The longitudinal association between externalizing and internalizing problems : an exploration of the Dual Failure Model

Abstract : The Dual Failure Model suggests that peer victimization (social failure) and academic difficulties (academic failure) mediate the association between externalizing and later internalizing problems. The present study sought to better understand why children with externalizing problems develop later internalizing problems by testing the Dual Failure Model using a sample of 744 children (aged 6 to 10 at Time 1 [T1]), of whom 434 (44.7% girls) presented with high levels of conduct problems at study inception. Both parent and teacher ratings of externalizing and internalizing problems support the social failure pathway, but not the academic failure pathway. Children with externalizing behaviors at T1 who developed internalizing problems 2 years later did so via their experiences of peer victimization. These results apply for both boys and girls and do not vary according to child age at T1 or the level of conduct problems at study inception. These findings underscore the importance of early screening and intervention for externalizing behavioral problems in order to reduce subsequent peer victimization and internalizing problems. Findings regarding the consequences of internalizing are also discussed

Early Initiation into Gambling Among Boys and Girls with Conduct Problems: A Prospective Study

Context. Both early initiation into gambling (Rahman et al., 2012; Slutske et al., 2014) and conduct problems (Welte et al., 2009, 2011) have been identified as independent risk factors for later gambling problems. However, few longitudinal studies have examined the associations between these two risk factors, as well as their predictive relationship with gambling initiation among children and adolescents. Research Question. Are conduct problems a risk factor for early initiation into gambling, over and above other known risk factors? Method. This study used data from an ongoing prospective, longitudinal study at the Université de Sherbrooke in order to examine gambling initiation among primary school-aged boys and girls with early conduct problems. Children ages 6 -9 years were recruited from several low-SES public schools in several regions of Quebec, Canada. A strength of the study is the roughly equal proportion of boys and girls with conduct problems, as well as the presence of a matched control group of children with no conduct problems. Gambling initiation was measured between 2 - 4 years later. Results. Regression analyses showed that the relationship between conduct problems and initiation into gambling remained even after child internalizing problems, child academic performance, child executive functioning, and parental and child substance use were controlled for. Implications. Results confirm that both boys and girls with conduct problems are a high risk group for early initiation into gambling. Given these findings, implications for future research and prevention activities specifically for young children with early conduct problems will be discussed

Re-evaluation of blood mercury, lead and cadmium concentrations in the Inuit population of Nunavik (Québec): a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Arctic populations are exposed to mercury, lead and cadmium through their traditional diet. Studies have however shown that cadmium exposure is most often attributable to tobacco smoking. The aim of this study is to examine the trends in mercury, lead and cadmium exposure between 1992 and 2004 in the Inuit population of Nunavik (Northern Québec, Canada) using the data obtained from two broad scale health surveys, and to identify sources of exposure in 2004.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 2004, 917 adults aged between 18 and 74 were recruited in the 14 communities of Nunavik to participate to a broad scale health survey. Blood samples were collected and analysed for metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and dietary and life-style characteristics were documented by questionnaires. Results were compared with data obtained in 1992, where 492 people were recruited for a similar survey in the same population.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean blood concentration of mercury was 51.2 nmol/L, which represent a 32% decrease (p < 0.001) between 1992 and 2004. Mercury blood concentrations were mainly explained by age (partial r²= 0.20; p < 0.0001), and the most important source of exposure to mercury was marine mammal meat consumption (partial r²= 0.04; p < 0.0001). In 2004, mean blood concentration of lead was 0.19 μmol/L and showed a 55% decrease since 1992. No strong associations were observed with any dietary source, and lead concentrations were mainly explained by age (partial r²= 0.20.; p < 0.001). Blood cadmium concentrations showed a 22% decrease (p < 0.001) between 1992 and 2004. Once stratified according to tobacco use, means varied between 5.3 nmol/L in never-smokers and 40.4 nmol/L in smokers. Blood cadmium concentrations were mainly associated with tobacco smoking (partial r²= 0.56; p < 0.0001), while consumption of caribou liver and kidney remain a minor source of cadmium exposure among never-smokers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Important decreases in mercury, lead and cadmium exposure were observed. Mercury decrease could be explained by dietary changes and the ban of lead cartridges use likely contributed to the decrease in lead exposure. Blood cadmium concentrations remain high and, underscoring the need for intensive tobacco smoking prevention campaigns in the Nunavik population.</p

Times to Treatment in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at Laval Hospital

Background:Current guidelines for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommend performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 90 min of hospital arrival. However, recent data suggest that, in a real-world setting, median door-to-balloon (DTB) time is closer to 180 minfor transferred patients with no more than 4 % of patients treated within 90 min. We conducted this retrospective observational study to assess time to treatment in patients undergoing primary PCI at Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (QHLI). Methods: Consecutive lytic-eligible patients undergoing primary PCI at QHLI for STEMI between April 2004 and March 2004 were included in the present analysis. The primary evaluation was DTB time measured from arrival at the first hospital to first balloon inflation. Clinical outcomes consisted of in-hospital death, reinfarction and bleeding. DTB times and hospital outcomes of patients transferred from referring hospitals were compared to patients presenting directly to QHLI. Results: During the study period, 203 lytic-eligible patients were treated with primary PCI and included in the present analysis. Sixty-nine patients presented directly to QHLI and 134 were transferred from other Quebec City hospitals. The median DTB time was 114 min in transferred patients, compared with 87 min for patients presenting directly to QHLI [P < 0.001]. DTB time wa