Trajectories of indirect aggression

Abstract : Though conceptually distinct from other behavior problems, indirect aggression (IA) is correlated with physical aggression and is linked to oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder from childhood to adolescence. Thus, IA could be part of the clinical picture of children with identified conduct problems (CP). However, trajectories of IA have not been studied in children with CP. In the present study, we evaluated and compared the mean trajectory of IA from 7 to 14 years of age in children with (n = 328;47.6% girls) and without (n = 320; 51.3% girls) early clinically significant CP using both parent and teacher ratings. We then examined if sub-groups of children distinguished themselves by their use of IA over time and tested for sex differences. Latent growth models showed that children with CP used IA at higher rates over time than children without CP. Regardless of this higher frequency, the use of IA in both groups of children was best described by down-turned curvilinear trajectories peaking at 10 years of age. Growth mixture models showed that children without CP, according to parent and teacher ratings, and children with CP, according to parent ratings, both followed two trajectories of IA over time, with, respectively, 10% to 14% of them following a high trajectory. As for sex differences, the use of IA of boys and girls without CP did not differ, but differences emerged for children with CP, with girls using IA more frequently. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed

Mid-morning Break and Poster Sessions: Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour within School-Based Prevention Programs for Adolescent Gambling

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of anticipatory negative emotions have attracted considerable research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of control, anticipation of negative emotions) as valid predictors of gambling intentions and behaviour. However, no empirical investigation has utilized these constructs in the design or evaluation of a youth problem gambling prevention initiative. Objectives. The current research aims to assess the effects of a prevention video on gambling-related attitudes, subjective norms, control perceptions, anticipated negative emotions, and intentions. The video focuses on a problem gambler’s testimonial and includes dramatic vignettes depicting the potential risks and consequences associated with excessive gambling. Methodology. A sample of 328 high school students were randomly assigned to either a video or control group. Participants were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Results. Preliminary results reveal that the video produced changes in students’: (i) attitudes towards; (ii) perceptions of control over and; (iii) negative anticipatory emotions following excessive participation in gambling. Individuals receiving the intervention were observed to have a significant decreases in positive attitudes toward gambling as well as perceptions of control over gambling, and a significant increase in their anticipation of negative emotions for becoming over-involved in gambling. Conclusions. Positive effects of the video were found. Recommendations for future research are discussed

Session 3-1-C: Gambling Behaviors Among American College Student-Athletes: Results from the 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association Study

Why Is the NCAA Concerned about Student-Athlete Gambling? Student-athlete well-being Contest integrit

Longitudinal predictors of family violence and parenting style : a study of high-risk individuals

Numerous researchers have suggested that an aggressive behavioural style is more stable over time in boys than girls. This literature has recently been called into question by studies demonstrating that girls' styles of expressing aggression may be different from boys', and that aggression may occur in different contexts for males and females across the life course. The present study explored longitudinal predictors of self-reported family violence and parenting styles in men and women with childhood histories that placed them at high-risk for various psycho-social problems. Three main questions are addressed: (a) Within a high-risk sample, to what extent can we use participants' past histories of aggression and withdrawal to predict spousal and parental violence and parenting style? (b) Can we make the same predictions for both men and women? and (c) What are the developmental and current life variables that favor/hinder the development and practice of violence in the home and positive parenting strategies

Teacher Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Adolescent Risk Behaviours : a Sample of Finnish Middle and High School Teachers

Empirical evidence has shown that youth gamble on both regulated and unregulated games, despite legislative prohibitions. This study assesses middle and high school teachers' awareness and attitudes regarding adolescent gambling and other potentially high-risk behaviours in Finland. A convenience sample of teachers (N = 157) from 13 provinces participated in the survey. The results suggest that teachers in Finland were more knowledgeable of the age limits of other adolescent high-risk behaviours than the legal age for gambling. Teachers were somewhat familiar with the behaviours and consequences associated with adolescent gambling. All other risk behaviours were perceived as being more important than gambling. Teachers' awareness about gambling prevention material in Finnish schools was limited. Results suggest that initiatives are required to enhance teachers' knowledge of adolescent problem gambling and its harmful short- and long-term consequences. School policies and guidelines including gambling behavior should be implemented in middle and high schools globally.Peer reviewe

Influence du quartier résidentiel et des problèmes de comportement extériorisés sur le rendement scolaire des adolescents

This study investigates if the socio-economic composition, as well as the physical and social disorder of neighbourhoods, were associated with academic performance among Quebec school children, with and without conduct problems, aged 12 to 15 (N = 630). In particular, the moderating role of conduct problems was explored. Findings indicated that physical and social disorder, along with the percentage of low-income individuals in the neighbourhood, were associated with some aspects of academic performance. Conduct problems did, however, moderate between neighbourhood variables and school performance. The implications of these findings will also be discussed.Cette étude vérifie si la composition et l’organisation sociale du quartier résidentiel sont associées au rendement scolaire d’élèves québécois âgés de 12 à 15 ans (N = 630). L’effet modérateur des problèmes de comportement extériorisés sur ces associations est aussi analysé. Les résultats montrent que le désordre physique et social du quartier ainsi que son niveau de désavantage socioéconomique sont associés à des aspects du rendement scolaire des élèves au-delà de leurs caractéristiques familiales et individuelles. La présence de problèmes de comportement chez les jeunes modère cependant certaines de ces associations. Ces résultats sont discutés en fonction des retombées pour la pratique

Exploring the Utility of an Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour Framework for School-Based Gambling Prevention Programs

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAE) have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAE as valid predictors of gambling behaviours and problems among young people (Martin et al., 2010, 2011; St-Pierre et al., 2015). However, no empirical investigation has utilized all of these constructs in the design or evaluation of an adolescent problem gambling preventive intervention. The current research aimed to assess the efficacy of targeting NAE and key TPB constructs in a prevention video for modifying gambling beliefs, intentions and behaviours. A sample of 280 high school students were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control condition. Participants were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at three-month follow-up. Results suggest that the video, delivered as a universal preventive intervention, may be insufficient for modifying NAE and other TPB key constructs, or for changing gambling behaviours over time. Important implications of the findings for future research and prevention work are discussed

De l’agressivité à la maternité. Étude longitudinale sur 30 ans auprès de filles agressives devenues mères : trajectoires de leur agressivité durant l’enfance, indicateurs de leurs caractéristiques parentales et développement de leurs enfants

L’agressivité chez les filles tend à ne pas se manifester de la même façon que chez les garçons ; de plus, elle suit une trajectoire longitudinale particulière. Les filles agressives envers leurs pairs ne se caractérisent pas tant par leurs manifestations de délinquance et de criminalité ; elles s’orientent plutôt vers une trajectoire de troubles sociaux et de santé mentale qui, à terme, compromet leur avenir scolaire, social et professionnel, de même que leur état de santé physique. Les compétences parentales des filles agressives, de même que le fonctionnement de leur famille, peuvent aussi être affectées ; dans ce cas, c’est la socialisation, la santé et le développement de toute une nouvelle génération d’enfants qui sont menacés. La Concordia Longitudinal Risk Project (Enquête longitudinale sur les risques, Université Concordia) suit un échantillon intergénérationnel de 1 770 sujets vivant à Montréal, dont un sous-échantillon de plus de 200 filles dites très agressives, et le compare avec un échantillon de garçons agressifs et un groupe témoin composé d’enfants des deux sexes. Les participants sont suivis de l’enfance à l’âge adulte sur une période de 30 ans. Le présent article décrit les trajectoires à long terme des filles agressives et les conséquences de cette agressivité sur une large variété d’éléments psychosociaux et de santé comme la maternité et la transmission des risques à la prochaine génération. Plus particulièrement, nous souhaitons : (1) établir les trajectoires des filles qui mènent de l’agressivité dans l’enfance au développement négatif à l’âge adulte, (2) établir les indicateurs de santé et les facteurs physiologiques connexes qui comportent des risques pour les filles agressives et leurs enfants et (3) évaluer comment l’agressivité à l’enfance se répercute sur le rôle maternel et le développement de la prochaine génération. Enfin, les retombées de nos conclusions seront discutées.Childhood aggression in girls may take different forms and follow different longitudinal trajectories from those typical of aggressive boys. Even when overt delinquency and criminality are avoided, girls who are aggressive towards their peers may follow a life course involving continuing social and mental health problems. From a longterm perspective, academic, social, health, and occupational achievement are likely to be negatively affected. Family functioning and parenting abilities may also be compromised, placing the offspring of these girls, a subsequent generation, at risk for social, health, and developmental problems. The Concordia Longitudinal Risk Project, which follows an intergenerational sample of 1770 inner-city Montrealers, includes a sub-sample of over 200 highly aggressive girls, with comparison groups of aggressive boys and normative children of both genders. Participants have been followed over a 30-year period, from childhood into adulthood. The present paper describes the long-term trajectories and sequelae of girlhood aggression in the context of a broad range of negative psychosocial and health outcomes, including parenting and the inter generational transfer of risk to offspring. More specifically, (1) trajectories by which childhood aggression places girls at risk for negative developmental outcomes are outlined, (2) health behaviours and physiological correlates that signify risk to aggressive girls and their offspring are delineated, and (3) pathways through which girlhood aggression influences parenting and offspring development are elucidated. Implications of these findings are 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