Integrating psychological and neurobiological considerations regarding the development and maintenance of specific Internet-use disorders: An Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model

Procrastination Predicts Future Internet Use Disorders in Adolescents but Not Vice Versa: Results from a 12-Month Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Use of Internet applications is often associated with postponing real-life obligations. Previous cross-sectional studies have reported a positive association between procrastination and Internet use disorders (IUDs). Further, procrastination is included in theoretical models explaining the development of IUDs. However, little is known about the temporal relationship; thus, longitudinal studies identifying the specific predictive direction are required.

METHODS

Using a cross-lagged panel design, a total of 240 students who were at high risk for IUDs, aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 15.17, SD = 1.66) were assessed at baseline (t1) and reassessed one year later (t2) with standardized measures for IUDs and procrastination.

RESULTS

Our results showed that IUD symptom severity at t2 was significantly predicted both by IUD symptom severity at t1 and procrastination at t1. However, procrastination at t2 was predicted only by procrastination at t1 but not by IUD symptom severity at t1.

CONCLUSIONS

We could not find a reciprocal relationship between procrastination and IUD symptom severity. Procrastination appears to be a causal risk factor for IUDs, but not a consequence. As a modifiable risk factor, procrastination is a promising starting point for preventive and therapeutic interventions for IUDs.

Functional MRI of inhibitory control processing in problematic mobile video gamers

With the development of mobile technology, mobile video games provide people with a more convenient way of entertainment, but problematic playing could also bring some negative consequences. Prior studies have indicated that Internet gaming addicts were accompanied by impaired inhibitory control. However, as a relatively new form of problematic game usage based on mobile devices, little is known about the neurobiological underpinnings of inhibitory control in problematic mobile video game (PMVG) users. Adopting an event-related fMRI Stroop task, the present study aimed to examine the different neural correlates of inhibitory control between PMVG and healthy control (HC) subjects. Compared with HC group, PMVG group showed greater brain activities in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during the Stroop process. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that brain activities extracted from the voxel in the DLPFC cluster had a significantly negative correlation with reward sensitivity. Our current findings may suggest the compensating effect in key brain regions of inhibitory control in problematic mobile video gamers relative to healthy controls.

Depression mediates the relationship of experiential avoidance and internet addiction: a cross-lagged mediation analysis

Previous research has identified the contemporaneous association between experiential avoidance, depression, and Internet addiction. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are not well acknowledged. The present study aimed to use cross-lagged panel modeling to examine whether depression mediates the relation between experiential avoidance and Internet addiction and whether gender plays a role in the relation. A total of 2731 participants (934 male, Meanage=18.03) were recruited from a university at the baseline study (December 2019). Data was collected at all 3 time points across one year (2019?2020), using 6-month intervals. Experiential avoidance, depression and Internet addiction were assessed using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) questionnaire, and Young?s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), respectively. Cross-lagged panel models were used to evaluate the longitudinal association and the mediating effect. Multigroup analyses were conducted to examine gender differences in the models.Cross-lagged models indicated that experiential avoidance significantly predicted subsequent depression, and depression significantly predicted subsequent Internet addiction. Furthermore, mediation analyses showed that depression has a mediating effect in the relation between experiential avoidance and Internet addiction (? = 0.010, 95%CI[0.003, 0.018], p>0.001). Multigroup analyses demonstrated that the pattern of structural relations stayed consistent across gender. The findings indicated that experiential avoidance is indirectly related to Internet addiction through depression, suggesting that treatments targeted at reducing experiential avoidance could help relieve depression and thus decrease the risk of Internet addiction.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04511-6.

Childhood trauma and problematic internet use: A meta-analysis based on students in mainland China

Background

In recent years, the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use has been widely studied by scholars, but the research conclusions on the relationship between them are not consistent. Some studies report that childhood trauma and problematic Internet use are significantly correlated. However, others believe that there is a weak correlation between them. So the relationship between them needs to be studied further. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use, and the effects of some moderating variables on both for students in Mainland China.

Methods

This study followed the requirements of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement for literature screening. We searched the related studies on childhood trauma and problematic Internet use in Mainland China from January 2009 to November 2022 from CNKI, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP Information Co., Ltd. (VIP), Baidu scholar, ProQuest dissertations, SAGE Online Journals, Elsevier SDOL, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Medline, Scopus Database, PubMed Central, Embase, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CMA 3.0 was used to analyse the overall effect and test the moderating effect.

Results

Among the papers included in the meta-analysis in this study, 31 papers reflected the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use, involving 52,503 subjects, and the sample size ranged from 388 to 16,130. This relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use can be considered as a moderate correlation (r = 0.281, 95%CI[0.221, 0.338], p < 0.001). The results showed that the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use was affected by different problematic Internet use measures. Meanwhile, meta-regression demonstrated that the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use was moderated by survey’s year. Specifically, the correlation coefficient between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use also increases with increasing year. However, the relationship between childhood trauma and problematic Internet use was not affected by the region, grade, childhood trauma measures, publication source.

Conclusion

Childhood trauma is closely related to problematic Internet use. In order to reduce problematic Internet use, corresponding prevention and intervention measures should be taken.

The Big-five personality traits and their link to problematic and compensatory Facebook use: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Social networking sites are widespread worldwide, and Facebook is the leading platform in terms of the number of users, laying the ground for potential problematic use. However, problematic Facebook use does not occur for most users but only for a minority. Previous research has found an association between the Big-five personality traits and problematic Facebook use, but the direction of these associations remains controversial. We aimed to fill this gap in knowledge through a systematic review and meta-analysis comprising 425 effect-sizes (78 studies) and 39,930 individuals (females = 33 % to 89 %; age range = 17 to 48 years). Extraversion and neuroticism were associated with higher daily and weekly hours spent on Facebook, while conscientiousness was negatively associated with higher daily hours and not weekly hours. However, when time spent on Facebook was assessed by validated questionnaires, different patterns of associations were observed. Except for the non-significant role of extraversion, the other personality traits were negatively associated with problematic Facebook use, while neuroticism was positively associated. When using different assessment tools was considered, extraversion remained non-significant, but different association patterns were observed. Moreover, for compensatory Facebook use, all personality traits were negatively associated with it, whereas neuroticism exhibited a positive association. Different patterns of associations in terms of strength and direction were observed depending on samples and measures characteristics; thus, definitive conclusions on the direction of the associations are impossible to draw at present. A more robust conceptualization and assessment of problematic Facebook use, as well as time spent on it, is required. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Using Theoretical Models of Problematic Internet Use to Inform Psychological Formulation: A Systematic Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Empirical research has been produced on the topic of 'Internet Addiction' or 'Problematic Internet Use' (PIU) for more than 20 years, with a variety of theoretical approaches suggested by scholars to account for the behaviour. However, the discourse has been fraught with debate around construct definition, measurement, and validity.

AIMS

This review aimed to systematically review the extant literature on the topic of PIU, to identify the published psychological theories in the area, and to synthesise the findings to produce actionable information for practicing psychologists as well as academics.

METHOD

Given the breadth of the aims, a scoping review methodology was utilised. Four major reference libraries (Scopus, Proquest, Pubmed, Technology Research Database) were searched using a string of relevant terms.

RESULTS

Of 1412 initial search results, eighteen theories were included in the study. Nine theories related to generalised PIU, seven related to specific Internet use issues, such as online gaming or social media, while two theories took account of both a generalised and specific view. Data were analysed using Formulation-Based Thematic Analysis (FBTA) to synthesise theory elements under the deductive headings of Predisposing, Precipitating, Maintaining, and Protective factors.

DISCUSSION

The lack of protective factors against PIU was a prominent finding. The utility of the psychological formulation approach, particularly in an area fraught with conceptual debate and frustration with traditional medical classification systems, is emphasised.

Risk and protective factors for (internet) gaming disorder: A meta-analysis of pre-COVID studies

This large-scale meta-analysis aimed to provide the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the available evidence from the pre-COVID period on risk and protective factors for (internet) gaming disorder (as defined in the DSM-5 or ICD-11) across all studied populations. The risk/protective factors included demographic characteristics, psychological, psychopathological, social, and gaming-related factors. In total, we have included 1,586 effects from 253 different studies, summarizing data from 210,557 participants. Apart from estimating these predictive associations and relevant moderating effects, we implemented state-of-the-art adjustments for publication bias, psychometric artifacts, and other forms of bias arising from the publication process. Additionally, we carried out an in-depth assessment of the quality of underlying evidence by examining indications of selective reporting, statistical inconsistencies, the typical power of utilized study designs to detect theoretically relevant effects, and performed various sensitivity analyses. The available evidence suggests the existence of numerous moderately strong and highly heterogeneous risk factors (e.g., male gender, depression, impulsivity, anxiety, stress, gaming time, escape motivation, or excessive use of social networks) but only a few empirically robust protective factors (self-esteem, intelligence, life satisfaction, and education; all having markedly smaller effect sizes). We discuss the theoretical implications of our results for prominent theoretical models of gaming disorder and for the existing and future prevention strategies. The impact of various examined biasing factors on the available evidence seemed to be modest, yet we identified shortcomings in the measurement and reporting practices.

Gaming disorder: A summary of its characteristics and aetiology

The emergence, development, and maintenance of gaming disorder (GD) is the result of an interplay between gaming-related factors, individual factors, and environmental factors. None of these alone are sufficient to cause a disordered state, but it is the interactive co-occurrence of all these factors, which in some cases leads to GD. The goal of the present paper is to discuss in detail these three factors based on relevant and recent findings of the literature. Among gaming-related factors, we discuss online vs. offline videogames, the role of game genres, structural characteristics, game design elements, as well as some important monetization techniques. Among individual factors demographic risk factors, personality traits, motivational factors, comorbid psychopathology, genetic predisposition, and neurobiological processes are considered. Finally, among environmental factors we discuss family factors, early life experiences, the role of peers and school-related factors, as well as the broader context of culture including the popularity of esports.

Annual Research Review: Emergence of problem gambling from childhood to emerging adulthood: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The risk for problematic gambling and associated high-risk behaviors is elevated during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Activities with gambling-like features and novel forms of gambling may place youth at an increased risk for problem gambling.

AIM AND METHOD

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the association between both activities with gambling-like features and novel gambling activities and problem gambling among youth while examining the role of psychopathology and cognitive processes. Six databases (PsychINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Social Work Abstracts, Technology Collection, and Scopus) were searched in November 2021 for peer-reviewed articles investigating the association between the aforementioned variables among youth up to the age of 25 years. Risk of bias was assessed using the Observational Study Quality Evaluation.

FINDINGS

Forty-five articles were included in the review. Positive associations were observed between engagement in activities with gambling-like features (e.g., video games, social casino games, loot boxes) and problem gambling. Increased involvement with novel forms of gambling (e.g., online sports betting, fantasy sports, and esports betting) were also associated with a greater risk for problematic gambling. Males reported higher rates of engagement in these activities and a greater risk of problem gambling than females. Impulsivity, risk taking, cognitive distortions, and specific emotional vulnerabilities were associated with an increased risk of problem gambling.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the need for additional longitudinal research controlling for relevant confounders, these findings underline how engagement in activities with gambling-like features are relevant in the developmental trajectory toward problem gambling.

Symptoms of internet gaming disorder and depression in Chinese adolescents: A network analysis

The current study aimed to investigate comorbidity among symptoms of depression and internet gaming disorder (IGD) utilizing symptom network analysis in a sample of Chinese adolescents. A total of 1,362 Chinese adolescents (Mean age = 15.19 ± 1.67; range 13-21; 39.79% female, 56.02% male, 4.19% not disclosed) were recruited from 11 local secondary schools between June and July 2020. Symptoms of depression and IGD were assessed by the 7-item DASS-21 depression subscale and the 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. We conducted network analysis to estimate network models and the most central symptoms of depression and IGD and computed a combined network model of both depression and IGD symptoms to find bridge symptoms and illustrate the comorbidity between depression and IGD. We found that feeling 'Worthless', 'Meaningless', and 'Down-hearted' were identified as the most central symptoms of depression, whereas 'Preoccupation' and 'Tolerance' were the two most central symptoms of IGD. The bridge symptoms in the combined network model were 'Gaming for escape or mood relief' from the IGD cluster and 'No initiative' and 'Down-hearted" from the depression cluster. The current study was the first to investigate the relationship between depression and IGD symptoms among adolescents utilizing a symptom network perspective. Also, it highlighted key bridge symptoms in understanding how IGD and depression contribute to each other.

A cross-lagged study of the associations among problematic smartphone use, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation in chinese university students

The present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships among problematic smartphone use (PSU), depressive symptoms (DS), and suicidal ideation (SI) in Chinese university students. Using a cross-lagged design, the Mobile Phone Addiction Inventory Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Self-Rating Idea of Suicide Scale as research instruments, 194 university students completed a questionnaire four consecutive times. June of Year 1, December of Year 2, June of Year 2, and December of Year 3 of their college study. We refer to these as the Time 1 (T1), Time 2 (T2), Time 3 (T3), and Time 4 (T4) assessments, respectively. The levels of PSU and DS fluctuated significantly over time. DS at T1 was significantly predicted to influence SI at T2 (β = 0.17, p < .05); DS at T3 was significantly predicted by PSU and by SI at T2 (respectively, β = 0.30, p < .05; β = 0.21, p < .05); DS at T2 significantly predicted PSU at T3 (β = 0.14, p < .05); and DS at T3 significantly predicted SI at T4 (β = 0.14, p < .05) in the cross-lagged pathway. DS at T3 fully mediated the relationship between PSU at T2 and SI at T4 (indirect effect: β = 0.133, 95% CI = [0.063, 0.213]). The results suggest that there is a reciprocal relationship between PSU and DS and, furthermore, that DS plays an important mediating role between PSU and SI. Our results suggest the importance of early identification and treatment of SI. Timely reduction of PSU and improvement of DS among university students may help prevent SI.

Trait Mindfulness and Problematic Smartphone Use in Chinese Early Adolescent: The Multiple Mediating Roles of Negative Affectivity and Fear of Missing Out

This study used a cross-sectional study design to investigate whether the mindfulness trait was a protective factor against problematic smartphone use (PSPU) of early adolescents, and whether negative affectivity and fear of missing out (FoMO) mediated this relationship. The study selected a sample of middle school students (N = 517, 46.03% males, Mage = 13.81, SD = 1.40) in China. The results of the structural equation modelling indicated that (a) mindfulness significantly and negatively predicted PSPU, (b) FoMO played a mediating role between mindfulness and PSPU, (c) negative affectivity (including depression and anxiety) played a mediating role between mindfulness and PSPU, but loneliness did not, and (d) negative affectivity and FoMO played a chain-mediated role, and depression, anxiety, and loneliness played a chain-mediated role with FoMO between mindfulness and PSPU. We discuss the possibility that high levels of mindfulness in early adolescents may reduce the short-term effects of problematic smartphone use by reducing negative emotions and FoMO and relate our results to an emphasis on the role of enhanced mindfulness in long-term internal self-regulation and well-being. Findings have implications for individuals and schools for PSPU prevention and intervention.

Problematic social networking sites use and online social anxiety: The role of attachment, emotion dysregulation and motives

Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and social anxiety are associated. SNSs users may develop online social anxiety that may become a standalone problem. The present study aims to test the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and motives (coping, conformity, social, and enhancement) between attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and two outcomes (PSNSU and online social anxiety) in an integrated theory-driven model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 756 SNSs users (50.4 % females; mean age = 28.74 years, SD = 8.00). Results of the path analysis supported the partial mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the association between attachment anxiety and both the outcomes and the serial mediating role via four and three motives in the association with PSNSU and online social anxiety, respectively. This study highlighted the role of several relational, emotional, and motivational factors that should be taken into account to tackle PSNSU and online social anxiety through clinical and prevention interventions.

A longitudinal study on college students' depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: The trajectories, antecedents, and outcomes

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is not only an immediate hazard but also a long-term risk to the development of depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear how people's depressive symptoms change with the process of COVID-19. Further, there is also a paucity of research on the underlying antecedents and outcomes of depressive symptoms during this global health crisis. In this study, a longitudinal study was conducted in China and the data of 559 participants were collected from the outbreak period to the normalization period of the pandemic through self-report questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were longitudinally analyzed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Core variables involving society, family, individual cognition, and behaviors were studied as determinants or consequences. Latent growth curve model analyses indicated that college students had mild depressive symptoms at the initial stage of COVID-19 with a subsequent decreasing linear slope. Depressive symptoms were significantly predicted by college students' risk perception of COVID-19, social support, family functioning, and smartphone addiction tendency. Further, their depressive symptoms predicted the changes in smartphone addiction tendency and levels of hope. In conclusion, current findings can provide implications for future prevention and intervention of mental disorders to assist college students through such challenging times.

The influence of Facebook intrusion and task context on cognitive control

Social networking sites, especially Facebook, have become increasingly popular over the past decades. However, besides the benefits of using Facebook, negative effects in the form of Facebook intrusion are also increasingly pointed out. Much of the research focuses on personality, emotional and social factors related to Facebook intrusion. However, there has been limited research on the relationship between this type of behavioural addiction and cognitive functioning. Consequently, the current study aimed to verify the relationship between Facebook intrusion and cognitive control in light of the dual mechanism of cognitive control model. Additionally, the study aim was to verify the impact of the Facebook-related context on cognitive control (proactive and reactive modes) compared to neutral and positive contexts. The participants (N = 82 young adults, 57 female, M = 22.24 years, SD = 2.67 years, age range 18-35 years) were divided into two groups based on their level of Facebook intrusion. The Facebook intrusion scale was used to assess the level of Facebook intrusion. The AX-CPT task was used to assess proactive and reactive control modes in three task contexts: Facebook-related, neutral and positive. The current study results show that the participants with high Facebook intrusion had greater reactive control than participants with low Facebook intrusion. The differences between Facebook-related, neutral context and positive context were not found. However, the present findings demonstrate the interaction between Facebook intrusion and task context in cognitive control. More specifically, participants with low Facebook intrusion had greater proactive control than participants with high Facebook intrusion in the Facebook-related and positive context.

Problematic Internet Use and Resilience: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Problematic Internet use has become a major problem worldwide due to its numerous negative correlates in the field of health, both mental and physical, and its increasing prevalence, making it necessary to study both its risk and protective factors. Several studies have found a negative relationship between resilience and problematic Internet use, although the results are inconsistent. This meta-analysis assesses the relationship between problematic Internet use and resilience, and analyses its possible moderating variables. A systematic search was conducted in PsycInfo, Web of Science and Scopus. A total of 93,859 subjects from 19 studies were included in the analyses. The results show that there is a statistically-significant negative relationship (r = -0.27 (95% CI [-0.32, -0.22])), without evidence of publication bias. This meta-analysis presents strong evidence of the relationship between the two variables. Limitations and practical implications are discussed.

The Effect of Future Time Perspective on Internet Dependence Among College Students in Pandemic Time: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Purpose

Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased the probability of Internet dependence. This study sought to examine the relation between future time perspective and college students' Internet dependence, as well as the mediating role of boredom proneness and the moderating effect of self-control in the link between boredom proneness and Internet dependence.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire survey was carried out among college students from two universities in China. A sample of 448 participants varying from freshmen to seniors completed questionnaires on future time perspective, Internet dependence, boredom proneness and self-control.

Results

Results indicated that college students with high future time perspective were less likely to fall into Internet dependence and boredom proneness mediated this relationship. The relation between boredom proneness and Internet dependence was moderated by self-control. Boredom proneness had a greater impact on Internet dependence for students with low self-control.

Conclusion

Future time perspective could influence Internet dependence through the mediating role of boredom proneness, which is moderated by self-control. The results advanced our understanding of how future time perspective affected college students' Internet dependence, revealing that intervention strategies which could improve students' self-control would be instrumental in reducing Internet dependence.

Family Matters More Than Friends on Problematic Social Media Use Among Adolescents: Mediating Roles of Resilience and Loneliness

Problematic social media use (PSMU) among adolescents has raised global concern in the current digital age. Despite the important role of perceived social support in adolescents' PSMU has been examined, possible different influences between perceived support from family and friends are still unknown. To address the gap, the present study aimed to examine how perceived support from family and friends is associated differently with PSMU and the mediating roles of resilience and loneliness therein. A sample of 1056 adolescents was recruited to complete standard questionnaires. Mediation analysis showed that resilience and loneliness mediated this association partially between perceived support from family and PSMU but totally between perceived support from friends and PSMU. Further, ANOVA-based analysis showed that influences of perceived support from family and friends on PSMU were mutually independent, and there was no interaction between them. Our results not only highlight different and independent impacts of perceived support from family and friends on PSMU, but also clarify the mediating mechanisms linking perceived social support to adolescent PSMU.

Is Nomophobia Problematic or Functional? A Perspective from Bifactor Structure

With the extensive use of mobile phones globally, some people engage in excessive or problematic phone use behaviors. However, little is known regarding the latent structure of problematic mobile phone use. The current study employed the Chinese versions of the Nomophobia Questionnaire, Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale, and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21 to explore the latent psychological structure of problematic mobile phone use and nomophobia and their associations with mental health symptoms. Results showed that a bifactor latent model best fit nomophobia, which contained a general factor and four unique factors involving the fear of being unable to access information, losing convenience, losing contact, and losing one's Internet connection. Results also showed significant correlations among latent factors of nomophobia, problematic mobile phone use, and mental health symptoms. Through these findings, we can conclude that two problematic mobile phone use behaviors share a common factor concerning excessive use, and nomophobia has independent unique factors concerning usable function. This study clarifies the structure of problematic mobile phone use, and it implies that we can distinguish problematic mobile phone use from functional use; further investigation of problematic mobile phone use is warranted.

Effects of resourcefulness on internet game addiction among college students: The mediating role of anxiety and the moderating role of gender

Introduction

The mechanism of internet game addiction is unclear. Whether anxiety mediates between resourcefulness and internet game addiction and whether gender affect its mediation role have not been studied previously.

Methods

A total of 4,889 college students from a college in southwest China were included in this study to complete the investigation, in which three questionnaires were used for evaluation.

Results

Pearson's correlation analysis indicated a remarkable negative correlation between resourcefulness with internet game addiction and anxiety, as well as a significant positive correlation between anxiety and this addiction. The structural equation model confirmed the mediation role of anxiety. The multi-group analysis confirmed the moderating role of gender in the mediation model.

Discussion

These findings have advanced the results of existing studies, indicating the buffering effect of resourcefulness on internet game addiction and revealing the potential mechanism of this relationship.

Engaging in physical activity instead of (over)using the smartphone: An experimental investigation of lifestyle interventions to prevent problematic smartphone use and to promote mental health

Aim

Tendencies of problematic smartphone use (PSU) have risen during the past decade. As PSU is consistently linked to mental health issues, measures to prevent its appearance and to promote mental health are urgently required.

Subject and Methods

The present study investigated the impact of three interventions on health behavior, PSU, positive mental health (PMH), and depression and anxiety symptoms. Overall, 503 persons from Germany (M age = 29.19, SD age = 10.51, range: 18-79) participated in the study. Over 14 days, the three experimental groups (a) reduced their daily smartphone use time by 60 minutes, (b) increased their daily level of physical activity by 30 minutes, and (c) combined both measures. The control group continued its behavior as usual. Outcomes were assessed via online surveys at five measurement time points (baseline, intermediate, post-intervention, and 1 and 3 months after the intervention).

Results

All interventions resulted in a significant increase in weekly physical activity and in reduced symptoms of PSU, depression, and anxiety. Furthermore, the smartphone reduction and the combination of both measures contributed to a significant reduction of participants' daily smartphone use and higher levels of PMH. The effects of the reduction of smartphone use time and its combination with increased physical activity were more stable in the longer term than the increase in physical activity only.

Conclusion

Combined with an increase in physical activity, the reduction of smartphone use time could serve as an efficient and cost-effective measure for the prevention of PSU and the promotion of mental health.

Cyberchondria: a Growing Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Possible Addictive Disorder?

Purpose of Review

The main purpose of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of the current empirical evidence regarding the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of cyberchondria, with a focus on the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. Although cyberchondria has been widely associated with anxiety, it has also been suggested that it may be linked to obsessive-compulsive features. A less explored proposal is the categorization of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. The present review explores the existing literature with respect to the possible classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction by considering cyberchondria with respect to components of the interaction of person, affect, cognition and execution model.

Recent Findings

There is a lack of consensus regarding the definition and conceptualization of cyberchondria. The empirical evidence available to date suggests that cyberchondria is a multifactorial construct that operates transdiagnostically, particularly with respect to obsessive-compulsive-related disorders and health-related anxiety. The extent to which the condition may reflect a behavioral addiction as a form of problematic use of the internet also warrants consideration. Cyberchondria may have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular populations prone to health-related anxiety likely having greater vulnerability. Existing data in part support the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction, although many gaps in understanding currently exist.

Summary

Cyberchondria appears to be a growing concern. However, there is not yet enough empirical evidence to determine whether this clinical condition has enough similarities with behavioral addictions to be considered as one. Likewise, psychometric instruments that exist to date have not been designed from the theoretical framework of behavioral addictions, so most of the factors that they evaluate may be preferentially related to anxiety. Finally, there is still no consensus on whether cyberchondria should be addressed in the context of health anxiety interventions, OCRD, or behavioral addictions; thus, more empirical evidence is needed.

The Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Problematic Facebook Use: The Indirect Effects of Perceived Stress

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms. As well as facilitating contact and the exchange of information, the use of Facebook can lead to problematic Facebook use (PFU) among a small number of users. Previous studies have shown the relationship between PFU and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). Additionally, previous studies have reported associations between PFU and perceived stress and between EMSs and perceived stress. Consequently, the main aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between PFU and EMSs and the role of perceived stress as a mediator of this relationship. The study comprised 993 Facebook users (505 female, M = 27.38 years, SD = 4.79, aged from 18 to 35 years). PFU was assessed using the eight-item Facebook Intrusion Scale, perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and EMSs were assessed using the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3). The results suggested that insufficient self-control/self-discipline, approval seeking, dependence/incompetence, enmeshment, and entitlement/grandiosity schemas were positively associated with PFU. There was also a negative relationship between PFU and EMSs, such as social isolation/alienation and defectiveness/shame schemas. The findings showed that PFU was positively associated with external stress. Additionally, external stress had an indirect effect in the relationship between mistrust/abuse and PFU, failure to achieve and PFU, and self-punitiveness and PFU. These results contribute to a better understanding of PFU development mechanisms associated with early maladaptive schemas and perceived stress. Additionally, knowing the EMSs associated with PFU and perceived stress might improve the therapeutic interventions and prevention of this problematic behavior.

Independent component analysis for internet gaming disorder

Introduction: There is a growing interest in the study of the neurobiological correlates of internet gaming disorder (IGD), and new techniques are beginning to be implemented for this purpose, such as independent component analysis (ICA). Aims: The present narrative review aimed to explore the studies that had used ICA for the study of the different brain networks possibly associated with IGD. Methods: We specifically focussed on three of the main networks: default-mode network, executive-control and salience networks. Results: Most studies have identified alterations in these three brain networks in individuals with IGD, which may be involved in the development and maintenance of this disorder. Conclusion: More studies are needed to deepen an understanding of the specific role of each in the symptomatology and treatment of IGD.

The Relationship between Short Video Flow, Addiction, Serendipity, and Achievement Motivation among Chinese Vocational School Students: The Post-Epidemic Era Context

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, people have been spending more time in the online world because of restrictions on face-to-face communication due to epidemic prevention controls. This has also brought the issue of Internet addiction, including the overuse and negative effects of short videos, to the forefront of attention. Past research has found that Internet addiction has a negative impact on well-being. However, there is a special concept of positive emotion called "serendipity" (). Serendipity provides a small, fleeting but positive experience, yet it is often associated with negative perceptions from an outside perspective. However, the relationship between short video addiction and serendipity is not yet known. Based on this, a theoretical model was developed in the context of the I-PACE model. To understand the relationship between short video addiction and serendipity among college students, in this study, we conducted snowball sampling and distributed online questionnaires using the Wenjuanxing platform. The target population of the questionnaire distribution was vocational college students in China, of whom 985 valid study participants responded, yielding a valid return rate of 82.1%. Of the respondents, 410 (41.6%) were male and 575 (58.4%) were female. The results were as follows: a. short video flow had a positive relationship with serendipity, a negative relationship with achievement motivation, and a positive effect on short video addiction; b. short video addiction had a positive effect on serendipity and a negative effect on achievement motivation; and c. serendipity had a negative impact on achievement motivation. This shows that short video addiction, like other Internet addictions, can have a negative impact on students' learning.

Role of innate and acquired resilience in behavioral system, mental health, and internet addiction among Japanese adolescents in the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

This study examines mediation models in which behavioral inhibition and activation systems (BIS/BAS) impact internet addiction through mental health and the moderating roles of innate and acquired resilience in the models.

Methods

The data set used in this study was a cross-sectional survey among 952 adolescents in July 2021. Internet Addiction Test, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, BIS/BAS scales, and Depression Self-Rating Scale were used for analysis. After controlling for gender, the mediation and moderated mediation models were examined.

Results

The results revealed that depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between BIS and internet addiction and between BAS-fun-seeking (BAS-FS) and internet addiction. Innate and acquired resilience moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and internet addiction. The indirect effect of innate and acquired resilience on internet addiction via depressive symptoms was statistically significant in both low and high innate and acquired resilience. The results of conditional indirect effect analysis indicated that the depressive symptoms-internet addiction association decreased with the increase of innate or acquired resilience level.

Discussion

Our results suggested that depression symptoms played a significant mediation role in the relationships between BIS/BAS and internet addiction, and higher innate and acquired resilience was associated with a reduced risk of internet addiction. BIS/BAS may be a risk for internet dependence via mental health, and innate and acquired resilience appears to serve as a protective factor.

Problematic social media use is statistically predicted by using social media for coping motives and by positive reinforcement processes in individuals with high COVID-19-related stress levels

It is important to understand the relationship between stress and problematic use of social media (PUSM). However, no study to our knowledge has yet investigated the longitudinal relationship between perceived stress and PUSM via positive and negative reinforcement processes. The present study investigated relationships between COVID-19-pandemic-related stress and PUSM and possible moderating effects of motives for using social media (positive and/or negative reinforcement) during and following a COVID-19-pandemic-related lockdown. Six-hundred-and-sixty participants initially completed a survey including self-report measures of PUSM, COVID-19-pandemic-related stress, and motives for using social media (i.e., for negative reinforcement involving coping and conformity or positive reinforcements involving enhancement and social motives). During the COVID-19 outbreak recovery period, 117 participants again completed the survey. Bayesian analyses revealed that PUSM was associated with higher COVID-19-pandemic-related stress levels and use of social media for coping, conformity, and enhancement purposes. Longitudinally, PUSM symptom worsening was associated with increased use of social media for coping motives regardless of levels of perceived stress. Use of social media for conformity and enhancement purposes moderated relationships between stress levels during lockdown and PUSM symptoms worsening after lockdown. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that negative reinforcement processes may be key factors in PUSM symptom worsening regardless of perceived stress. Concurrently, high levels of stress may worsen PUSM through positive reinforcement processes.

Subgroups of internet gaming disorder based on addiction-related resting-state functional connectivity

AIMS

To identify subgroups of people with internet gaming disorder (IGD) based on addiction-related resting-state functional connectivity and how these subgroups show different clinical correlates and responses to treatment.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data sets.

SETTING

Zhejiang province and Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and sixty-nine IGD and 147 control subjects.

MEASUREMENTS

k-Means algorithmic and support-vector machine-learning approaches were used to identify subgroups of IGD subjects. These groups were examined with respect to assessments of craving, behavioral activation and inhibition, emotional regulation, cue-reactivity and guessing-related measures.

FINDINGS

Two groups of subjects with IGD were identified and defined by distinct patterns of connectivity in brain networks previously implicated in addictions: subgroup 1 ('craving-related subgroup') and subgroup 2 ('mixed psychological subgroup'). Clustering IGD on this basis enabled the development of diagnostic classifiers with high sensitivity and specificity for IGD subgroups in 10-fold validation (n = 218) and out-of-sample replication (n = 98) data sets. Subgroup 1 is characterized by high craving scores, cue-reactivity during fMRI and responsiveness to a craving behavioral intervention therapy. Subgroup 2 is characterized by high craving, behavioral inhibition and activations scores, non-adaptive emotion-regulation strategies and guessing-task fMRI measures. Subgroups 1 and 2 showed largely opposite functional-connectivity patterns in overlapping networks.

CONCLUSIONS

There appear to be two subgroups of people with internet gaming disorder, each associated with differing patterns of brain functional connectivity and distinct clinical symptom profiles and gender compositions.

The relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction in the context of Covid-19: The mediating effect of attentional control and executive dysfunction

In the context of Covid-19, the present study examined the relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction and tested the mediation role of attentional control and executive dysfunction. Four hundred and twenty-one Chinese undergraduate students completed anxiety, attentional control, executive dysfunction, and smartphone addiction measures. The findings of correlation analysis indicated that anxiety was negatively associated with attentional control, and positively with executive dysfunction and smartphone addiction. The results of structural equation model showed that attentional control and executive dysfunction played a mediation role between anxiety and smartphone addiction in series. Moreover, anxiety did not directly predict smartphone addiction in the final model including attentional control and executive dysfunction as mediators, suggesting that attentional control and executive dysfunction were full mediators in the relation between anxiety and smartphone addiction.

Development of an Instrument to Assess Expectations for the Use of Online Gaming, Social Networking Sites, and Online Pornography: the Marburg Internet Use Expectations (MINUS-X) Questionnaire

User’s expectations contribute to the maintenance of problematic use of online gaming (OG), social networking (SN), and online pornography (OP). Since an instrument to assess use expectations across applications is lacking, this study aimed at developing and testing such a questionnaire. It consists of a general module (GM), which includes expectations relevant to all three applications, and three application-specific modules. A pilot and a validation study were conducted with 2880 German adults. We conducted item analyses, exploratory factor analyses (EFA), exploratory structural equation modelling, and correlation analyses. The EFA revealed six factors for the GM and two factors for each specific module. The GM demonstrated measurement invariance between applications. The instrument showed excellent psychometric properties, indicating its suitability for assessing expectations concerning the use of OG, SN, and OG reliably and validly. It could be helpful for treating patients with problematic use of the applications and investigating the role of the relevant expectations.

The longitudinal association between internet addiction and depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and related prevention policies, such as home quarantine or online courses, could increase the risks of experiencing internet addiction and mental health problems among Chinese adolescents. There is a lack of longitudinal evidence to show the association between internet addiction symptoms and psychological consequences (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms).

Objective

This study aimed to explore the association between internet addiction and depressive and anxiety symptoms before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

An effective sample of 7,958 Chinese adolescents was recruited for this two-wave longitudinal survey conducted over a six-month interval. All participants completed two-wave surveys before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal cross-lagged path model was used to analyze the associations between internet addiction and depressive and anxiety symptoms after controlling for four covariates (i.e., age, sex, minority, and COVID-19 influence).

Results

Higher depressive and anxiety symptoms before COVID-19 significantly predicted severe internet addiction during COVID-19. Results showed a significant bidirectional relationship between internet addiction and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the prevalence of internet addiction displayed an increasing trend over the two waves. Conversely, a reduced prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms was observed over the two waves.

Conclusion

This current study provided valuable evidence that psychological problems and internet addiction significantly influenced each other before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consequently, the presence of psychological problems before and during the COVID-19 outbreak could indicate internet addiction. Thus, depression- and anxiety-related psychotherapies should be developed to prevent internet addiction among Chinese adolescents.

Resilience and problematic smartphone use: a moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is adversely correlated with resilience. To completely comprehend the mechanism underlying this relationship, however, more investigation is required.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, the method of stratified random cluster sampling was applied. 834 Chinese undergraduate students (aged 17 to 24) were recruited, and self-reported questionnaires were administered to measure their levels of resilience, perceived social support, the sense of school belonging, and habitual and problematic smartphone use.

RESULTS

The findings showed that resilience both directly and indirectly predicted PSU through perceived social support and the sense of school belonging. Additionally, there were significant moderating effects of habitual smartphone use between resilience and perceived social support, the sense of school belonging, and PSU.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research identified the negative influence of resilience on PSU, and specifically, highlighted the mediation effects of perceived social support and the sense of school belonging. Of significance, we also found the moderation effect of habitual smartphone use in the development of PSU.

The relationship between anxiety and depression with smartphone addiction among college students: The mediating effect of executive dysfunction

Smartphone addiction symptom is increasing globally. Many studies have found that negative emotion is associated with smartphone addiction, but few explore the mediating effect of executive dysfunction. In a large-scale, cross-sectional survey, 421 Chinese college students completed measures on anxiety, depression, smartphone addiction, and executive dysfunction. We surveyed the prevalence of depression, impaired executive function, and smartphone addiction. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the questionnaire structure, and the mediation models were used to examine the relationship between anxiety, depression, impaired executive function, and smartphone addiction. The main finding indicated that anxiety, depression, and executive dysfunction were positively and significantly associated with smartphone addiction. Executive dysfunction plays a mediation role between anxiety and depression with smartphone addiction. Specifically, executive dysfunction completely mediates the pathway of anxiety and smartphone addiction and partly mediates the path of depression and smartphone addiction. Depression directly predicted smartphone addiction positively but anxiety did not. The sample consisted of Chinese college students, which limits generalizability and self-reported lack of objectivity. The result suggests that we should pay more attention to the mediating role of executive dysfunction between negative emotion and smartphone addiction.

Emotional face expression recognition in problematic Internet use and excessive smartphone use: task-based fMRI study

Growing literature indicates that problematic Internet use (PIU) and excessive smartphone use (ESU) are associated with breakdown of functional brain networks. The effects of PIU&ESU on emotional face expression (EFE) recognition are not well understood, however behavioural investigations and fMRI studies of different addiction forms indicated the impairment of this function. The Facial Emotion Recognition Paradigm was used to probe cortico-limbic responses during EFE recognition. Combined fMRI and psychophysiological analysis were implemented to measure EFE-related functional brain changes in PIU&ESU. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess PIU&ESU. Positive associations were found between the extent of PIU&ESU and functional connections related to emotional cognitive control and social brain networks. Our findings highlight the involvement of social functioning, especially EFE recognition in PIU&ESU. Therefore, we emphasize that besides the brain's executive and reward systems, the social brain network might be the next candidate to be involved in the pathogenesis of PIU&ESU.

Personality Traits Associated with the Risk of Exercise Dependence in Ultraendurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Exercise dependence (ED) is common in endurance athletes and can lead to physical and psychological distress with various health effects. We designed a prospective cross-sectional study to investigate the personality traits associated with ED among ultraendurance athletes. A total of 507 participants (41.6 (9.8) years, men: 73.7%) completed (1) a screening questionnaire about sociodemographic data, sporting habits, and healthcare data, (2) the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R, 21 items scored from 1 (never) to 6 (always), 7 subscales), (3) the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and (4) 2 items of the SCOFF (Sick-Control-One Stone-Fat-Food) questionnaire regarding possible eating disorders. Based on the EDS-R scores, 37 (7.3%) participants were at risk for ED (scores ≥ 5/6 on ≥3 subscales), 366 (72.2%) were nondependent but symptomatic (scores ≥ 3/6 on ≥3 subscales), and 104 (20.5%) were asymptomatic. Participants with ED had a greater training volume and a higher prevalence of possible eating disorders. A higher level of neuroticism was associated with increased EDS-R scores (r = 0.294; p < 0.001), with significantly higher scores in the ED group (F = 14.50, p < 0.001). The association between neuroticism and ED was not moderated by the presence of eating disorders. These findings will help to screen ultraendurance athletes at risk for ED and optimize their care.

Adverse childhood experiences, problematic internet use, and health-related quality of life in Chinese adolescents

Background: The influence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on an individual's health is substantial. However, the associations between ACEs, problematic internet use (PIU), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents remain underexplored.Objective: To assess the association between ACEs and HRQOL in Chinese adolescents and to evaluate the mediating role of PIU in this association.Method: A sample of 6,639 adolescents (3,457 boys and 3,182 girls) aged between 11-20 years (mean [SD] age: 14.5 [1.6] years) were recruited from 6 junior and senior middle schools using a proportional sampling approach in a cross-sectional study. Data on ACE exposure was collected through the short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the ACE-International Questionnaire, and two additional questions. HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0. The associations between ACEs and HRQOL were estimated using linear regression models. Mediation analysis was further conducted to explore the possible mediating role of PIU in the association between ACEs and HRQOL.Results: Our study collected 13 different ACEs. We found that adolescents exposed to any ACE had significantly lower scores in all HRQOL dimensions, psychosocial health summary scale, and total scale, than those without such exposure. Specifically, adolescents with ≥ 3 ACE exposure had a total scale score that was 14.70 (95%CI: 15.53 to 13.87) points lower than their non-exposed counterparts. Mediation analysis identified PIU as a significant mediator, with the proportion of the total effect attributable to PIU ranging from 14.38% for social functioning to 17.44% for physical functioning.Conclusions: Exposure to ACEs was associated with poorer HRQOL in Chinese adolescents, underscoring the importance to prevent ACEs and their negative impacts on adolescent well-being. These findings also highlighted the need of promoting appropriate internet use among adolescents exposed to ACEs, in order to avert potential impairment in their HRQOL.HIGHLIGHTSAdolescents with adverse childhood experiences have poorer health-related quality of life.The association between adverse childhood experiences and health-related quality of life shows a dose-response pattern.Problematic internet use partially mediates the associations between adverse childhood experiences and health-related quality of life in adolescents.

Problematic use of social media: The influence of social environmental forces and the mediating role of copresence

People's dependence on technology in the digital environment has increasingly become the focus of academic and social attention. Social media, in particular, with the functions of connecting with others and maintaining interactions, has become an inseparable part of people's lives. Although the formation of problematic use of social media has been extensively discussed by scholars, it is mainly confined to the individual level and lacks a macro perspective from the external environment. This study draws on the perspective of institutional theory and introduces copresence as a mediating role, aiming to investigate the influence mechanism of social environmental forces on individuals' problematic use of social media. An online survey (N = 462) was conducted to collect data and test the research model. Our data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Results show that social environmental forces exert an impact on problematic use of social media through the sense of copresence, and only mimetic force can directly affect behavior outcomes while the other two forces can not. Besides, social environmental forces have a relationship with people's sense of copresence while using social media. Among them, mimetic force and normative force positively correlate with copresence while coercive force is negatively related to copresence. Furthermore, copresence is found to influence problematic use of social media positively. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Internalizing symptoms, rumination, and problematic social networking site use: A cross national examination among young adults in seven countries

BACKGROUND

As daily engagement with social networking sites (SNS) increases globally, identifying and understanding the risk factors associated with problematic SNS use is of utmost importance. Researchers are interested in understanding internalizing symptoms as both a risk factor and a negative consequence of problematic SNS use. Prior research has proposed rumination alongside internalizing symptoms as a risk factor, though limited research has examined these associations across different cultures.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the indirect associations between internalizing symptoms (specifically depressive and social anxiety symptoms) and problematic SNS use via rumination among a cross-cultural sample.

METHOD

Participants were 8,912 (70.8 % female; Mean age = 20.25, SD = 3.95) college students recruited across seven countries (U.S., Canada, Spain, England, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa) who completed measures of internalizing symptoms, rumination, weekly SNS use, and problematic SNS use.

RESULTS

We found that higher internalizing symptoms were associated with more problematic SNS use via higher ruminative thinking. Specifically, problem-focused thoughts (a rumination subtype) uniquely accounted for 22.89% and 28.15% of the total effect of depressive and social anxiety symptoms on problematic SNS use, respectively. Other rumination subtypes (i.e., anticipatory thoughts and repetitive thinking) also demonstrated significant indirect effects, though weaker effects than for problem-focused thoughts. Findings were invariant across countries.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide support for further exploring the role rumination plays in determining and comparing problematic SNS use cross-culturally in longitudinal and experimental work.

Heterogeneity of smartphone impact on everyday life and its relationship with personality and psychopathology: A latent profile analysis

BACKGROUND

The relationships between problematic smartphone use and psychological factors have been extensively investigated. However, previous studies generally used variable-centered approaches, which hinder an examination of the heterogeneity of smartphone impact on everyday life.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we capitalized on latent profile analysis to identify various classes of smartphone owners based on the impact associated with smartphone use (e.g., unregulated usage, preference for smartphone-mediated social relationships) and to compare these classes in terms of established psychological risk factors for problematic smartphone use.

METHOD

We surveyed 934 young adults with validated psychometric questionnaires to assess the impact of smartphones, psychopathological symptoms, self-esteem and impulsivity traits.

RESULTS

Smartphone users fall into four latent profiles: users with low smartphone impact, users with average smartphone impact, problematic smartphone users, and users favoring online interactions. Individuals distributed in the problematic smartphone user profile were characterized by heightened psychopathological symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies) and impulsivity traits. Moreover, users who preferred online interactions exhibited the highest symptoms of social anxiety and the lowest levels of self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings further demonstrate the multidimensionality and heterogeneity of the impact of smartphone use, calling for tailored prevention and intervention strategies.

Cyberchondria and COVID-19 anxiety and internet addiction among nursing students

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between cyberchondria and COVID-19 anxiety and internet addiction in nursing students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 843 students studying in the nursing department of Adnan Menderes University. The mean age of the students was 20.8 ± 1.72 years and 61.2% were female. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form were used to collect data. The study found a positive association between internet addiction, cyberchondria severity, and anxiety about COVID-19. It was found that the anxiety of COVID-19 had a mediating role in the association between internet addiction and cyberchondria severity. It was found that the use of the internet as a source of information on health problems and trusting the health information found had a significant effect on high cyberchondria levels (p < 0.05). Taken together, the findings of previous studies and this study on the role of the association between internet addiction and cyberchondria exacerbating anxiety due to the pandemic provide further evidence for healthcare professionals that greater focus is needed on the problems of the new era related to people-internet interaction. To reduce the negative effects of the current health crisis and future health crises, interventions for nursing students to control their internet use and cyberchondria behaviors should be prioritized.

The effect of mindfulness on social media addiction among Chinese college students: A serial mediation model

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social media addiction (SMA), making it urgent to find effective interventions for social media addiction. Evidence has shown that mindfulness might be an effective intervention for social media addiction. However, psychological mechanisms by which mindfulness reduce social media use remain unclear. Here, we further addressed this issue to examine whether attentional control and fear of missing out (FOMO) mediate the relationship between mindfulness and SMA.

Methods

We recruited 446 college students from two universities in China and analyzed the data.

Results

The results suggest that there are mediation effects of attentional control and FOMO between mindfulness and SMA through 3 paths: path 1, mindfulness → attention control → SMA (-0.04); path 2, mindfulness → FOMO → SMA (-0.22); and path 3, mindfulness → attention control → FOMO → SMA (-0.05).

Discussion

Therefore, mindfulness-based interventions may be an effective way to alleviate social media addiction, especially mindfulness-based interventions targeting FOMO. At the end of the article, we also discussed the limitations of this study.

Public Health Approach to Problems Related to Excessive and Addictive Use of the Internet and Digital Media

Purpose of Review

Advances in digital technology and media have provided convenience and advantages in all areas of our daily lives. However, there is a risk of excessive and addictive use, which increases the risk of addiction as a disease and other related mental and physical problems. This article reviews the public health approach to problems related to excessive and addictive use of the Internet and digital media.

Recent Findings

The public health model views addiction as the result of interactions among individuals, digital media, and the environment; therefore, interventions should aim to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors in these three areas. This includes developing and providing evidence-based services according to each individual's problem type and severity. Regarding interventions for digital media and the environment, restricting accessibility and regulating content may be necessary. This calls for an integrative, comprehensive, and continuous intervention strategy, and to achieve such a framework, we need to establish an information system to monitor the magnitude and patterns of related problems.

Summary

This review suggests a surveillance system that provides a list of evidence-based policies from the public health perspective. Suggestions for an advanced international information, policy, and monitoring system are discussed.

Emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming

Gaming disorder (i.e., gaming addiction) is a relatively common mental health disorder with a worldwide prevalence rate of 3.05%. In the present research, we examined whether emotion dysregulation mediates the relation between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming in two samples of current video game players. The first sample consisted of 1,262 students recruited from five universities across Canada. The second sample comprised 417 community adults residing in Canada. Both samples of participants completed an online survey which included measures of adverse childhood experiences, problematic gaming, and emotion dysregulation. A total of 45.64% (n = 576) in the university sample and 49.76% (n = 205) in the community sample met the threshold for problematic gaming. In the student sample, adverse childhood experiences were positively associated with problematic gaming. In contrast, there was no significant association between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming in the community sample. In both samples, adverse childhood experiences were positively associated with emotion dysregulation, and emotion dysregulation was positively associated with problematic gaming. Importantly for the present research, emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and problematic gaming in both the university and community sample. Although adverse childhood experiences are distal and static risk factors for problematic gaming, emotion dysregulation is a more proximal and modifiable risk factor. The results suggest that increasing adaptive emotion regulation skills may decrease the risk of problematic gaming among individuals who have experienced an adverse childhood experience.

Relationship of Gaming Disorder with parenting based on low affection-communication and personality trait of neuroticism in adolescents

Background

Gaming Disorder is increasingly common in adolescents. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between parenting, personality traits, and Gaming Disorder.

Methods

An observational and cross-sectional study in six secondary schools of Castelló, obtaining a final sample of 397 students.

Results

Adolescents with Gaming Disorder had lower scores in Adolescent Affection-Communication (F = 8.201; p < 0.001), Father's Warmth (F = 3.459; p = 0.028), and Father's Acceptance/Involvement (F = 5.467; p = 0.003), and higher scores in Mother's Revoking Privileges (F = 4.277; p = 0.034) and Father's Indifference (F = 7.868; p = 0.002) than healthy participants. Male sex was a risk factor for Gaming Disorder (OR = 12.221; p = 0.004), while Adolescent Affection-Communication (OR = 0.908; p = 0.001) and Agreeableness (OR = 0.903; p = 0.022) were protective factors. Data modeling described the protective effect that Adolescent Affection-Communication had on Gaming Disorder, which was both directly (B = -0.20; p < 0.001) and indirectly mediated by Neuroticism (B = -0.20; p < 0.001), while Neuroticism itself was a risk factor for Gaming Disorder (B = 0.50; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

These results reflect that Parental style with low affection and communication was directly and indirectly related to the Gaming Disorder, as well as male sex and personality trait of Neuroticism.

Personality traits and their role as risk modifiers in gaming disorder and internet use disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

After its initial recognition in the DSM-5, Gaming Disorder has now officially been included as a mental disorder in the ICD-11 as a behavioral addiction. In the past decades, research on this phenomenon has increased and in particular theories on its etiopathology have been suggested. In that respect, underlying factors, including neurobiological, social, and psychological factors, have been described. One commonly discussed etiological factor is supposed in specific personality traits. Knowing more about underlying personality factors of Gaming Disorder and other subtypes of internet use disorders would allow for a construction of more sophisticated etiological models, tailored prevention approaches, and would affect the specificity of treatment strategies. This overview provides information on current research on the role of the Big Five personality traits in Gaming Disorder as potential risk modifiers and maintaining factors.

RECENT FINDINGS

Research has especially identified high neuroticism and low conscientiousness as correlates of Gaming Disorder. Yet, results based on prospective studies are lacking largely, although there is the first evidence that personality traits might not only act as risk modifying factors but could also be influenced by Gaming Disorder.

SUMMARY

Suggestions for future research and the need for a more pronounced perspective taking into account the changing dynamics of personality are presented in this contribution. Addressing personality traits in treatment programs could be a promising approach in preventing patients from premature treatment termination and later relapse.

Desire thinking and craving as predictors of problematic Internet pornography use in women and men

INTRODUCTION

According to the recent adaptation of the I-PACE model, desire thinking and craving might be closely related to problematic Internet pornography use. The overall aim of the present study was to investigate the role of two components of desire thinking (imaginal prefiguration and verbal perseveration) and craving in problematic Internet pornography use. Furthermore, we examined gender differences in the underlying mechanism linking desire thinking to problematic Internet pornography use.

METHOD

A total of 414 Italian adults (mean age = 27.55 years, SD = 6.13; age range = 18-58; 53.6 % men) participated in this study. Participants completed an online survey to assess problematic Internet pornography use, pornography craving, desire thinking and problematic Internet use. Path analyses and a multi-group approach were used to test the relationships among variables and to explore gender differences.

RESULTS

Imaginal prefiguration was associated to pornography craving which, in turn, was associated to verbal perseveration as proximal antecedent of problematic Internet pornography use, above and beyond the effect of age, relationship status, and problematic Internet use. Two paths significantly differed between men and women: the path between verbal perseveration and problematic Internet pornography, which for women was weaker and did not reach significance; and the path between problematic Internet use and problematic Internet pornography use that was not significant for women.

CONCLUSIONS

In line with the I-PACE model, the present study provided support for the potential role of desire thinking in problematic Internet pornography use as a specific Internet-use disorder and expanded the literature in the field by testing unexplored gender differences. Preventive and clinical implications are discussed.