Using questionnaire survey generated data from a single school district, this study investigated the effects of family factors, peer factors, school problem behaviors, and psychosocial factors on adolescents' use of or abstinence from alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. Following a review of literature, a theoretical framework incorporating family socialization theory was use to operationalize variables, develop indices, and generate hypotheses to be tested, as well as develop a general model of adolescent alcohol and other drug use and abstinence, incorporating the predictor variables. Using SPSSx procedures, factor analysis was used to develop the indices; the hypotheses were tested using Oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and F-ratio tests associated with regression analysis. The path analysis models were developed using multiple regression analysis and bivariate decomposition tables. For both junior high school students and high school students, users of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs were found to score higher on the Family Factors index, the Peer Factors index, School Problems index, and the Psychosocial Factors index. The model differed between alcohol and marijuana users, defining the conditions under which an adolescent is more likely to use or abstain from marijuana. While both family and peer factors effected the adolescents' choices of use or abstinence, the strongest predictor of use/abstinence was the peer use and attitudes factor. Family factors tended to be stronger in the younger age/grade levels than in the higher age/grade levels, as predicted from the theoretical framework.

No description available.

This study explores the behavior of Swedish gamers regarding microtransactions in the Free-To-Play model. It focuses on their attitudes towards in-game purchases and explores the psychological, ethical, and social factors influencing their engagement. The study used qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews with nine Swedish gamers. The findings reveal that community norms and peer pressure significantly impact microtransaction engagement, especially among younger players. The study also identifies a psychological barrier that, once crossed, triggers increased spending. Furthermore, the research highlights the controversial role of loot boxes, their association with gambling, and the psychological effects they have on players. The results from this study suggest the need for regulatory oversight and ethical monetization practices. Additionally, the study reveals that premium in-game currencies obscure real-world costs, which can impact spending behavior and raise ethical concerns about transparency. The research suggests that game developers and policymakers should prioritize fair and transparent strategies that uphold player autonomy and well-being by considering the complex interplay between player experience, microtransaction design, and ethical considerations.

Text in Afrikaans / Summary in English and Afrikaans / This study analyses the adolescent's peer pressure and the handling thereofby the adolescent, the parents, teachers and educational psychologist. The literature confirms that peer pressure is a multidimensional phenomenon. Certain factors such as the parent's behavioural- and cognitive functioning, the adolescent's social competence and susceptibility to peer pressure influence his compliance to peer pressure. Processes such as identification, internalization, modelling and coercion are involved in this compliance. The implementation of a mentor system and suggested program at school and the teaching of social-, decisionmaking, problemsolving- and selfassertiveness skills will help the adolescent to use peer pressure positively. The educational psychologist can support the adolescent and parents through individual, family and group therapy. / Hierdie studie handel oor die ontleding van portuurgroepdruk by die adolessent en die hantering daarvan deur die adolessent self, die ouers, onderwysers en opvoedkundige sielkundige. Die literatuur bevestig dat portuurgroepdruk 'n komplekse fenomeen met verskeie dimensies is. Verskeie faktore soos die ouers se gedrags- en kognitiewe funksionering, die adolessent se sosiale bekwaamheid en sy vatbaarheid vir portuurgroepdruk bei:nvloed sy toegewing aan portuurgroepdruk. Prosesse soos identifikasie, internalisasie, modellering en dwang is by die toegewing aan portuurgroepdruk betrokke. 'n Voorgestelde program vir die skool, die implementering van 'n portuurmentorprogram en die onderrig van sosiale-, besluitnemings-, probleemoplossings- en selfgeldingsvaardighede kan die adolessent help om portuurgroepdruk te gebruik. Die opvoedkundige sielkundige kan die ouer en adolessent deur individuele-, gesins- en groepterapie bystaan. / Educational Studies / M. Education (Guidance)

Text in Afrikaans / Summary in English and Afrikaans / This study analyses the adolescent's peer pressure and the handling thereofby the adolescent, the parents, teachers and educational psychologist. The literature confirms that peer pressure is a multidimensional phenomenon. Certain factors such as the parent's behavioural- and cognitive functioning, the adolescent's social competence and susceptibility to peer pressure influence his compliance to peer pressure. Processes such as identification, internalization, modelling and coercion are involved in this compliance. The implementation of a mentor system and suggested program at school and the teaching of social-, decisionmaking, problemsolving- and selfassertiveness skills will help the adolescent to use peer pressure positively. The educational psychologist can support the adolescent and parents through individual, family and group therapy. / Hierdie studie handel oor die ontleding van portuurgroepdruk by die adolessent en die hantering daarvan deur die adolessent self, die ouers, onderwysers en opvoedkundige sielkundige. Die literatuur bevestig dat portuurgroepdruk 'n komplekse fenomeen met verskeie dimensies is. Verskeie faktore soos die ouers se gedrags- en kognitiewe funksionering, die adolessent se sosiale bekwaamheid en sy vatbaarheid vir portuurgroepdruk bei:nvloed sy toegewing aan portuurgroepdruk. Prosesse soos identifikasie, internalisasie, modellering en dwang is by die toegewing aan portuurgroepdruk betrokke. 'n Voorgestelde program vir die skool, die implementering van 'n portuurmentorprogram en die onderrig van sosiale-, besluitnemings-, probleemoplossings- en selfgeldingsvaardighede kan die adolessent help om portuurgroepdruk te gebruik. Die opvoedkundige sielkundige kan die ouer en adolessent deur individuele-, gesins- en groepterapie bystaan. / Educational Studies / M. Education (Guidance)

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Prior research has shown that both lead users and opinion leaders may propel the diffusion of innovation. This raises the question of whether lead users and opinion leaders are positioned similarly in social networks, which we address using a sample of 23 school classes consisting of 537 children. Research among children is very scarce in this particular domain. Our statistical analyses based on hierarchical linear modeling reveal two general results: first, lead users among children appear to possess a variety of links between clusters; second, opinion leaders are locally positioned within clusters of children and have many direct links. (authors' abstract)

Adolescence is a time of great exploration and change. During this time, youth are transitioning both biologically and sexually into adults. Adolescents are also testing the boundaries of self-reliance and making choices about their personal relationships. Not surprisingly, aggressive urges are often driven by peers in pursuit of some form of identity (Masten 2004). Peers can have both positive and negative effects on the wellbeing on youth. Peer groups can provide emotional, physical, and social support to youth during a time of immense change (Parker and Asher 1987; Gest, Graham-Berman, and Hartup 2001). Peers can also model delinquent and risk-taking behaviors that have lasting health, social, and economic consequences throughout the life course. In an effort to understand the role of friendships in adolescent health, social scientists have increasingly focused on adolescent network structures within schools and the role various positions and peer group formations influence behaviors such as alcohol and cigarette use, violent and serious delinquency, and sexual risk-taking. While informative, peer networks studies have yet to adequately address how peer network structures based on immigrant generation and types of marginalized social positions influence health risk behavior engagement among adolescents. In three studies, I address the dearth of research in these areas, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The first study investigates the influence of generational peers on alcohol misuse among immigrant youth. Testing hypotheses derived from sociological theories of generations regarding race/ethnicity, gender, and immigrant generation, findings from this study demonstrate generational ties are inversely related to alcohol misuse for immigrants and these effects depend partly on race/ethnicity and gender. The second study investigates the effects of specific network forms of social isolation on heavy episodic drinking and cigarette use among adolescents. The central finding from this study is that different network-based forms of social isolation had varying effects on alcohol and cigarette use when compared to sociable youth. The final study examines the relationship between types of social isolation and violent delinquency when compared to sociable youth. Deriving hypotheses from general strain theory, I test whether the isolation-violence relationship varies across isolation types when compared to sociable youth. I also test whether other negative experiences and circumstances (strains) tied to adolescence moderate the relationship between isolation types and violent delinquency. Finally, studies indicate a consistent gender gap in criminality. Therefore, I test whether the isolation-violence relationship differs by gender. Findings demonstrate that socially disinterested youth show a greater capacity for violent behavior, but other types of marginalized youth showed no difference in violence when compared to sociable youth. Results also suggest that some types of strain moderate the isolation-violence relationship and that these patterns are gendered.

Dagens teknologiska utveckling har bidragit till vårt mediaintensiva samhälle som iallt större utsträckning har övergått till ett konsumtionssamhälle. Trots Sverigesrestriktioner gällande marknadsföring riktat till barn, står barn för stora delar avlandets konsumtion, vilket inte minst förstärkts genom internets utveckling. Dagensbarn är rikare än någon annan generation genom tiderna, vilket är något företag i daguppmärksammat vid utformandet av marknadsföring och produkter. Varumärken harfått en större betydelse på den konkurrenssatta marknaden, inte minst bland barn.Uppsatsens syfte är att identifiera och fördjupa diskussionen kring barnskonsumtionsmönster i yngre åldrar. Uppsatsen belyser den varumärkesmedvetenhetsom råder i åldrarna 6-10, samt identifierar likheter respektive skillnader gällandebarns relation till klädmärken.Studiens huvudsakliga teorier är varumärkesvärde, visual literacy och grupptryck,vilka sammankopplas med den insamlade empirin för att svara på hur barns relationtill klädmärken ser ut. Ett företags varumärkesvärde förklaras genom en vedertagenmodell tillämpad på vuxna, som sedan utvecklas för att undersöka huruvida den kanappliceras på barn. Studien är av kvalitativ typ och grundas i ett tillvägagångssätt därteoretiskt och empiriskt material sammankopplats. Den empiriska insamlingenutfördes på en skola med elever från förskolan till årskurs fyra och bestod avgruppintervjuer, bilduppgifter och observationer.Barn i åldrarna 6-10 är mycket varumärkesmedvetna och varumärken påverkar dem idess vardag mer än vad de själva förstår. Deras medvetenhet samt förmåga attåterkalla varumärken från minnet, både muntligt och bildligt, ökar i takt med att barnblir äldre. Visual literacy spelar en betydande roll i barns relation till varumärken,vilket sker på ett emotionellt plan. Föräldrar påverkar barns relation till varumärkenoch då främst genom en rationell synvinkel. Endast de äldre barnen diskuterarklädinköp utifrån pris, vilket tyder på att de ser sig själva som konsumenter.Majoriteten barn bestämmer själva vad de tar på sig, men det är betydligt färre sombestämmer vad som ska inhandlas eller i vilken affär det ska göras. Dock påverkar deflesta barn klädinköp. Barn tycker unikhet och bekvämlighet, gällande klädval ärviktigt, men indirekt kan vi genomskåda att varumärken stärker den socialatillhörigheten hos barn och att bli socialt accepterad är en viktig del i barns liv.The technological developments of today have in many ways contributed to themedia-intensive society of ours, emphasizing consumption habits. Despite Sweden’sadvertisement restrictions concerning children, they contribute to large parts of thecountry’s consumption, which is particularly enhanced by the expansion of Internet.Children today are better off than previous generations, which companies today takeadvantage of when customizing marketing activities as well as designing products.Branded products are increasingly of greater importance, since the market place ismore competitive than ever, especially among children.The purpose of this study is to identify and develop the discussion concerning youngchildren’s relationship with brands. The aim is to highlight brand awareness amongchildren aged 6-10, as well as to identify similarities and differences in children’srelationship to brands.The main theories, which the study is based upon, are: brand equity, visual literacyand peer pressure, which are all engaged with empirical data, to further explainchildren’s relationship to brands. A company’s brand equity is explained using anadult-based model, which then is modified, attempting to explain whether or not it canbe applied on children. It is an qualitative study incorporating theoretical andempirical data. The empirical data was collected at a primary school and consisted ofinterviews, observations, as well as imagery exercises.Children aged 6-10 are very brand conscious and more affected by brands than theyrealize. Children’s awareness and ability to recall brand names from memory,verbally and figuratively, increase as children get older. Visual literacy plays asignificant role in the child’s relationship to brands, which is mainly of emotionalmanner. Parents influence the children’s relationship to brands, primarily through arational point of view. Only the older children discuss purchase of clothing based onprice, suggesting that they see themselves as consumers. Most children decidethemselves what to wear, but a lot fewer decide what and where to purchase clothing.All though, nearly all children influence the purchasing decision. Children consideruniqueness and comfort as important elements of clothing, but simultaneously we candistinguish that brands strengthens children’s social affiliation, and to be sociallyaccepted is an important part of children’s life. / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen