Insights Into Aspects Behind Internet-Related Disorders in Adolescents: The Interplay of Personality and Symptoms of Adjustment Disorders

The relationship between self-cohesion and smartphone addiction: the mediating role of rejection sensitivity

Background

The increasing use of smartphones with attractive applications has yielded concerns over problematic overuse, also called smartphone addiction, thus creating a need to investigate the antecedents and pathways of this addiction.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the self-cohesion dimensions of presence and consistency and smartphone addiction, and the potentially mediating role of rejection sensitivity.

Methods

A total sample of 910 respondents (58% females, mean age = 34.9, SD = 13.6) participated in the study. They completed a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and queries about frequency and duration of smartphone use, as well as the Self-Cohesion Scale, the Short Version of Smartphone Addiction Scale, and the Rejection Sensitivity RS-Adult Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships in question.

Results

The findings indicated that smartphone addiction was positively correlated with rejection sensitivity and negatively correlated with the self-cohesion dimensions of presence and consistency. Further, both presence and consistency were negatively associated with smartphone addiction and rejection sensitivity negatively mediated these relationships.

Conclusion

Self-cohesion and rejection sensitivity appear to be important predictors of smartphone addiction. Efforts to counteract smartphone addiction should, therefore, endeavor to increase smartphone users' self-cohesion and reduce their rejection sensitivity.

Unpacking the relation between children's use of digital technologies and children's well-being: A scoping review

Over the last decade, a substantial number of studies have addressed children's use of technologies and their impact on well-being. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of clarity on the operationalisation of technology use, well-being, and the relation between the two. This scoping review intended to shed lights on Digital Technologies Use, its operationalisation, and the relation between Digital Technologies Negative Use (DTNU) and children's well-being. For the scope of the special issue we focused on negative use. Results showed two conceptualisations of DTNU: compulsive/addictive use of devices and the Internet (e.g., Internet addiction) and negative online experiences/risky behaviours (e.g., cyberbullying). Well-being in relation to DTNU was mainly studied in terms of psycho/social dimensions (e.g., depression), and a gap in cognitive well-being studies was identified. Study designs were largely quantitative, and, in most studies, well-being was considered as a predictor of DTNU. Also, research with children under 12 years was lacking. Future research on DTNU should look at: how dimensions of addiction and negative online experiences relate; provide more evidence on cognitive well-being; explore the interplay of well-being multiple components relying on integrative conceptual frameworks. The recent notion of digital well-being should also be explored considering the results of this review.

Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents 18 Months after the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Studies in recent years and especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown a significant increase in the problematic use of computer games and social media. Adolescents having difficulties in regulating their unpleasant emotions are especially prone to Problematic Internet Use (PIU), which is why emotion dysregulation has been considered a risk factor for PIU. The aim of the present study was to assess problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents after the third wave (nearly 1.5 years after the onset in Europe) of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the German region of Siegen-Wittgenstein, all students 12 years and older from secondary-level schools, vocational schools and universities were offered a prioritized vaccination in August 2021 with an approved vaccine against COVID-19. In this context, the participants filled out the Short Compulsive Internet Use Scale (SCIUS) and two additional items to capture a possible change in digital media usage time and regulation of negative affect due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of PIU. The original sample consisted of 1477 participants, and after excluding invalid cases the final sample size amounted to 1268 adolescents aged 12-17 (x = 14.37 years, SD = 1.64). The average prevalence of PIU was 43.69%. Gender, age, digital media usage time and the intensity of negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic were all found to be significant predictors of PIU: female gender, increasing age, longer digital media usage time and higher intensity of negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with higher SCIUS total scores. This study found a very high prevalence of PIU among 12- to 17-year-olds for the period after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased significantly compared to pre-pandemic prevalence rates. PIU is emerging as a serious problem among young people in the pandemic. Besides gender and age, pandemic-associated time of digital media use and emotion regulation have an impact on PIU, which provides starting points for preventive interventions.

Internetnutzungsstörungen unter deutschen Jugendlichen vor und während der COVID-19-Pandemie

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Internetnutzungszeiten von Jugendlichen sind während der COVID-19-Pandemie stark angestiegen. Dies wird auch mit einer Zunahme an Internetnutzungsstörungen in Verbindung gebracht. Fragestellung: Anhand eines ipsativen Vergleichs wurde untersucht, ob mit der gestiegenen Online-Zeit während der COVID-19-Pandemie auch die schädliche und abhängige Internetnutzung bei Jugendlichen zugenommen hat. Methode: 743 Jugendliche aus acht weiterführenden Schulen in der Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar wurden in zwei Wellen (2015/2016 und 2021) mit der Compulsive Internet Use Scale untersucht. Ergebnisse: Sowohl die Symptomschwere als auch die Prävalenz der abhängigen Internetnutzung nahmen signifikant über die Zeit zu. Die Symptombelastung korrelierte außerdem negativ mit der Lebensqualität. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Es wird diskutiert, wie dem erhöhten Versorgungsbedarf mit verhältnis- und verhaltenspräventiven Maßnahmen und therapeutischen Angeboten begegnet werden kann.

Personality Traits of Croatian University Students with Internet Addiction

Specific personality traits may predispose individuals to various forms of addictive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the association between personality traits of university students and Internet addiction (IA). A sample of 1051 university students was recruited from the largest university in Eastern Croatia. A structured anonymous questionnaire that included questions regarding students’ sociodemographic information and Internet usage patterns, the Young Internet Addiction Test and Big Five Inventory served as a research tool. The study revealed that 1.0% of the studied sample expressed severe IA while 24.6% of study participants expressed some signs of addiction. The IA was detected in 576 (80.0%) students who used the Internet mainly for social networking, in 30 (78.9%) students who mainly used it for online gaming, and in 153 (52.2%) students who mainly used it for university assignments (p < 0.001). Higher neuroticism, higher extraversion, and higher openness to new experiences were connected with IA in general (p < 0.001). Higher neuroticism, higher extraversion, and higher openness to new experiences were significantly associated with addictive behavior during social networking (p < 0.001). Higher extraversion and higher openness to new experiences were significantly associated with addictive behavior during Internet usage for university assignments (p = 0.025), while there were no significant associations between specific personality traits and addictive behavior during online gaming (p = 0.059). Personality traits must be taken into account while developing programs and implementing interventions for preventing IA in the university student population.

[Media Literacy Needs Early Guidance and Company]

Controversies on the effects of media use have a long history and have become even more prevalent in the times of growing digitization. Particularly, potential harms and negative consequences have attracted scientific attention over the past decades. Various research projects have indeed demonstrated, that different negative repercussions can be caused by media use, especially regarding so called "new media" like internet-based computer games and social media. At least in individuals displaying an overuse of these media, research has demonstrated associations with developmental issues, heightened psychopathological symptoms, and problematic or addicted use. Yet, research also demonstrates that these associations are not linear ones but rather follow complex pathways. Thus, simply calling for a complete media abstinence it seems more promising developing pedagogic concepts for enabling children and adolescents using the possibilities of our digital world in a functional and self-determined way.

Binge Drinking, Tobacco, and Marijuana Use Among Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Longitudinal Study

Objectives: Substance use among young adult childhood cancer survivors (YACCSs) has been found to increase during survivorship, resulting in increased risk of developing long-term negative health outcomes. This investigation sought to determine various risk and protective factors of tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana use over time among a sample of YACCSs. Methods: 127 YACCSs (57% Hispanic, 55% female, average age at diagnosis 12.4 years) who were diagnosed with any cancer type (except Hodgkin lymphoma) at two large pediatric medical centers in Los Angeles County between 2000 and 2007 responded to two surveys separated by ∼5 years. Bivariate logistic regression models were used to assess independent clinical and psychosocial Time 1 variables associated with each substance use outcome at Time 2. Time 1 variables significant at p < .10 were included in multivariable logistic regression models for each Time 2 substance use variable. Results: Rates of 30-day use increased over time for binge drinking alcohol (from 25.6% to 37.7%), marijuana (from 10.6% to 22.1%), and cigarette/tobacco (from 8.9% to 12.2%). Of the following Time 1 variables, marijuana use, cigarette use, and binge drinking were associated with Time 2 marijuana, cigarette, and binge drinking, respectively. Of the following clinical factors, receipt of more intensive cancer treatment was associated with decreased tobacco use. All other psychosocial and clinical factors analyzed were not associated with any increase or decrease in substance use. Conclusions: A greater emphasis on early health education efforts regarding the health risks of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use is needed in this at-risk population.

Global prevalence of gaming disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gaming disorder was included in the latest revision of the International Classification of Diseases (11th ed.). Worldwide, prevalence estimates of gaming disorder are considerably heterogeneous and often appear to be exceedingly high. However, few studies have examined the methodological, cultural and/or demographic factors that might explain this phenomenon. This review employed meta-analytic techniques to compute the worldwide-pooled prevalence of gaming disorder and evaluate the potential contributing factors for varied prevalence estimates.

METHOD

Prevalence estimates were extracted from 53 studies conducted between 2009 and 2019, which included 226,247 participants across 17 different countries. Study findings were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. Subgroup and moderator analyses examined potential sources of heterogeneity, including assessment tool and cut-off, participant age and gender, sample size and type, study region, and year of data collection.

RESULTS

The worldwide prevalence of gaming disorder was 3.05% (confidence interval: [2.38, 3.91]); this figure was adjusted to 1.96% [0.19, 17.12] when considering only studies that met more stringent sampling criteria (e.g. stratified random sampling). However, these estimates were associated with significant variability. The choice of screening tool accounted for 77% of the variance, with the Lemmens Internet gaming disorder-9, Gaming Addiction Identification Test and Problematic Videogame Playing scales associated with the highest estimates. Adolescent samples, lower cut-off scores and smaller sample size were significant predictors of higher prevalence. Gaming disorder rates were approximately 2.5:1 in favor of males compared to females.

CONCLUSION

The worldwide prevalence of gaming disorder appears to be comparable to obsessive-compulsive disorder and some substance-related addictions, but lower than compulsive buying and higher than problem gambling. Gaming disorder prevalence rates appear to be inflated by methodological characteristics, particularly measurement and sampling issues.

Maladaptive Personality Traits and Their Interaction with Outcome Expectancies in Gaming Disorder and Internet-Related Disorders

Gambling disorder and gaming disorder have recently been recognized as behavioral addictions in the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition). The association between behavioral addictions and personality has been examined before, yet there is a lack of studies on maladaptive traits and their relationship to specific outcome expectancies. In study 1, we recruited a community sample (n = 365); in study 2 a sample of treatment-seekers was enrolled (n = 208). Maladaptive personality traits were assessed by the brief form of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition). Internet-related outcome expectancies were measured by the Virtual Expectancy Questionnaire. In the clinical sample, the Global Assessment of Functioning was additionally administered. Behavioral Addictions were closely associated with maladaptive traits that in turn were related to a poorer level of psychosocial functioning. There is evidence for an exacerbated risk of internet-related disorders when specific outcome expectancies and maladaptive traits interact. Implications for phenomenology and treatment are discussed.

Increases of negative affect following daily hassles are not moderated by neuroticism: An ecological momentary assessment study

The occurrence of daily hassles is associated with increased subsequent levels of negative affect. Neuroticism has been found to exacerbate this effect. So far, most research used single-item measures for the assessment of daily hassles or relied on daily diary studies. This study aimed to examine the interrelations of daily hassles, negative affect reactivity, and neuroticism in daily life employing an extensive inventory of daily hassles. Seventy participants (18-30 years; M = 23.9 years, 59% female) completed a 4-week smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment study reporting the occurrence and perceived strain of daily hassles as well as negative affect at five semi-random signals between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Multilevel analyses revealed significant associations between elevated levels of negative affect and higher cumulative daily hassle strain ratings per signal in concurrent and time-lagged analyses. Contrary to our expectations, there was no moderation by neuroticism on these associations. The results suggest that daily hassles can accumulate in their impact on mood in daily life and exert a prolonged effect on negative affect. The absence of a significant moderation by neuroticism may be interpreted in the light of methodological specifics of this study.

Internet addiction among adolescents in Macau and mainland China: prevalence, demographics and quality of life

Internet addiction (IA) is common among adolescents and significantly determined by sociocultural and economic factors. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of IA among adolescents between Macau and mainland China and also examine its association with quality of life. A total of 2892 secondary school students were included. Standardized instruments were used to measure IA, depressive symptoms and quality of life. The overall prevalence of IA was 23.7%, with 32.5% in Macau and 19.8% in mainland China. Students in Macau were more likely to suffer from IA than those in mainland China (OR = 2.15, p < 0.001). Correlates of IA included being in higher school grades, poor academic performance, and more severe depressive symptoms. Students with IA reported lower quality of life in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. IA is common among Chinese adolescents, particularly in Macau. Considering the negative impact of IA on health and quality of life, regular screening and effective interventions should be undertaken for young Internet users.

Moderating Role of Gender in the Relationship between Big Five Personality Traits and Smartphone Addiction

This study contributed to cyberpsychology literature by identifying moderating role of gender in the relationship between personality traits and smartphone addiction. A multi-group SEM analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between five factor personality traits (i.e. Big Five) and smartphone addiction among men and women. Big-Five-Inventory (BFI) and Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) were used to collect data from 320 undergraduate students. The results suggested a positively significant relationship between neuroticism (emotional imbalance) and smartphone addiction for women only. Whereas, conscientiousness was negatively related with smartphone addiction for women. Further, there was a negatively significant relationship between agreeableness and smartphone addiction for both genders. The findings suggested that gender has a moderating role in the relationship between neuroticism and smartphone addiction.

[Patterns of psychopathology and psychosocial background of patients at first presentation at the child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient department of the University Clinic Salzburg]

BACKGROUND

This study examines the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychosocial background of outpatients at an Austrian child and adolescent psychiatry department.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-three patients were examined using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents and the Multidimensional Clinical Screening Inventory. Pearson's chi-square tests were used to explore the prevalence of psychiatric disorders between gender and age-groups and their relationship with the psychosocial background of patients.

RESULTS

Most patients (86.9%) had at least one psychiatric disorder. Almost three quarters (72.4%) of these patients made use of extramural facilities. Boys and girls did not differ in age or presence of a disorder. Internalising disorders were more common among older patients. Externalising disorders were more common among boys and younger patients. 65.2% of patients suffered from at least one co-morbid disorder. Boys and those with at least one externalising disorder showed more problems at school. Girls were victims of sexual assault more often, but boys experienced more extra-familial physical abuse. Girls and those with internalising disorders showed more self-harming and suicidal behaviour. A combination of internalising and externalising disorders correlated with increased drug consumption. Boys spent more time using a computer.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that particular psychopathologies often appear in connection with certain psychosocial burdens. Especially boys show increased vulnerability in relation to school problems. The willingness of patients to make use of extramural points of contact should guide future policies to consider therapeutic options encompassing parents, schools and welfare institutions for children prone to the development of psychiatric symptoms due to psychosocial risk.

The Relationship Between Trait Procrastination, Internet Use, and Psychological Functioning: Results From a Community Sample of German Adolescents

Adolescents with a strong tendency for irrational task delay (i.e., high trait procrastination) may be particularly prone to use Internet applications simultaneously to other tasks (e.g., during homework) and in an insufficiently controlled fashion. Both Internet multitasking and insufficiently controlled Internet usage may thus amplify the negative mental health implications that have frequently been associated with trait procrastination. The present study explored this role of Internet multitasking and insufficiently controlled Internet use for the relationship between trait procrastination and impaired psychological functioning in a community sample of N = 818 early and middle adolescents. Results from multiple regression analyses indicate that trait procrastination was positively related to Internet multitasking and insufficiently controlled Internet use. Insufficiently controlled Internet use, but not Internet multitasking, was found to partially statistically mediate the association between trait procrastination and adolescents’ psychological functioning (i.e., stress, sleep quality, and relationship satisfaction with parents). The study underlines that adolescents with high levels of trait procrastination may have an increased risk for negative outcomes of insufficiently controlled Internet use.