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Qi W, Liao X, Wang D, Cai J. The effect of childhood harshness and unpredictability on Internet addiction among college students: The mediating effect of self-control. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31322. [PMID: 38803874 PMCID: PMC11128988 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
College students are inevitably online and at risk of becoming addicted. Life history theory provides an explanatory framework for individual differences in Internet addiction, and childhood harshness and unpredictability may be important antecedents. However, it is unclear whether and how childhood harshness and/or unpredictability affect Internet addiction during college. In this study, we recruited 483 Chinese college students and assessed their childhood harshness, unpredictability, self-control, and Internet addiction. The results of path analysis showed that childhood unpredictability was positively associated with Internet addiction among college students and was partially mediated by self-control. The effect of harshness on Internet addiction showed a suppression effect, i.e., the direct effect of harshness on Internet addiction was negative and the indirect effect through self-control was positive. This suggests that the high risk of Internet addiction stems from harshness and unpredictability in childhood, but that the effects of these factors are independent and distinct. Self-control plays an important role in this process, but many internal mechanisms remain to be tested in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qi
- Department of Psychology, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Liao
- Department of Psychology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Psychology, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Cai
- Department of Psychology, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Huang S, Lai X, Ke L, Li Y, Wang H, Zhao X, Dai X, Wang Y. AI Technology panic-is AI Dependence Bad for Mental Health? A Cross-Lagged Panel Model and the Mediating Roles of Motivations for AI Use Among Adolescents. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:1087-1102. [PMID: 38495087 PMCID: PMC10944174 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s440889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), may manifest as technology panic in some people, including adolescents who may be particularly vulnerable to new technologies (the use of AI can lead to AI dependence, which can threaten mental health). While the relationship between AI dependence and mental health is a growing topic, the few existing studies are mainly cross-sectional and use qualitative approaches, failing to find a longitudinal relationship between them. Based on the framework of technology dependence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of experiencing AI dependence, to examine the cross-lagged effects between mental health problems (anxiety/depression) and AI dependence and to explore the mediating role of AI use motivations. Methods A two-wave cohort program with 3843 adolescents (Male = 1848, Mage = 13.21 ± 2.55) was used with a cross-lagged panel model and a half-longitudinal mediation model. Results 17.14% of the adolescents experienced AI dependence at T1, and 24.19% experienced dependence at T2. Only mental health problems positively predicted subsequent AI dependence, not vice versa. For AI use motivation, escape motivation and social motivation mediated the relationship between mental health problems and AI dependence whereas entertainment motivation and instrumental motivation did not. Discussion Excessive panic about AI dependence is currently unnecessary, and AI has promising applications in alleviating emotional problems in adolescents. Innovation in AI is rapid, and more research is needed to confirm and evaluate the impact of AI use on adolescents' mental health and the implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxiong Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Digital Education, China National Academy of Educational Sciences, Beijing, 100088, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yajun Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Education Sciences, Shenzhen, 518001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanlei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinmei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinran Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
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Zhou H, Dang L, Wells A, Wu AMS. Risk factors for Internet Gaming Disorder: Testing the contribution of metacognitions, stress, and coping. Addict Behav 2023; 147:107836. [PMID: 37659271 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Engaging in online gaming is often considered as an avoidance strategy to cope with stress. This study aimed to test whether metacognitions make a unique contribution and which of them is/are the most salient to explaining Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) tendency after controlling for age, gender, and stress. We further explored the structure of relationships between these variables by testing a metacognitively mediated stress-IGD model. A convenience sample of 1255 Chinese young adults with gaming experience (age ranged from 18 to 27; 57.0% females) completed an anonymous online questionnaire in June 2021. Each metacognitions subscale was positively correlated with IGD tendency, whilst cognitive confidence and positive beliefs about worry were identified as the most salient dimensions among metacognitions for IGD tendency after controlling for demographics and stress. The mediation path model showed acceptable fit after implementing minor modifications. The bootstrapping results showed that the effect of stress on IGD tendency was fully mediated, with metacognitions and escape motivation as independent mediators. In the model, the paths from both positive metacognitions and uncontrollability/danger metacognitions to escape motivation (and in turn IGD) remained significant, whilst the path between cognitive confidence and IGD also remained significant. The findings suggest revisions to the stress-coping model consistent with self-regulatory executive function theory, and advance our understanding of the potential risk factors linking stress to problematic gaming. Enhancing individuals' capacity for metacognitive regulation may be an effective approach for future IGD preventive interventions among Chinese young gamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Le Dang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China; Faculty of Teacher Education, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, China
| | - Adrian Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Center for New Treatment and Understanding in Mental Health (CeNTrUM), Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Anise M S Wu
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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Jin X, Jiang Q, Xiong W, Zhao W. Effects of use motivations and alexithymia on smartphone addiction: mediating role of insecure attachment. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1227931. [PMID: 37529314 PMCID: PMC10389275 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1227931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Concern exists regarding the potential negative consequences of smartphone addiction among adolescents. This study investigated the effect of use motivations and alexithymia on smartphone addiction among adolescents with two insecure attachment styles, namely, anxious and avoidant attachment. These attachment styles were regarded as mediating variables. Methods Self-report measures were used to assess use motivations, alexithymia, insecure attachment and smartphone addiction. Data were collected from 748 junior high school students (382 males and 366 females) in northeastern China. Structural equation modeling was used to test our hypothesis that use motivations and alexithymia are directly associated with smartphone addiction and also through the mediation of attachment insecurities. Results The structural equation modeling results showed a strong and positive correlation between use motivation and smartphone addiction, with avoidant attachment mediating such a relationship. Meanwhile, the two components of alexithymia, difficulty identifying feelings and externally oriented thinking, positively predicted smartphone addiction, with avoidant attachment serving as a mediator of this effect. In addition, the mediation analysis results demonstrated that attachment anxiety mediated the connection between escape drive, extrinsically focused thought, and smartphone addiction. Conclusion Findings describe how attachment insecurities, smartphone use motivations, and alexithymia can interact with one another to predict smartphone addiction. Smartphone use motivation types and alexithymia symptoms should be taken into consideration when designing targeted intervention programs for smartphone addiction to address the different attachment needs of adolescents, which would be helpful to reduce their smartphone addiction behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinquan Jin
- Jiangsu Research Center of “Internet Plus Education,” Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qiang Jiang
- College of Information Science and Technology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Weiyan Xiong
- Department of International Education, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- College of Information Science and Technology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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Zhou H, Wu AMS, Su X, Chang L, Chen JH, Zhang MX, Tong KK. Childhood environment and adulthood food addiction: Testing the multiple mediations of life history strategies and attitudes toward self. Appetite 2023; 182:106448. [PMID: 36608768 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Food addiction is associated with both physical and mental health conditions, such as obesity and depression, and is considered a public health problem. Based on life history (LH) theory, this study aimed to test the association between unpredictable childhood environment and food addiction in adulthood and to examine LH strategies and attitudes toward self as psychological mediators of this association. A random sample of 1010 adults, aged from 18 to 88 years (44.8% male; Mage = 38.52, SDage = 14.53), voluntarily participated in an anonymous telephone survey conducted in Macao, China. The results of a path analysis showed the significant and positive direct effect of childhood unpredictability on food addiction and its negative association with slow LH strategy, which in turn was negatively correlated with food addiction. In addition, slow LH strategy and self-judgment, rather than self-kindness, acted as serial mediators in the association between childhood unpredictability and food addiction. These findings support the applicability of LH theory to understanding food addiction, as well as pointing to the potential risk effect of self-judgment for food addiction in adulthood. Self-judgment reduction may be a potential supplementary approach for future food addiction intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Anise M S Wu
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Xiaoyu Su
- School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Juliet Honglei Chen
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Meng Xuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Humanities, School of Humanities, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kwok Kit Tong
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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Lai X, Huang S, Nie C, Yan JJ, Li Y, Wang Y, Luo Y. Trajectory of problematic smartphone use among adolescents aged 10-18 years: The roles of childhood family environment and concurrent parent-child relationships. J Behav Addict 2022; 11:577-587. [PMID: 35895472 PMCID: PMC9295210 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2022.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Adolescence is a period of high incidence of problematic smartphone use. Understanding the developmental trajectory of problematic smartphone use in adolescence and its influencing factors could guide the choice of timing for prevention and intervention. This study fitted the growth trajectory of problematic smartphone use among adolescents and examined its associations with the childhood family environment and concurrent parent-child relationships. METHODS Using a cohort sequential design, we investigated 2,548 Chinese adolescents and their parents three times in three years. Multiple group multiple cohort growth models were used to fit the growth trajectory. RESULTS The quadratic growth trajectory of problematic smartphone use in adolescents aged 10-18 years showed a clear increasing trend, with a possible decreasing trend in late adolescence or early adulthood. Early life socioeconomic status, childhood family unpredictability, and the concurrent parent-child relationship had unique impacts on the development of problematic smartphone use during adolescence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Early adolescence is a favorable time for problematic smartphone use prevention and intervention. A supportive family environment should be maintained throughout the different developmental stages of children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiong Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Shunsen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chang Nie
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jia Julia Yan
- Department of Child and Family Studies, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA,Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Yajun Li
- Guangming Institute of Education Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
| | - Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China,Corresponding author. Tel.: +(010) 58807506. E-mail:
| | - Yuhan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China,Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China,Corresponding author. Tel.: +(010) 58807506. E-mail:
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