illicit opiates (mainly Heroin). We had continuous data for patients for up to 9 months of LAB. Two stopped for non-discontinuation reasons: One wanted to detox, one died of natural causes (LAB-unrelated). Both were excluded from discontinuation rate analysis. 55 people have data for over a month. Of these, 11 discontinued treatment. 80% remained on LAB for 1 month or more [95%CI 67-90%]. Kaplan-Meier plots showed similar discontinuation rates when comparing different OST programmes or none prior to LAB, and comparing by age, sex and initial illness severity (CGI severity). These rates all far exceeded data for traditional OST. CGI scores dramatically improved, even at one week. By month 2 all scores “much improved” or “very much improved”.

Buvidal (LAB) has 80% retention rates, regardless of underlying prescribed/illicit opioid /demographics. The commonly held belief that those on heroin are further from Recovery than those more stable on OAD may be incorrect. LAB may be a more acceptable and useful first line therapy that other OSTs

Dr Melichar has provided consultancy work, presentations, training and chaired panel discussions for all the companies in this area in the UK and some outside the UK. Recent work includes Althea (UK), Britannia (UK), Camurus (UK and Global), Martindale (U

Internet addiction (IA) is a rapidly growing disorder especially among adolescents and young adults. Social anxiety is one of the risk factors for IA. Also, genes involved in dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems are among the candidate genes most frequently associated with IA.

The study aimed to investigate the association between social anxiety level and genetic markers in young adult Internet addicts.

IA group included 44 people (Chen/Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) score ≥ 65), 75,0% males), the average age 22,0 [18,0;25,0] y.o. (Md [Q1; Q3]). Healthy control group (CIAS score was less 65) included 120 people, (73,3% males), the average age 23,0 [22,0;24,0] y.o. Psychometric measures: Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Genetic markers: rs2072450 in GRIN2A, rs2832407 in GRiK-GluR5, HUMTH01 in TH01(S<9, L>=9 repeats). The impact of genotypes on social anxiety scores was identified using Proportional Odd Logit modeling taking into account group affiliation.

Group of IA reported significantly higher levels in almost all LSAS measures including total score. We found that carriers of the genotypes rs2072450 CC (p=0.004 vs.CA/AA), rs2832407 CC (p=0.023 vs AA), and TH01 SS (p=0.013 vs. LL) scored significantly higher of LSAS total in the IA group. There were no significant differences in the healthy controls group.

The rs2072450(CC) in GRIN2A, rs2832407(CC) in GRiK-GluR5, and HUMTH01 in TH01(SS) genotypes may be possibly associated with higher social anxiety levels in Internet addicts.

The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project #18-29-22079.

Sexual orientation is known to have some influence in alcohol consumption patterns and outcomes. Sexual minority women (SMW) are more likely to develop binge drinking and alcohol use disorder than heterossexual women. Because women tend to be more secretive with their drinking and hesitant to get help, and alcohol is particularly harmful to the female body, SMW pose particular challenges.

Review the latest research on alcoholism in SMW, focusing on various specificities of this population.

Literature review in the PubMed database, using the MESH terms “alcohol use disorder”, “women”, “female”, “trans woman”, “adult”. Free full text, publication in the last 5 years, English or Portuguese and article typology filters were applied. Following primary hits, secondary references were checked and a total of 10 articles were included. Results were grouped in epidemiological, etiological, therapeutical and prognostic specificities.

Data indicate that lesbian and bisexual women, compared to heterosexuals, are twice as likely to engage in binge drinking. AUD prevalence and patterns of alcohol use are especially higher among younger SMW. The influence of sexual orientation on alcohol use and related outcomes seems to be greater among women than men. Regarding etiology, internalized stigma, minority stress, victimization experiences, social norms and policies are the main culprits Even though SMW are more likely to report and ask hor help, many do not receive adequate treatment. SMW show an incresed risk of developing other complications, such as physical injuries, sexual assault, liver or cardiac disease.

Sexual minority women are particularly vulnerable to alcohol-related harms. Interventions especially directed to SMW need to be developed.

No significant relationships.

In recent years, the elderly population in Korea has rapidly increased, and the proportion of the elderly over 65 years old was 14% as of 2017. In particular, as the elderly population increases, the number of elderly people with disabilities has increased by 16.3% over the past 7 years, from 30.3% in 2010 to 46.6% in 2017. Based on the dual view of the elderly and the disabled, it is necessary to pay attention to the problems of drinking and depression in these relatively marginalized groups.

This study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of social support between problem drinking and depression of the elderly with disability

This study analyzed the 12th wave(2017) KWPS(Korean Welfare Panel Study) and Disability Study which included 195 elderly with disability aged 60 over. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 and STATA.

First, the elderly with disabilities were more likely to be depressed than the women, living without spouse, the less satisfied with health, the higher the problem drinking, the lower the social support. Second, disability factors didn’t show any influence on the depression of subject and subjective health satisfaction significantly related to the depression. Third, social support moderated the relationship between the problem drinking and depression. According to the Quantile regression analysis, in group with low social support, the more the problem drinking, the higher the depression.

Social support in elderly with disability was a significant factor for problem drinking and depression. The implication and limitation of these findings are discussed

No significant relationships.

Many internationally studies, in the last two decades, found problematic internet use associated with a variety of psychosocial problems, but in Portugal this is a recent research question specially in adults.

To explore the relationship between problematic Internet use, emotional regulation and self-esteem.

138 Portuguese subjects (77.5% females), with a mean age of 27.76 years old (SD = 8.98, range: 18-58) filled in the Portuguese versions of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

Negative consequences subscale of generalized problematic internet use was positively correlated with all the emotional regulation difficulties subscales and negatively with Self-Esteem, and positively with daily hours of internet usage. A similar result was found for Self-Deficient Regulation subscale, except for Clarity subscale. Mood Regulation was correlated with Strategies, Goals and Self-Esteem. Males showed higher levels of Negative Consequences. Age and age onset of Internet use were negatively correlated with Mood Regulation, Self-Deficient Regulation and Negative Consequences. A statistically significant difference in Mood Regulation, Self-Deficient Regulation and Negative Consequences in marital status levels, and in professional situation, with higher median scores in divorced and single without a relationship and in student subjects; no significant differences were found in educational level.

Generalized problematic Internet use, especially their Negative Consequences, is associated with higher emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, lower age and lower age of Internet onset, being divorced or single without a relationship and being student, and it is more prevalent in males.

No significant relationships.

GABAa-receptors proved to be the molecular targets of ethanol on immune and nervous cells, potentiating alcohol influence. ortho-Fluoro-benzonal is known to be a circular urea derivative and an artificial ligand of GABA/BD-receptor and thus a potential candidate drug for alchoholism treatment.

We have shown the alcohol motivation decrease under ortho-fluoro-benzonal influence in experiment. The investigation of molecular mechanisms and functional targets of this substance is an important step in understanding of molecular pathogenesis and approaches to managing alcohol addiction.

Splenocytes from male (CBAxC57Bl/6) F1 mice in a state of alcohol dependence owing to 6-month 10% ethanol exposure were aseptically obtained and cultured in presence of GABA, ortho-fluoro-benzonal and mitogens (LPS or concanavalin A). Proliferative activity of immune cells in vitro was estimated by means of radioactive 3H-thymidine incorporation.

The intact animals’ splenocytes revealed increased spontaneous proliferation, increased T-mitogen stimulated and decreased B-mitogen stimulated proliferation in the presence of ortho-fluoro-benzonal. The immune cells from alcoholized animals, demonstrating increased spontaneous proliferative activity and weaken susceptibility to the mitogens, showed normal response patterns, except B-mitogen response case, under ortho-fluoro-benzonal inluence. Addition of GABA into the cultures didn’t cancel most positive effects of ortho-fluoro-benzonal inluence, proving existence of their GABAaR-independent pathways, mediated by other barbiturate receptors in addition to GABAaR-dependent ones.

Immunomodulating properties of artificial GABA receptor ligand, ortho-fluoro-benzonal, in vitro has been shown. The compound may correct immune cells dysregulation caused by chronic ethanol exposure, so the original anticonvulsant has promise in the treatment of alcoholism.

The authors have not supplied a conflict-of-interest statement.

The examination of the cinematic metanarrative provides many possibilities for recovery-oriented addiction consultation. The key to efficiency can be the approach of the recipient’s point of view and attitude, with which the client can interpret his own traumas and life story retrospectively.

Our aim is to show that the recognition, the turning points, the acknowledgement and the recovery from addiction can be described as a model in the deep structure of recovery stories. Can narrative research explore more deeply the main stages of recovery andidentity shaping, with the possible use of the film’s narrative technique?

12 recovering addicts were interviewed who have been clean for at least 4 years. Interviews covered the years spent as addicts and the path to recovery using the method of deductive metanarrative analysis.

Based on the results of the analysis, elements of the film narrative could be found together major psychoanalysis concepts and literary theory models in the semi-structured interviews. Emotion control dysregulation all appear in the stories. Together these can be traced to a summary narrative and a historical line. Furthermore, the addicted person as a hero, the compulsion to repeat and its spookiness, and the role of the helpers also appear in the retrospective narratives without exception.

The well-structured, coherent recovery stories help the recoverer to reconstruct their self, to make the behavioral change permanent, thus reducing the chances of relapse. The film narrative and toolkit provide an opportunity based on similarities with the narrator’s framework, which can strengthen the recovering identity.

No significant relationships.

Prolonged exposure to Video games may have several negative cognitive and emotional consequences.However, a few investigations have explored the effects of video games addiction on sleep.

To study the effects of gaming addiction on sleep patterns in young adults

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study.Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on social networks targeting young adults between 18–40 years. We used the gaming addiction scale (GAS) in its validated Arabic short version. We also used the validated Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess the sleep quality of our participants.

One hundred and nine participants were included. The mean age was 29.6 ± 10.3. Males accounted for 60.6% of the study population. The mean Gas score was 13.11± 6.08.According to the GAS,25.7% were addicted gamers. The mean PSQI score was 7.25± 3.15. A poor sleep quality pattern (score > 6) was found in 59.6% of the participants. We found that the GAS score was significantly correlated to the total score of PSQI( P=0.003). We also found that the group with poor sleep quality had higher GAS scores (p= 0.014). We found a correlation between the GAS score and the following components of the PSQI: subjective sleep quality ( p= 0.01), sleep disturbances (p=0.024) and the use of sleep-promoting medication ( p=0.046)

Our study showed that video gaming behavior had a significant effect on sleep quality. This can have negative consequences on life quality, together with an impaired performance at awakening.

No significant relationships.

Internet addiction (IA) is reported to cause significant negative psychosocial consequences. The gender specificity of psychological characteristics that are potentially significant for the formation of IA remains understudied.

To identify gender-related differences in the psychological characteristics of people with IA.

100 subjects aged 16-34 years who scored 65 points or more on the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) were identified and divided into 2 groups by gender: group 1 (54 men) and group 2 (46 women). The individual psychological characteristics were assessed with: the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS); the Bass-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ); the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ); the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ); a short version of the Five-factor Personality Questionnaire (TIPI-RU) and the Cloninger Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125).

Women were significantly more likely to experience fear of situations of interpersonal contact and action in public places (p=0.027). They experienced significantly more sexual violence in childhood (p=0.032) and were more likely to have personality traits such as “reward dependence” (p=0.002), “persistence” (p = 0.046), and “self-transcendence” (p=0.002). Men demonstrated physical aggression (p=0.009), suppressed emotions (p=0.019) significantly more often than women and characterized themselves as emotionally stable (p=0.048).

The gender differences identified in the cohort of individuals with IA can potentially be considered specific for this contingent, although such gender relationships can be observed in other forms of addiction and in the general population. The specificity of gender differences may reflect individual psychological markers of increased vulnerability to developing IA.

The study was financially supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research within the framework of scientific project No 18-29-22079.