R.J.J.M. van den Eijnden

The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS): Some Psychometric Properties

The present study aimed to develop a short, easily administered, psychometrically sound, and valid instrument to assess the severity of compulsive Internet use. A set of criteria was determined based on the addiction literature. Next, the internal consistency and convergent validity were determined, and the set was tested as a one-factor solution in two representative samples of heavy Internet users (n = 447 and n = 229) and in one large convenience sample of regular Internet users (n = 16,925). In these three studies, respondents were asked about their online behavior and about problems related to Internet use. In the first study, the Online Cognition Scale (OCS) was included to determine concurrent validity. The newly developed Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) contains 14 items ratable on a 5-point Likert scale. The instrument showed good factorial stability across time and across different samples and subsamples. The internal consistency is high, and high correlations with concurrent and criterion variables demonstrate good validity.

Is compulsive internet use related to sensitivity to reward and punishment, and impulsivity?

Aim of the present study was to examine whether the personality correlates sensitivity to reward and to punishment, and impulsivity predict compulsive internet use (CIU). Furthermore, the predictive value of these personality correlates was compared to the predictive value of factors relating to psychosocial wellbeing. The results showed that particularly rash spontaneous impulsivity predicts CIU and that this personality factor is more important than psychosocial wellbeing factors. Sensitivity to reward, which is supposed to play a role in craving processes associated with substance abuse and eating disorders, could not be related to CIU. The data suggest that internet users who are characterized by an impulsive personality feature, are less able to control their use of the internet, which makes them more vulnerable to develop CIU.

Socioeconomic Differences in Alcohol-Specific Parenting Practices and Adolescents’ Drinking Patterns

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent alcohol-specific parenting practices relate to adolescents’ alcohol use, binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems, and whether these associations are moderated by socioeconomic status (SES), i.e. parents’ education level and family income. The present data were collected within the framework of a representative study on alcohol use among Dutch students. The present findings are based on data from respondents who had been drinking in the past year (81.5%), and of whom one of the parents had filled out a short questionnaire including SES characteristics (52%). The sample consisted of 1,344 adolescents. Adolescents were approached in a school setting; parents received a short questionnaire at the home address. The results show that applying strict rules about alcohol use and having qualitative good conversations about drinking alcohol seem to prevent adolescents from heavy drinking patterns, whereas parental alcohol use seems to promote adolescents’ drinking. A positive association was found between frequency of alcohol communication and availability of alcohol at home on the one hand and adolescents’ drinking on the other. Some moderating effects of SES were found.

The impact of peer and parental norms and behavior on adolescent drinking: The role of drinker prototypes

Research on determinants of adolescents’ images or prototypes of drinking peers has demonstrated that parents and peers can influence the formation of drinker prototypes. It has also been shown that drinker prototypes mediate relations between peer and parental drinking behaviors and norms, and adolescent alcohol use. The current study examined this issue by taking into account the reciprocal relationship between drinker prototypes and alcohol consumption. Furthermore, these issues were studied for adolescents with and without drinking experience. For this purpose, longitudinal data were gathered among 1956 Dutch adolescents (12–16 years). Structural modeling analyses revealed significant effects of drinker prototypes on future alcohol use among both abstaining and drinking adolescents. Among drinking adolescents, the impact of peer and parental norms on adolescents’ alcohol use was mediated by drinker prototypes. Among adolescents with no drinking experience, drinker prototypes also affected future alcohol use. However, these effects were less important than the direct impact of peer and parental drinking. In sum, the present study revealed that prototypes mediate the influence of peer and parental norms on adolescents’ alcohol use, but only in adolescents who already have drinking experience. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Relative Contribution of Smoker Prototypes in Predicting Smoking among Adolescents: A Comparison with Factors from the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background:It has frequently been suggested that adolescents are more likely to start smoking when they hold favorable social images or prototypes of smoking peers. Although empirical evidence supports the role of smoker prototypes in predicting smoking, little is known about the relative contribution of smoker prototypes, in comparison to more well-established social cognitive factors. Therefore, the present study investigated the relative impact of smoker prototypes, in comparison to factors of the theory of planned behavior, in predicting smoking among adolescents. Methods: A three-wave prospective study was conducted among 612 Dutch 8th grade students (aged 12–13 years). Questionnaires were administered and adolescents were followed during one year. Results: The results indicate that smoker prototypes are predictive of adolescent smoking behavior. Adolescents who believe that smoking peers are sociable more frequently engage in smoking behavior. Moreover, adolescents who hold the image that smoking peers are rebellious are less inclined to engage in smoking. These prototype factors predict a significant proportion of variance in smoking status, over and above the components of the theory of planned behavior. Conclusion: The findings of the present study are interesting because they suggest that intervening on the level of smoker prototypes may contribute to the effectiveness of current programs aiming at the prevention of adolescents’ smoking behavior.

Smoking-specific cognitions and smoking behaviour among adolescents with asthma

Several studies have shown that the prevalence of smoking among adolescents with asthma is similar or even higher than among non-asthmatic adolescents. To design effective interventions, the predictors of smoking among adolescents with asthma need to be identified. This is the first study investigating the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) among adolescents with asthma. An extended TPB model, also including risk perceptions and perceived prevalence of smoking, was tested in a national, cross-sectional sample of 713 adolescents with (self-reported) current asthma and 7140 non-asthmatic controls. No differences in the level of smoking-specific cognitions were found (except for perceived risk of lung affections). However, the effect of having pro-smoking cognitions (e.g. a positive attitude) on smoking was stronger for adolescents with asthma than for non-asthmatic adolescents. Therefore, smoking prevention programs based on the TPB, designed for changing cognitions, could be of extra importance for adolescents with asthma.

Depressive mood and smoking onset: A comparison of adolescents with and without asthma

This prospective population-based study aimed to compare associations between depressive feelings and smoking behaviour of adolescents with and without asthma. Data were collected from a two-wave 22–24 months prospective study among 5938 adolescents who completed self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses showed that depressive feelings and smoking were related both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Smoking behaviour was similar for adolescents with and without asthma, as well as its correlation with depressive feelings. However, participants with asthma were more likely to report depressive feelings than those without asthma, implying an indirect relationship between asthma and smoking behaviour. Implications for prevention are addressed.

Adolescents' movement towards cessation of smoking: Role and relative value of the processes of change and nicotine dependence

The present study addresses the applicability of the Transtheoretical Models processes of change in explaining adolescents’ readiness to quit smoking. Furthermore, the association between nicotine dependence and readiness to quit was assessed both directly, as well as indirectly through the processes of change. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, identifying 1547 weekly smokers aged 14–18 years. Structural equation modelling showed that the processes of change were only marginally associated with readiness to quit. Adding nicotine dependence to the model showed a direct association between nicotine dependence and readiness to quit. Only one process of change, self-liberation (i.e. choice/commitment to change and belief in the ability to change), was found to mediate this association. Nicotine dependence appeared to be highly important in adolescents’ readiness to quit.

Waarom jongeren beginnen met roken en drinken: de rol van imago

Als je mensen vraagt waarom ze denken dat jongeren beginnen met roken en drinken, is het antwoord vaak dat jongeren dit stoer of ‘cool’ vinden. Jongeren zelf zijn het hier niet altijd mee eens. Toch zou je kunnen stellen dat er aan roken en drinken een bepaald imago kleeft. Mensen hebben vaak een uitgesproken beeld van een bepaald type roker of drinker. Informatie over deze typen rokers en drinkers komt bijvoorbeeld van films en reclames of uit de directe sociale omgeving. De vraag is echter of het imago van rokers en drinkers daadwerkelijk een rol speelt bij het beginnen met roken en drinken onder jongeren. In dit artikel wordt beschreven wat er tot op heden bekend is over dit onderwerp. Daarbij wordt niet alleen ingegaan op de relatie tussen het imago van rokers en drinkers en het rook- en drinkgedrag van jongeren, maar ook op de onderliggende processen. Tot besluit wordt kort beschreven wat er bekend is over de mogelijkheden om denkbeelden over rokers en drinkers te veranderen.