Attitudes on Psychedelics in a Sample of Croatian Mental Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional National Survey Study
Tonći Mastelić, Tonka Borovina Marasović, M. Žuljević, Mirjana Sučević Ercegovac, Mariano Kaliterna, Neda Pleić, D. Vukorepa, Joško Topić, Marija Žuljan Cvitanović, D. Lasić, B. Uglešić, S. Kozina, Trpimir Glavina
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 27, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2370343 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 218 |
| Population | Psychiatrists and psychologists (92 psychiatrists, 126 psychologists) |
| Measures | Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire, Big Five Inventory |
| Key findings | Psychiatrists reported more negative attitudes toward legal use of psychedelics than psychologists. Positive attitudes were associated with higher Openness, lower Conscientiousness, previous lifetime psychedelic experience, and younger age. The authors suggest additional education could influence clinicians' attitudes and prepare them for practical use of psychedelics. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT For some time now, there has been an increased interest in psychedelics among scientists and mental health experts. Given that experts introduce therapy and advise patients, it is important to know their views. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine and compare the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists toward psychedelics. We were interested in how they are formed and what is the role of personality in that process. We included 218 respondents, of which 92 were psychiatrists and 126 were psychologists. Attitudes toward psychedelics were examined using the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire. We used the Big Five Inventory to examine personality traits. On the Legal Use of Psychedelics subscale, it was shown that psychiatrists have more negative attitudes toward psychedelics (p = .033). Higher Openness (β = 0.184, p < .001) and lower Conscientiousness (β = -0.144, p = .009) contribute to positive attitudes toward psychedelics, as well as previous lifetime experience with psychedelics (β = 0.411, p < .001) and younger age (β = -0.278, p < .001). In conclusion, we can say that mental health professionals are open but also wary of psychedelics. Openness motivates them to learn. For this reason, additional education could have an impact on the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists and prepare them for the practical use of psychedelics.