Examining psychedelic-induced changes in social functioning and connectedness in a naturalistic online sample using the five-factor model of personality.
Author(s)
Weiss, Brandon
Nygart, Victoria
Pommerencke, Lis Marie
Carhart-Harris, Robin L
Erritzoe, David
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The present study examines prospective changes in personality traits relevant to social functioning as well as perceived social connectedness in relation to the naturalistic use of psychedelic compounds in an online volunteer sample. The study also examined the degree to which demographic characteristics, social setting, baseline personality, and acute subjective factors (e.g., emotional breakthrough experiences) influenced trajectories of personality and perceived social connectedness. Participants recruited online completed self-report measures of personality and social connectedness at three timepoints (baseline, 2weeks post-experience, 4weeks post-experience). Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in outcomes and the moderation of these outcomes by covariates. The most substantive changes were reductions in the personality domains Neuroticism, and increases in Agreeableness and social connectedness. Notably, reductions in Neuroticism and increases in Agreeableness covaried over time, which may be suggestive of common processes involving emotion regulation. Preliminary evidence was found for a specific effect on a component of Agreeableness involving a critical and quarrelsome interpersonal style. Although moderation by demographic characteristics, social setting, baseline personality, and acute factors generally found limited support, baseline standing on Neuroticism, perspective taking, and social connectedness showed tentative signs of amplifying adaptive effects on each trait, respectively. Our findings hold implications for the potential use of psychedelics for treating interpersonal elements of personality pathology as well as loneliness.
Date Issued
2021-11-25
Date Acceptance
2021-10-20
Citation
Frontiers in Psychology, 2021, 12, pp.1-20
ISSN
1664-1078
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Start Page
1
End Page
20
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Psychology
Volume
12
Copyright Statement
© 2021 Weiss, Nygart, Pommerencke, Carhart-Harris and Erritzoe. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34899488
Subjects
Five-Factor Model
personality change
prospective
psychedelic
social functioning
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Date Publish Online
2021-11-25