Publications
Lynn, S. J., McDonald, C., Sleight, F., & Mattson, R.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Ego dissolution, variously called Ego-Loss, self-loss, and ego disintegration, is a hallmark of psychedelic drug use. We cross-validated the 10-item Ego Dissolution Scale, which we developed to assess ego dissolution in everyday life, and we included comparator variables that expanded our original assessment of construct validity. We replicated the original two factor structure (i.e., subfactors: Ego-Loss and Unity/connectedness with others, the world, universe), and we determined that the total score (Cronbach’s α = 0.79) and subfactors (Ego-Loss = 78; Unity = 0.83) possessed adequate-to-good reliability and strong convergent validity (e.g., mindfulness, hallucination-predisposition, sleep variables, personality variables, positive/negative affect transliminality, dissociation/depersonalization), while neuroticism, social desirability did not correlate highly with ego dissolution. We identified distinct patterns of relations of measures associated with the Ego-Loss vs. Unity subfactors. We discuss the implications of the use of the EDS for studying everyday aspects of ego dissolution, the long-term effects of psychedelic use, and the value of using the scale in conjunction with measures of the acute effects of psychedelics.
Aksen, D., Sleight, F., & Lynn, S. J.
Psychology of Consciousness
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Psychotherapies have frequently incorporated mindfulness techniques as crucial components contributing to treatment protocols for impulsivity. However, no previous review has examined empirical research regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions as a stand-alone treatment. This qualitative review of 15 articles investigates the extant literature on the use of mindfulness interventions for modifying impulsivity. Articles were selected based on inclusion criteria including intent to investigate mindfulness intervention effectiveness for impulsivity outcomes, use of adequately developed and described mindfulness interventions, and use of valid and reliable outcome measures. Studies primarily utilized student, inmate, and clinical samples. Methodological limitations are described and suggest that more studies with more rigorous methodologies are needed. Although preliminary, the qualitative review indicated that mindfulness interventions can reduce impulsivity posttreatment and yield superior outcomes compared with comparison conditions. Examination of potential moderators and mediators of intervention gains is necessary to inform future development and effectiveness of mindfulness treatments.
Polizzi, C., Sleight, F., Aksen, D., McDonald, C., & Lynn, S. J.
Clinical Neuropsychiatry
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The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is a mass traumatic event that has universally and indiscriminately negatively affected the world. The adverse consequences of the pandemic have globally impacted psychological health and well-being via increased stressors, such as uncertainty, health anxieties, and financial instability. During the initial months of the pandemic, we (Polizzi et al., 2020) identified coping strategies that may be well-suited to address the sequelae of the pandemic. These strategies included behavioral activation, acceptance-based coping, mindfulness practice, and loving-kindness meditation. We argued that these coping skills may foster resilience and recovery during the pandemic by generating a sense of social connection, encouraging meaning-making, and enhancing feelings of control amid uncertainty. Three years later, we update our initial suggestions by providing a narrative review that considers empirical evidence collected during the pandemic to support the utility of the previously identified coping strategies as well as additional strategies. We also discuss cross-cultural similarities and differences among these strategies and how research supports their application across diverse countries and groups. Finally, we conclude by synthesizing the literature within a regulatory flexibility framework that emphasizes flexible skill implementation with respect to sensitivity to context, coping repertoires, and feedback from the environment.
Polizzi, C., Sleight, F., Aksen, D., McDonald, C., & Lynn, S. J.
Mindfulness
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The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is recognized as a mass traumatic event in which COVID-19-related stress (CS) can indicate other trauma- and/or stressor-related disorder. The facets of mindfulness (observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreacting) have been linked to reductions in stress-related symptoms and thus may protect against CS. We extended previous research by evaluating mindfulness facets as resilience skills negatively related to CS. Undergraduate students (n = 495) completed an online battery of questionnaires. A subsample of students endorsing clinically elevated CS (n = 165) was also evaluated. We utilized hierarchical regression to account statistically for the mindfulness facets in addition to indicators of psychological distress (e.g., negative affect, neuroticism, dissociation) and social desirability. We performed analyses twice, once in the overall sample, and once in the high CS subsample. Less observing and greater nonjudging related to reduced CS while other study variables were controlled for in the overall sample. In contrast, acting with awareness and nonjudging negatively related to CS in the subsample, but were not related to CS when we accounted for psychological-distress variables that positively related to CS in the analysis. Although variables indicative of psychological distress robustly contribute to CS, observing, acting with awareness, and nonjudging may be mindfulness skills that can be targeted to buffer clinically significant CS.
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Sleight, F., Lynn, S. J., Mattson, R., & McDonald, C.
Consciousness and Cognition
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Ego dissolution (i.e., ego loss, ego disintegration, ego death, or self-loss) is a conscious state marked by a loss or diminution of one’s sense of self and a lack of first-person experience. We developed a novel, valid, and internally consistent ego dissolution scale to both (a) assess trait-like aspects of ego dissolution, which have received scant attention to date, and (b) facilitate future research in a variety of contexts (e.g., personality, psychopathology, substance use/psychedelics, contemplative practices). We determined that the 10-item Ego Dissolution Scale (EDS; Cronbach’s α = 0.80) and its identified subfactors of Ego-Loss (Cronbach’s α = 0.84) and Unity (Cronbach’s α = 0.75) were internally consistent, possessed strong convergent (e.g., depersonalization/derealization, mysticism, unusual experiences) and discriminant validity (e.g., neuroticism, social desirability). We found ego dissolution and dissociation to be empirically related yet discriminable on a statistical basis.
Polizzi, C., Aksen, D., Sleight, F., & Lynn, S. J.
Imagination, Cognition and Personality
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Informed by the transtheoretical/transdiagnostic model (TTM) of dissociation, we tested the nomological network of dissociation by evaluating the unique relations among dissociation and its facets (i.e., depersonalization, amnesia, absorption, taxon) with variables pertinent to competing dissociation theories (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms, resilience, fantasy proneness, cognitive failures, sleep) while controlling for neuroticism, affect, and social desirability. Self-report measures were administered online to undergraduate students (N = 352). We found robust relations among dissociation and sociocognitive variables (i.e., fantasy proneness, cognitive failures, thought control) and correlations among dissociation and trauma-related variables (e.g., PTSD symptoms, resilience). Variables relevant to different dissociation theories uniquely related to distinct dimensions of dissociation. We observed significant indirect effects on dissociation for sleep, cognitive failures, and fantasy proneness. Results support the sociocognitive and posttraumatic models of dissociation, thereby highlighting nuances in dissociation's nomological network and confirming the value of the TTM as an integrative model.