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BACKGROUND - We examined the Finnish concept of “nikotiiniriippuvuus” (nicotine addiction or dependency in English) in two public arenas in recent Finnish history (1970s, 1990s and 2000s). One was the biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, the other the medical professional journal Lääkärilehti. DATA & DESIGN - A total of 102 print press items from the 1990s and the 2000s were collected through electronic archives with the search word “nikotiiniriippuvuus”. In addition, 41 texts were collected manually from the 1970s. RESULTS - Of the items from the 1970s, only three mentioned the concept of “riippuvuus”. Overall, we found that the use of “nikotiiniriippuvuus” has increased greatly over time. In order to know more about the implications of this, we identified some themes as meaning-making traits surrounding the concept in the materials. The analysis points to four main meaning-making functions of the concept: i) agenda-setting, ii) introducing and explaining self-governance techniques, iii) introducing a medical understanding, and iv), mediating views on responsibility division.

The study examines how persons in a close relationship with a gamer of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) perceive relationship problems caused by the gaming hobby. Revisiting the concept of pure relationships by Anthony Giddens, we analysed eight deep interviews with persons who claim their relationship with the gamer had ended or turned downhill due to the volume of the gaming. The study formulates a conception of the clashes of interest in areas of (1) situational clashes in everyday choreography, (2) shifts in long view prioritizing, (3) deficient communication and (4) understandings of self and autonomy in relation to gaming and relationship. These conceptual paths serve to understand the problems from a sociological perspective. On a more general level, the study demonstrates the timeliness in devoting attention to the premises under which intimacy and commitment are negotiated in offline and online relationship constellations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are graphical virtual environments in which gamers interact with each other through avatars many hours a day on a daily basis. The most widely accepted criterion of problematic variants of the gaming is the amount of time spent on the games. In this study, we show that time use might not be a very adequate measurement of the extent of the problem. We have analyzed an interview material with 17 (=n) gamers, and 115 (=n) applications to a gamers’ guild, identifying gamers’ perception of time and temporality. Firstly, our study shows that time spent on gaming varies a lot over time depending on other life activities and the overall life situation of the gamer. Secondly, our study indicates that due to the nature of the activity, gamers can develop time management skills over time. Concrete techniques to enjoy the flow of the game, but still function well in other life spheres involve, for example, economizing other activities, setting alarm clocks, and schedule “gaming binges.” We also discuss some conceptual differences made between serious leisure, on the one hand, and addiction, on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide variety of potential pathways to problem gambling have been put forward in previous research. However, cultural differences in the understandings of these pathways have not been previously considered. This article utilises group interview data collected from self-identified recreational gamblers in two different cultural contexts, Finland and France, to study the underlying cultural understandings of the processes of problem gambling. Pathways relating to the structural and the individual level as well as to players and games were found in both cultural contexts, but the French emphasised a biological proneness for gambling problems while the Finns highlighted the importance of knowing how to deal with wins and losses in gambling situations. The Finnish respondents were more prone to put forward individual responsibility for gambling problems while for the French gambling problems were considered a medical condition beyond individual control. The results confirm that the cultural and institutional context influencing these understandings should be accommodated in any model considering the pathways leading to problem gambling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]