This research paper aimed to investigate the relationship between psychedelic use, creativity, and meaning in life. A survey was distributed to investigate creative activity scores, personality...Show moreThis research paper aimed to investigate the relationship between psychedelic use, creativity, and meaning in life. A survey was distributed to investigate creative activity scores, personality traits, and meaning in life for both psychedelic users and psychedelic naïve respondents. Creative activity (CAct) scores were collected for the domains of Literature, Music, Arts-and- Crafts, and Visual Arts. Personality traits were tested with the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), with hypotheses focusing on the personality trait of “Openness to Experience”, due to established relations with the other variables of interest. Meaning in life was assessed with use of the Three Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale (3DM) and its subscales covering the concepts of Coherence, Purpose, and Significance. It was expected that psychedelic users would show increased creativity, as has been supported by existing literature. However, these results were not significant. The results did show significance for the prediction that psychedelic use would increase trait openness, as well as creativity when mediated by trait openness. The prediction that psychedelic use would increase meaning in life was not supported. The results from this research provide further insight into the relations between psychedelic use and cognitive factors such as personality traits, creativity, and perceived meaning in life. The subjective benefits psychedelic users could potentially experience as a result of increases in these domains might have the ability to improve mental health, and warrant the further research of applicability of psychedelics in clinical care. Since the results of this research were limited by a small sample size, more research is necessary to investigate other related variables and extend the current findings.Show less
Background: University students with autism are more likely to experience mental health issues during their studies than their neurotypical peers. The exact role of loneliness and meaning in life...Show moreBackground: University students with autism are more likely to experience mental health issues during their studies than their neurotypical peers. The exact role of loneliness and meaning in life in the mental health of students with autism is unknown. Aim: To investigate the impact that loneliness and meaning in life have on different mental health outcomes for university students with and without a diagnosis of autism. The examined mental health outcomes were depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Online survey. The sample consisted of 59 students with autism and 163 neurotypical university students in the Netherlands. Results: Students with autism reported lower levels of meaning in life and higher levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than their neurotypical peers. Both loneliness and low meaning in life could significantly predict all the mental outcomes. Loneliness was also predictor of low meaning in life. For participants with autism, there was no evidence of meaning in life mediating the relationship of loneliness with depression and anxiety. However, meaning in life fully mediated the effect that loneliness has on suicidal ideation. Regarding the neurotypical sample, there was evidence of a partial mediation of meaning in life for all three mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Students with autism are at greater risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Both loneliness and low meaning in life may contribute to this. If replicated, universities may be advised to offer social support, as well as interventions targeting meaning in life to their students with autism.Show less
