Dike van de Mheen

Online video game addiction: identification of addicted adolescent gamers.

AIMSnTo provide empirical data-driven identification of a group of addicted online gamers.nnnDESIGNnRepeated cross-sectional survey study, comprising a longitudinal cohort, conducted in 2008 and 2009.nnnSETTINGnSecondary schools in the Netherlands.nnnPARTICIPANTSnu2003 Two large samples of Dutch schoolchildren (aged 13-16 years).nnnMEASUREMENTSnCompulsive internet use scale, weekly hours of online gaming and psychosocial variables.nnnFINDINGSnThis study confirms the existence of a small group of addicted online gamers (3%), representing about 1.5% of all children aged 13-16 years in the Netherlands. Although these gamers report addiction-like problems, relationships with decreased psychosocial health were less evident.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe identification of a small group of addicted online gamers supports efforts to develop and validate questionnaire scales aimed at measuring the phenomenon of online video game addiction. The findings contribute to the discussion on the inclusion of non-substance addictions in the proposed unified concept of Addiction and Related Disorders for the DSM-V by providing indirect identification and validation of a group of suspected online video game addicts.

Compulsive Internet Use: The Role of Online Gaming and Other Internet Applications

PURPOSEnIncreasing research on Internet addiction makes it necessary to distinguish between the medium of Internet and its specific applications. This study explores the relationship between time spent on various Internet applications (including online gaming) and Compulsive Internet Use in a large sample of adolescents.nnnMETHODSnThe 2007 (N=4,920) and 2008 (N=4,753) samples of a longitudinal survey study among adolescents were used, as well as the 2007-2008 cohort subsample (N=1421). Compulsive Internet Use was predicted from the time spent on the various Internet applications in two cross-sectional multiple linear regression models and one longitudinal regression model in which changes in behavior were related to changes in Compulsive Internet Use.nnnRESULTSnIn both samples, downloading, social networking, MSN use, Habbo Hotel, chatting, blogging, online games, and casual games were shown to be associated with Compulsive Internet Use. Off these, online gaming was shown to have the strongest association with Compulsive Internet Use. Moreover, changes in online gaming were most strongly associated with changes in Compulsive Internet Use over time for the longitudinal cohort.nnnCONCLUSIONSnA clear relationship was shown between online gaming and Compulsive Internet Use. It is further argued that a subgroup of compulsive Internet users should be classified as compulsive online gamers.

Smoking and the compression of morbidity

OBJECTIVE To examine whether eliminating smoking will lead to a reduction in the number of years lived with disability (that is, absolute compression of morbidity). DESIGN Multistate life table calculations based on the longitudinal GLOBE study (the Netherlands) combined with the Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA, United States of America). SETTING the Netherlands. SUBJECTS Dutch nationals aged 30–74 years living in the city of Eindhoven and surrounding municipalities (GLOBE) and United States citizens age 70 and over (LSOA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Life expectancy with and without disability and total life expectancy at ages 30 and 70. RESULTS A non-smoking population on balance spends fewer years with disability than a mixed smoking-non-smoking population. Although non-smokers have lower mortality risks and thus are exposed to disability over a longer period of time, their lower incidence of disability and higher recovery from disability yield a net reduction of the length of time spent with disability (at age 30: −0.9 years in men and −1.1 years in women) and increases the length of time lived without disability (2.5 and 1.9 years, for men and women, respectively). These outcomes indicate that elimination of smoking will extend life and the period of disability free life, and will compress disability into a shorter period. CONCLUSIONS Eliminating smoking will not only extend life and result in an increase in the number of years lived without disability, but will also compress disability into a shorter period. This implies that the commonly found trade off between longer life and a longer period with disability does not apply. Interventions to discourage smoking should receive high priority.

Video game addiction and social responsibility

In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that at least a small group of gamers has trouble controlling their online video game playing. Excessive amounts of time spent on playing online video games can be severely disruptive to school, work, and “real life” social contacts. It seems that online games, especially multiplayer online role playing games, are more often associated with video game addiction. Drawing parallels to other industries–such as gambling–which are heavily regulated, the issue of social responsibility of the video game industry is explored. Presently, online video game publishers provide neither referral services nor customer care with regards to video game addiction. In our opinion, a dual approach is necessary. Firstly, consumers should be informed about potential addiction risks that can be attributed to playing online video games. Secondly, game publishers should implement proper referral services. Providing customer care and referral services might be in the best interest of the video game industry at this point, as it may very well prevent revenue restricting governmental intervention. Therefore, taking action on the issue of social responsibility will benefit both the customer–who will be informed and properly referred–and the game industry alike.

Treating Internet Addiction With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Thematic Analysis of the Experiences of Therapists

In 2009, one of the major Dutch addiction care organizations initiated a pilot program to explore the possibility of using an existing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing based treatment program (‘Lifestyle Training’) to treat internet addiction. The current study evaluates this pilot treatment program by providing a qualitative analysis of the experiences of the therapists with the treatment of 12 self-proclaimed internet addicts. Therapists report that the program, which is ordinarily used for substance dependence and pathological gambling, fits the problem of internet addiction quite well. Interventions mainly focused on controlling and reducing internet use, and involved expanding (real life) social contacts, regaining a proper daily structure, constructive use of free time, and reframing beliefs. Therapists further indicated that the treatment achieved some measure of progress for all of the 12 treated patients, while patients reported satisfaction with the treatment and actual behavioral improvements.

Parental and child fruit consumption in the context of general parenting, parental education and ethnic background

This study examines the association between parental and child fruit consumption in the context of general parenting, parental education and ethnic background. A cross-sectional study was performed among 1762 parent-child dyads. Mean age of the children was 8 years. One parent completed a questionnaire to measure their own and their childs fruit consumption, parenting style, education level and ethnicity. In mediation and moderation analyses, child fruit consumption was regressed on parental fruit consumption, parenting style, parental education and ethnicity. Participating children consumed on average 7.5 pieces of fruit per week. Fourteen percent met the recommended Dutch norm of two pieces of fruit per day. Parental and child fruit consumption were positively associated. The association was more pronounced under higher levels of psychological control and behavioural control, and among ethnic groups. Additionally, parental education and child fruit consumption were positively associated. Parental fruit consumption partially mediated this association. Interventions are needed to increase child fruit consumption. Interventions should focus on increasing parental fruit consumption and positive parental modelling, with particular focus on low-SES families. Additionally, interventions that combine positive modelling with positive general parenting skills (e.g. increasing behavioural control) may be more effective than interventions that focus on parental modelling alone.

Associations of Children's Appetitive Traits with Weight and Dietary Behaviours in the Context of General Parenting

Background Individual variations in child weight can be explained by genetic and behavioural susceptibility to obesity. Behavioural susceptibility can be expressed in appetite-related traits, e.g. food responsiveness. Research into such behavioural factors is important, as it can provide starting points for (preventive) interventions. Objectives To examine associations of children’s appetitive traits with weight and with fruit, snack and sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and to examine whether parenting style interacts with appetite in determining child weight/intake. Methods Data were used from 1275 children participating in the INPACT study in 2009–2010, with a mean age of 9 years in 2009. Their height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Parents completed a questionnaire to measure children’s appetitive traits, children’s dietary intake and parenting style. Child BMI z-scores, fruit, snack and sugar-sweetened beverage intake were regressed on appetitive traits. Moderation by parenting style was tested by adding interaction terms to the regression analyses. Results Food-approaching appetitive traits were positively, and food-avoidant appetitive traits were negatively related to child BMI z-scores and to child fruit intake. There were no or less consistent associations for snack and sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Authoritative parenting voided the negative association between food fussiness and fruit intake, while neglecting parenting strengthened the positive association between food-approaching appetitive traits and weight. Conclusions Early assessment of appetitive traits could be used to identify children at risk for overweight. As parenting style can moderate the associations between appetitive traits and weight/intake in a favourable way, parents are a promising target group for preventive interventions aimed at influencing the effect of appetitive traits on children.

Drug Consumption Rooms in Rotterdam: An Explorative Description

The Rotterdam Drug Monitoring System used survey data, fieldnotes and interviews with staff to investigate the functioning of four (out of six) consumption rooms in Rotterdam. The results show that for most drug users, access to the drug consumption room results in less frequent drug use in public places and more time and rest. Pass holders value being able to use drugs safely inside, and make use of the additional services provided, such as refreshments, washing/showering facilities and talking with others about their personal problems. Two ‘weak points’ reported by the drug users are discussed in relation to their personal health situation and public nuisance reduction.

Psychological control by parents is associated with a higher child weight

OBJECTIVEnIn this examination of the association between parenting style and child weight, the neglected concept of psychological control has been added to the generally accepted parenting dimensions support and behavioural control. Also explored is whether the potential association between parenting and child weight is moderated by socio-demographic variables (childs age/ethnicity, and parents education level).nnnMETHODSnA cross-sectional study was performed among 1,665 parent-child dyads. The childrens mean age was 8 years. Their height and weight were measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI). Parents completed a questionnaire to measure the three parenting dimensions. Based on these dimensions, five parenting styles were defined: the authoritative, permissive, authoritarian, neglecting and rejecting parenting style. Child BMI z-scores were regressed on parenting style, adjusting for parental BMI, child ethnicity, and parents education level.nnnRESULTSnRejecting parenting, characterized by high psychological control, low support and low behavioural control, is the only parenting style significantly related to child BMI z-scores (β = 0.074, p < 0.001). The positive association was not moderated by socio-demographic variables.nnnCONCLUSIONSnBy adding the dimension of psychological control to the concept of parenting, this study has further elucidated the mechanisms whereby parenting may affect child weight. Demonstrating that rejecting parenting is associated with a higher child weight, emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies in which parenting style is measured three-dimensionally. Potential mediating effects of parental feeding style and childrens eating style, as well as age moderation, should be included in these studies.

The Internet addiction components model and personality

Internet addiction (IA) appears as potential health problem in various populations.The Internet addiction components model (IACM) typifies IA as behavioral addiction.The construct validity of the IACM is established via a nomological network.The predictive accuracy of personality traits on the IAC factor is verified.The IACM appears as parsimonious tool for initial screening of potential clients. There is growing concern over excessive and sometimes problematic Internet use. Drawing upon the framework of the components model of addiction (Griffiths, 2005), Internet addiction appears as behavioural addiction characterised by the following symptoms: salience, withdrawal, tolerance, mood modification, relapse and conflict. A number of factors have been associated with an increased risk for Internet addiction, including personality traits. The overall aim of this study was to establish the association between personality traits and the Internet addiction components model in order to develop a theoretical framework via a nomological network. Internet addiction and personality traits were assessed in two independent samples of 3105 adolescents in the Netherlands and 2257 university students in England. The results indicate that low agreeableness and high neuroticism/low emotional stability are associated with the Internet addiction components factor in both samples. However, low conscientiousness and low resourcefulness predicted it in the adolescent sample only. The implications include the usage of the Internet addiction components model as parsimonious tool for the initial screening of potential clients in mental health institutes, and identifying populations at risk through their personality traits which may prove advantageous for the initiation of targeted prevention efforts.