Browsing by Author "Burkauskas, Julius"
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- Exercise and use of enhancement drugs at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicultural study on poping strategies during self-Isolation and related risksPublication . Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Carvalho, Irene P.; Burkauskas, Julius; Simonato, Pierluigi; De Luca, Ilaria; Mooney, Roisin; Ioannidis, Konstantinos; Gómez-Martínez, M. Ángeles; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Ábel, Krisztina Edina; Szabo, Attila; Fujiwara, Hironobu; Shibata, Mami; Ventola, Alejandra Rebeca Melero; Arroyo-Anlló, Eva Maria; Santos-Labrador, Ricardo M.; Griskova-Bulanova, Inga; Pranckeviciene, Aiste; Kobayashi, KeiLittle is known about the impact of restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on self-image and engagement in exercise and other coping strategies alongside the use of image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) to boost performance and appearance.
- Exploring the relationship between mental well-being, exercise routines, and the intake of image and performance enhancing drugs during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a comparison across sport disciplinesPublication . Shibata, Mami; Burkauskas, Julius; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Kobayashi, Kei; Yoshimura, Sayaka; Simonato, Pierluigi; Luca, Ilaria De; Cicconcelli, Dorotea; Giorgetti, Valentina; P. Carvalho, Irene; Barbosa, Fernando; Monteiro, Cristina; Murai, Toshiya; A. Gómez-Martínez, Maria; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Edina Ábel, Krisztina; Szabo, Attila; Rebeca Melero Ventola, Alejandra; Maria Arroyo-Anlló, Eva; M. Santos-Labrador, Ricardo; Griskova-Bulanova, Inga; Griskova-Bulanova, Inga; Pranckeviciene, Aiste; Bersani, Giuseppe; Fujiwara, Hironobu; Corazza, OrnellaPhysical distancing under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on lifestyles, including exercise routines. In this study, we examined the relationship between mental health and addictive behaviors, such as excessive exercise and the use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) across 12 sport disciplines. Materials and methods: A large cross-sectional sample of the adult population (N = 2,295) was surveyed. The mean age was 33.09 (SD = 11.40). The number of male participants was 668 (30.0%). The use of IPEDs was assessed in conjunction with psychometric measures such as the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) and the Shibata et al. Sports Disciplines and IPEDs Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI). The participants were grouped into activity group (AG) and non-activity group (NAG) according to the presence or absence of their exercise habits. The results were compared between these groups, as well as across sport disciplines, while taking into account the relationship between different psychological measures and IPEDs consumption. Results: The frequency of IPEDs use was higher among AG (34.6%) than NAG (14.6%), although AG participants reported less history of addictions (7.1%) than NAG (11.8%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that scores equal to or above cutoff points, in both the EAI and AAI, predicted the IPEDs use. Regarding the differences across the various sport disciplines, those who were involved in practicing Weight Lifting and Cross Fit were found to be more at risk of excessive exercising and more inclined to use a wide range of IPEDs. Conclusions: Although exercise could help to increase well-being and prevent addictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, our results show that those in the AG are particularly vulnerable to excessive IPEDs use. Sport disciplines associated with higher EAI and AAI scores have also shown a higher tendency to excessive IPEDs use. Furthermore, the factor of having above the cutoff scores in EAI or AAI in each sport could indicate larger IPEDs consumption regardless of the discipline. In light of the current findings, it is necessary to better define the “non-excessive” levels of exercise in various sport disciplines and an adequate intake of IPEDs to ensure the safety and well-being of people during a pandemic
- Online behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associations with psychological factors: an international exploratory studyPublication . Burkauskas, Julius; Dores, Artemisa RochaThis cross-sectional study aimed to explore specific online behaviours and their association with a range of underlying psychological and other behavioural factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight countries (Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Portugal, Japan, Hungary, and Brazil) participated in an international investigation involving 2223 participants (M = 33 years old; SD = 11), 70% of whom were females. Participants were surveyed for specific type of Internet use severity, appearance anxiety, self-compassion, and image and use of performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs). Results were compared cross-culturally. The mean time spent online was 5 h (SD = ±3) of daily browsing during the pandemic. The most commonly performed activities included social networking, streaming, and general surfing. A strong association between these online behaviours and appearance anxiety, self-compassion, and IPEDs use was found after adjustment for possible confounders, with higher scores being associated with specific online activities. Significant cross cultural differences also emerged in terms of the amount of time spent online during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Problematic internet use during COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Burkauskas, Julius; Dores, Artemisa R.; Carvalho, Irene P.; Corazza, OrnellaExperts in the field raised concerns about the rise of the Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) during the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), however, specific online behaviours and how they are presented cross-culturally were explored to a lesser extent. In this study, we aimed to explore the cross-cultural manifestation of specific online behaviours and their associations with self-compassion, appearance anxiety, image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) use, and specific online behaviours.
- Profiling and assessing the risks of image- and performance-enhancing drugs use during the COVID-19 lockdownPublication . De Luca, Ilaria; Di Carlo, Francesco; Burkauskas, Julius; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Carvalho, Irene P.; Ángeles Gómez-Martínez, M.; Szabo, Attila; Fujiwara, Hironobu; Barbosa, Cristina Monteiro; Nicola, Marco Di; Mazza, Marianna; Sani, Gabriele; Luciani, Debora; Pettorruso, Mauro; Giannantonio, Massimo di; Cataldo, Ilaria; Esposito, Gianluca; Martinotti, Giovanni; Zandonai, Thomas; Rabin, Olivier; Corazza, OrnellaImage and Performance-Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) can enhance mental and physical capabilities and impact one’s overall health. Initially confined in sport environments, IPEDs use has become increasingly widespread in a high-performing society. The present study was aimed at profiling IPEDs use during the COVID-19 lockdown among an international sample of young adults. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in eight countries (United Kingdom, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and Japan) between April and May 2020. The survey questionnaire included validated measurements such as Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) as well as questions about the type of IPEDs, purchasing methods and socio-demographic information. A total of 736 IPEDs users were included in the survey. Their mean age was 33.05 years (±SD = 10.06), and 64.2% were female participants. Overall, 6.8% were found at risk of exercise addiction (EAI >24), 27.6% presented high levels of appearance anxiety, and 24.9% revealed low levels of emotional regulation’s self-compassion. Most participants (55.6%) purchased IPEDs through pharmacies/specialized shops, while 41.3% purchased IPEDs on the Internet. Online IPEDs buyers were mainly men who had higher scores on the Exercise Addiction Inventory. One or more IPEDs classifiable as “potentially risky” were used by 66.3% of the sample. Users of “potentially risky IPEDs” were younger and primarily men. They showed higher scores both on the Exercise Addiction Inventory and Appearance Anxiety Inventory. This study profiled users of IPEDs when the most restrictive COVID-19 lockdown policies were implemented in all the participating countries. More targeted post-COVID 19 prevention strategies should be implemented according to the emerged socio-demographic and psychopathological traits and cross-cultural differences emerged. Longitudinal studies will also be needed to determine the long-term effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on IPEDs consumption.
- The role of anxiety about appearance on the practice of physical exercise and use of image- and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) during the COVID-19 lockdown: A multicultural studyPublication . Dores, Artemisa R; Carvalho, Irene P.; Burkauskas, Julius; Barbosa, Fernando ; Corazza, OrnellaThe literature has been showing evidence about the impact of restrictive mea sures during the COVID-19 pandemic on different psychological variables and behaviours. This study aims to assess the contribution of anxiety about appearance on the practice of physical exercise and use of image- and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) during the COVID-19 lockdown.