ACP2023 Pre-Recorded Virtual Presentations

68414 | Effective Sanction Avoidance in Drug Trafficking: The Construction and Validation of the Restrictive Deterrence Utility Scale

Xin Guan, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

T. Wing Lo, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong

Aims: Drug traffickers perform many criminal strategies to avoid legal sanctions while committing crime. The use of any criminal strategy is mainly motivated by the fact that it can reduce the risk of arrest, and this has been the focus of research on restrictive deterrence. In this context, this study develops a Restrictive Deterrence Utility Scale (RDUS) to measure the effectiveness of the criminal strategies used in drug trafficking.

Methods: Survey data were collected from 294 female drug traffickers aged between 21 and 61 years who were serving sentences in Mainland China. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted for scales investigation.

Results: Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the results show that there are three valid and reliable factors for the RDUS: anomaly avoidance, reduction of exposure time, and the use of weapons and tools.

Conclusion: We argue that, drawing on the rich body of qualitative-dominated research on restrictive deterrence, an attempt to establish a relevant quantitative form is a meaningful test of the relevance of restrictive deterrence. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of criminal strategies in avoiding sanctions from the point of view of drug traffickers. The RDUS offers a helpful method for assessing the motivation for drug traffickers to persist in drug crime and for formulating appropriate interventions for drug prohibition.

69228 | A Cognitive and Socio-cultural Perspective on the Tendency to use Gmail’s Smart Reply-like AI-based Texting Features

Sairaj Patki, FLAME University, India

Omkar Joshi, FLAME University, India

Ritwika Das, FLAME University, India

Introduced by Google in the year 2016, Gmail Smart Reply gives reply suggestions to users through deep neural networks, based on its ML model trained on a massive database collected earlier. By 2017, Smart Reply was already sending about 6.7 billion email replies on behalf of humans. The present study explores the tendency of email service users from India to use features like Gmail’s Smart Reply. The final data comprised 167 participants, including 92 students and 75 working professionals from India. The simulation section of the study posed six hypothetical Emails to the respondents. Students and professionals received email contexts that were relevant to their experiences respectively. To account for the message’s nature, an equal number of formally and informally worded emails were used. The direction of communication was incorporated by making participants respond to Emails from a subordinate, a peer or colleague, and a senior. Gmail Smart Reply-like short responses were provided and participants had the option of choosing these or typing their own responses. Findings showed that over 80% of participants used the SmartReply-like option rather than typing their own replies. The cognitive and socio-cultural explanations for this tendency are explored. The study has socio-cultural implications in the context of democratizing AI-based language solutions and ensuring the sensitivity of the solutions to regional needs. While features like Smart Reply provide supportive ecosystems for non-native English speakers, its consequent domination over naturally produced language may have implications for computer-mediated communication and cognitive linguistic studies in the future.

Mental Health

67534

| Mental Relaxation Techniques as a Therapeutic Intervention for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Arushi Srivastava, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India

Torsa Chattoraj, Banaras Hindu University, India

The widespread occurrence of trauma exposure and its detrimental effects on survivors and society highlight the necessity of secondary prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD occurs due to direct or indirect exposure to traumatic events, leading to prolonged psychological distress. Its symptomatology ranges from the experience of intrusive thoughts to continued avoidance of stimuli. A few physiological symptoms include heightened arousal and reactivity, which can be observed as rage outbursts, restlessness, reckless behaviour without regard for consequences, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and difficulties concentrating. Relaxation techniques have demonstrated considerable amelioration of physiological symptoms of trauma. According to van der Kolk (2002), PTSD treatment must address sensory reminders and help the individual gain bodily control over the triggers evoking traumatic reactions. The use of relaxation techniques may help manage an over-reactive stress response if the individual is cognizant of their triggers and can be ready to react to them. As hypervigilance lessens and focus improves, these strategies may be utilised as a stepping stone to get individuals with PTSD prepared to engage in other evidence-based treatment modalities. In the present review, we aim to explore the efficacy of mental relaxation techniques for treating PTSD. We underscore three mental relaxation techniques (cognitive restructuring, guided imagery, and mindfulness-based interventions) that address physiological aspects of distress. The empirical evidence on the efficacy of mental relaxation techniques is meagre. Still, a growing body of research indicates they are effective approaches for treating PTSD, especially for those individuals who have not been successful with traditional therapies.

68240 | Mental Health and Academic Performance in the New Normal

Emilyn Munar, University of La Salette, Philippines

Queenne Kimverlee Claro, University of La Salette, Philippines

Gretchen Mae Rosal, University of La Salette, Philippines

Mental health is still a relatively new concern, in recent years there has been a shift toward a more socially acceptable attitude toward discussing it. Concerns about college students’ mental health are the subject of an ever-expanding body of research, which is currently being conducted in increasing numbers. The purpose was to assess the mental health status and the academic performance of students in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) specifically in Santiago City, Isabela, Philippines for proper interventions to succeed in their studies. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used in the study and the analytical sample used was purposive sampling which was composed of 356 respondents. Data was collected using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The result revealed a significant relationship between mental status and academic performance in terms of age and gender. The study concludes that mental health awareness is a necessity, especially for college students to