ALMA Addictions, Learnings Mechanisms, and Alienation

EU Collaborative Project (large-scale integrating project)
In co-operation with: Charité Berlin

Abstract (engl.)
To enhance understanding on how the development of addictions and lifestyles throughout adolescence and young adulthood in European societies is related to different individual, social and economic determinants, this project proposes a multidisciplinary and triangulative approach. Due to the large sample size of a large-scale quantitative data collection, an internationally applicable typology of alienation and addiction will be established. The analysis of a subsample by using experimental and qualitative research tools will depict individual determinants of addiction and behavioural border-line disorders (including cognition, learning etc.) and links between addictions, depression and brain-processes. Implementing this design on a multinational level enables the research group to identify differences (solid data) of social and economic determinants between and within the partner countries such as cultural definitions of addictions, norms, values, traditions and health care systems (including the role of health and medical professions). Economic and legal aspects will be analysed in expert and qualitative interviews, focus groups and group discussions with relevant communities (stakeholders, practitioners, persons concerned) to understand the growing problem of addictions from a multifactorial perspective and to identify successful strategies to foster individuals´ autonomy and performance. Prevention and intervention models of best practice will be identified by using the Delphi Method. Based on these results a school based prevention programm, which includes the production and dissemination of short films and public services announcements (PSA), will be developed and piloted. To present the main results (including guidelines and recommendations), successful prevention and intervention concepts and to initiate and establish an interactive exchange between industry, science, public health care and policy European Networking Congresses will be organized. Concept and Objectives