Les conduites à risques des jeunes sont au centre des politiques de santé publique actuelles. Afin de tenter de prévenir leur occurrence, il semble important d’en comprendre les origines. Dans cette logique, ce travail doctoral s’intéresse aux facteurs psychologiques de vulnérabilité à la consommation d’alcool et aux troubles alimentaires subcliniques chez les jeunes. Plus spécifiquement, il appréhende les influences de l’attachement parental, la personnalité et l’alexithymie sur ces conduites au travers de modèles complexes. Trois études ont été mises en place. La première a permis d’explorer le rôle de l’attachement parental et du concept de soi dans la consommation d’alcool des adolescents (N = 245). La seconde a souligné les effets directs et indirects de l’attachement parental, la personnalité et l’alexithymie sur la consommation d’alcool et les troubles alimentaires subcliniques au sein d’une population d’étudiants sportifs (N = 434). La troisième a mis en évidence l’existence de relations directes et indirectes entre l’attachement parental, les facettes de la personnalité, l’alexithymie et les troubles alimentaires subcliniques des athlètes de haut niveau (N = 275). Les résultats révèlent que les comportements risqués des jeunes sont liés à un attachement parental insécurisé et à des difficultés dans l’identification et la description de leurs émotions. La consommation d’alcool est associée à un faible caractère consciencieux alors que les troubles alimentaires subcliniques sont liés à un névrosisme élevé. Plus précisément, l’attachement parental insécurisé favorise la consommation d’alcool au travers de son influence sur le caractère consciencieux et la régulation des affects. Ce type d’attachement contribue également à l’occurrence des troubles alimentaires des sportifs en induisant un névrosisme élevé, et plus particulièrement une forte impulsivité chez les athlètes de haut niveau. / Risk-taking behaviours of young people are issues that need to be addressed. Understanding their origins could prevent them from wide spreading. Consequently, this thesis focused on the psychological factors of vulnerability to alcohol use and subclinical eating disorders amongst young people. More specifically, we examined the influences of parental attachment, personality characteristics and alexithymia on these risk-taking behaviours through different models. Three studies have been carried out. The first one aimed to assess the role of the parental attachment and self-concept in alcohol use of adolescents (N = 245). The second one identified direct and indirect effects of parental attachment, personality characteristics and alexithymia on alcohol use and subclinical eating disorders amongst a sample of student athletes (N = 434). The third study emphasized the direct and indirect relationships between parental attachment, personality facets, alexithymia and subclinical eating disorders amongst a sample of elite athletes (N = 275). The findings provided evidence that risk-taking behaviours of young people were linked with an insecure parental attachment and difficulties in identifying and describing their feelings. Alcohol use was related to low conscientiousness whereas subclinical eating disorders were related to high neuroticism. Insecure parental attachment influenced alcohol use through its influence on conscientiousness and difficulties in identifying one’s feelings. Finally insecure attachment influenced subclinical eating disorders through high neuroticism, and specifically high impulsivity amongst elite athletes.Key words: alcohol use, subclinical eating disorders, parental attachment, alexithymia, personality factors, adolescents, student athletes, elite athletes.

Rapid escalation of Subclinical Eating Disorders (SED) in the form of high levels of body–dissatisfaction (BD) and drive for thinness (DT) globally and locally, and the at–risk status of university females are underscored by recent studies. As yet there exists no South African program tailored to the needs of afflicted female students and which includes a risk–protective focus grounded in Positive Psychology theory. In this chapter a theoretical overview on the nature and definition of SED, its prevalence and the rationale for a risk–protective focus grounded in Positive Psychology theory are provided. Thereafter three preliminary South African studies, namely two correlation studies (De Pãz Fransisco, 2007; Kirsten, Du Plessis & Swanepoel, 2010) and the Weight Over–concern and Well–being program of Kirsten, Du Plessis and Du Toit (2007) are discussed. Findings of these preliminary studies highlight the promise of utilizing Positive Psychology theoretical approaches to practically significantly reduce risk factors and promote protective factors. As such, Well–being therapy (Fava & Ruini, 2003) that promotes the six dimensions of psychological well–being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), and Self–Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) that can promote true self–esteem in the form of self–determination and mindfulness (Kabat–Zinn, 1998), with its inherent self–compassion, kindness and self–forgiving manner, show promise. More in–depth studies with larger samples are however needed. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Rapid escalation of Subclinical Eating Disorders (SED) in the form of high levels of body–dissatisfaction (BD) and drive for thinness (DT) globally and locally, and the at–risk status of university females are underscored by recent studies. As yet there exists no South African program tailored to the needs of afflicted female students and which includes a risk–protective focus grounded in Positive Psychology theory. In this chapter a theoretical overview on the nature and definition of SED, its prevalence and the rationale for a risk–protective focus grounded in Positive Psychology theory are provided. Thereafter three preliminary South African studies, namely two correlation studies (De Pãz Fransisco, 2007; Kirsten, Du Plessis & Swanepoel, 2010) and the Weight Over–concern and Well–being program of Kirsten, Du Plessis and Du Toit (2007) are discussed. Findings of these preliminary studies highlight the promise of utilizing Positive Psychology theoretical approaches to practically significantly reduce risk factors and promote protective factors. As such, Well–being therapy (Fava & Ruini, 2003) that promotes the six dimensions of psychological well–being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), and Self–Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) that can promote true self–esteem in the form of self–determination and mindfulness (Kabat–Zinn, 1998), with its inherent self–compassion, kindness and self–forgiving manner, show promise. More in–depth studies with larger samples are however needed. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.