Danielle Leclerc

Internet Gambling, Substance Use, and Delinquent Behavior: An Adolescent Deviant Behavior Involvement Pattern

Internet gambling among adolescents is a growing phenomenon that has received little attention to date. This study examines associations between Internet gambling and the severity of gambling, substance use (SU), and delinquent behavior among 1,870 Quebec students aged 14 to 18. The results show a higher proportion of Internet-gambling (IG) students reporting problematic substance use and delinquency, compared with nongamblers (NG) and non-Internet gamblers (NIG). Furthermore, a higher proportion of at-risk and probable pathological gamblers are found among IG compared with NIG. A moderating effect (Baron & Kenny, 1986) of the gambler categories (NIG, IG) was found in the relationship between the associated problems and the severity of gambling. Among IG, the severity of delinquency and of substance use contributes to explaining gambling severity whereas, among NIG, the severity of delinquency is the only factor that significantly contributes to such an explanation. Discussion of the results is based on Jessor, Donovan, and Costas (1991) general deviance syndrome theory.

Risque d’abandon scolaire, style parental et participation parentale au suivi scolaire

La presente etude vise a verifier les liens entre le risque d’abandon scolaire au secondaire, le style parental et la participation parentale au suivi scolaire. L’echantillon se compose de 810 eleves de premiere secondaire (12–13 ans). Le risque d’abandon scolaire est mesure a l’aide du questionnaire Decisions (P. Quirouette, 1988); le style parental et la participation parentale au suivi scolaire sont evalues au moyen des questionnaires de L. Steinberg, S. D. Lamborn, S. M. Dornbusch et N. Darling (1992) et J. L. Epstein, L. J. Connors et K. C. Salinas (1993), traduits et valides au Quebec par R. Deslandes (1996). Les analyses de regressions multiples permettent d’identifier deux dimensions du style parental et deux dimensions de la participation parentale au suivi scolaire qui expliquent 23 % de la variance du risque d’abandon scolaire. Les dimensions les plus significatives sont, en ordre d’importance, le soutien affectif parental, l’engagement et l’encadrement parental et la communication avec les enseignants. This study analyzes the correlation of the risk of dropping out in high school with parent- ing style and parental involvement in schooling. The study sample comprised 810 adoles- cents (12–13 years old). The risk of dropping out was assessed using the questionnaire Decisions (P. Quirouette, 1988). Parenting style and parental involvement in schooling were evaluated using questionnaires developped by L. Steinberg, S. D. Lamborn, S. M. Dornbusch, and N. Darling (1992) and by J. L. Epstein, L. J. Connors, and K.C. Salinas (1993), translated and validated in Quebec by R. Deslandes (1996). Multiple-regression analyses identified two dimensions of parenting style and two dimensions of parental involvement in schooling that together explained 23% of the variance in the risk of drop- ping out. In order of importance, the most significant dimensions are parental affective support, warmth, supervision, and communication with teachers.

Gender Difference in Internet Use and Internet Problems among Quebec High School Students

Objectives: There are presently no data available concerning Internet addiction (IA) problems among adolescents in Canada and the province of Quebec. The goal of this study is thus to document and compare the influence of gender on Internet use and addiction. Method: The study data were collected from a larger research project on gambling among adolescents. Activities conducted online (applications used and time spent) as well as answers to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were collected from 3938 adolescents from grades 9 to 11. The two most often employed cut-off points for the IAT in the literature were documented: (40-69 and 70+) and (50+). Results: Boys spent significantly more time on the Internet than did girls. A greater proportion of the girls made intense use of social networks, whereas a greater proportion of the boys made intense use of massively multiplayer online role-playing games, online games, and adult sites. The proportion of adolescents with a potential IA problem varied according to the cut-off employed. When the cut-off was set at 70+, 1.3% of the adolescents were considered to have an IA, while 41.7% were seen to be at risk. At a 50+ cut-off, 18% of the adolescents were considered to have a problem. There was no significant difference between the genders concerning the proportion of adolescents considered to be at risk or presenting IA problems. Finally, analysis of the percentile ranks would seem to show that a cut-off of 50+ better describes the category of young people at risk. Conclusions: The results of this study make it possible to document Internet use and IA in a large number of Quebec adolescents.

Transition from playing with simulated gambling games to gambling with real money: a longitudinal study in adolescence

Abstract Digital technology advances have supported an expansion of gambling activities, which is notable via the advent of simulated gambling games. Simulated gambling reproduces ‘real’ gambling activities, which enables the users to gamble without investing money. According to research evidence, a certain number of adolescents are playing with these games, but until now little has been known about how they could facilitate the migration to gambling with real money. Using a longitudinal design with a one-year interval period, the goal of this study was to assess the potential transition between playing with simulated gambling and the initiation to gambling with real money. The final sample was constituted of 1220 adolescents (age range = 14 to 18 y.o.) who had never played with real money at the first measurement time. At the second measurement time, 28.8% of the participants had gambled for the first time with real money. Logistic regressions revealed that the predictive association between simulated gambling and gambling with real money only holds for adolescents who transitioned from simulated poker to poker with real money. These findings highlight the need for regulation and monitoring on Internet gambling poker sites, as well as further research to assess the mechanisms at work.

Adolescent Technology Use: Profiles of Distinct Groups and Associated Risky Behaviors

Introduction: Adolescents make regular use of a wide range of technologies, such as console video games, mobile phones and a variety of Internet applications. Although this usage is not problematic for most individuals, some adolescents do use them excessively. Objective: The main objective of this article is to explore the presence of clusters within a sample of adolescents based on dimensions associated with risky behaviors (substance use, gambling and delinquency) and problematic use of technologies (Internet and console video games). Methods: The sample consists of 1,870 adolescents in the 14-18 year age group who were recruited in French-language high schools in Quebec (Canada). Results: The main results showed that one in ten adolescents was a high Internet user. A cluster analysis identified three groups of participants: non-problematic boys, non-problematic girls, and adolescents with multiple problems. The latter group included all of the high Internet users and some high video game users. These participants had the highest severity scores for substance use and delinquency and received higher scores for psychological distress, impulsivity and sensation seeking. Conclusions: These results support the presence of a subgroup of adolescents with high levels of co-occurring risky behaviors and suggest that excessive use of technology may also be a characteristic of this group.

Psychosocial Difficulties in Adolescents nine Months after a Railway Accident.

A railway accident which occurred in Lac-Megantic in Quebec, Canada, caused disruption for an entire community. This study examines the psychosocial difficulties in a group of exposed adolescents aged between 11 to 17, nine months after the tragedy. The analyses were conducted on a sample of 515 adolescents, attending high school, and living near the impact area. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health problems (depression, anxiety), and problem use of alcohol or drugs prevalence were estimated. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for PTSD clinical threshold. Almost half (43.4%) of adolescents reported being severely exposed to the railway accident and one third (31.3%) have reported a PTSD. Serious injuries, depression and anxiety (p < .05) were associated with greater risks for adolescents with a PTSD. However, sex, victimization, and emerging problems or problem use of alcohol or drugs are not associated with the PTSD. The results of the study highlight the relationship between a traumatic event such as the railway accident and the presence of PTSD nine months after, as well as risk factors for PTSD in adolescents. Paying close attention to mental health problems in adolescents when a traumatic event occurs and provide adequate aid is essential.