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Amran MS, Roslan MZ, Sommer W. Compulsive digital use: the risk and link of loneliness among adolescents. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2024; 0:ijamh-2024-0047. [PMID: 38997216 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2024-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current rise of digital technologies is causing adolescents to spend more time on their digital devices, especially since the lockdown period of the pandemic. Adolescents are among those who are affected by lifestyle changes and are at risk of digital addiction due to the overuse of digital technologies. This opinion paper discusses the possible risk of loneliness among adolescents due to the overuse of digital devices. In this article, we would like to propose the concept of digital abuse and its risk of loneliness, as well as discuss some proposed solutions by referring to recent statistics and research evidence to reduce digital abuse among adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS Evidence from previous studies highlights the association between digital addiction and loneliness among adolescents. Overusing digital devices among adolescents is also associated with various physical and psychological side effects. SUMMARY Recent findings support the rapid rise of digital device usage among adolescents and its contributions to digital use. More research is needed to support existing interventions, provide early screening, and combat digital addiction to protect adolescents from the risks of loneliness due to the overuse of digital devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad S Amran
- Faculty of Education, 61775 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Z Roslan
- Faculty of Education, 61775 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Werner Sommer
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Dong W, Tang H, Wu S, Lu G, Shang Y, Chen C. The effect of social anxiety on teenagers' internet addiction: the mediating role of loneliness and coping styles. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:395. [PMID: 38802784 PMCID: PMC11129444 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05854-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM There is a lack of understanding of how social anxiety may affect Internet addiction among adolescents. Based on several theories, the purpose of this study was to investigate the multiple mediating roles of loneliness and coping styles in the association between social anxiety and Internet addiction in Chinese adolescents. METHODS This study used the Social Anxiety Scale, Internet Addiction Test, Loneliness Scale, and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire to investigate 1188 students in two junior high schools and senior high schools in Henan Province, China. We adopted Pearson's correlation analysis and the PROCESS Macro Model 81 in regression analysis to explore the relationships among social anxiety, loneliness, coping styles, and Internet addiction. RESULTS We found that social anxiety not only directly affects teenagers' Internet addiction, but also affects teenagers' Internet addiction through loneliness and coping styles. CONCLUSIONS These results emphasize the importance of improving social anxiety to reduce Internet addiction among adolescents. At the same time, it also emphasizes the need to reduce adolescents' loneliness and cultivating positive coping styles. In addition, this study has certain theoretical significance for teenagers' mental health and intervention studies on Internet addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanglin Dong
- Institute of Nursing and Health, College of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Henan, Kaifeng, China
| | - Haishan Tang
- Institute of Nursing and Health, College of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Henan, Kaifeng, China
| | - Sijia Wu
- Institute of Nursing and Health, College of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Henan, Kaifeng, China
| | - Guangli Lu
- Institute of Business Administration, School of Business, Henan University, Jinming Avenue, Henan, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yanqing Shang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Jinming Avenue, Henan, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
| | - Chaoran Chen
- Institute of Nursing and Health, College of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Henan, Kaifeng, China.
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Bolaji DA, Wu Y, Akintunde TY. Decomposing Cultural Adaptation and Social Support in Relation to New Media Use and Psychological Well-Being Among Immigrants: a Chain Mediation Model. APPLIED RESEARCH IN QUALITY OF LIFE 2024. [DOI: 10.1007/s11482-024-10295-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/01/2024]
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Koire A, Erdei C, Mittal L, Wiegartz P, Liu CH. Virtual(ly) no support: Associations between virtual support group participation and peripartum mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Res 2024; 332:115683. [PMID: 38218050 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined associations between participation in virtual support groups for peripartum women and mental health outcomes at follow-up approximately 8 months later. METHODS This cross-sectional online survey study assessed 383 women from the Perinatal Experiences and COVID-19 Effects (PEACE) study. Initial participants (T1) were re-contacted (T2) and self-reported mental health symptoms of depression (CES-D), anxiety (GAD-7), and COVID-related grief were assessed at both time points. Participants reported involvement in virtual support groups and their perception of the effectiveness of social media in addressing feelings of loneliness. RESULTS The majority (62%) of respondents participated in a virtual support group, 99% of whom used informal social media-based groups (e.g. Facebook groups). At initial evaluation, virtual group participants reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (p=0.008) and COVID grief (p=0.004), but not higher levels of anxiety. Across the cohort, self-reported depressive, anxiety, and grief symptoms did not change significantly at follow-up in paired analysis, and virtual group participants did not demonstrate improvement in mental health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Participation in virtual support groups did not seem to improve mental health outcomes for peripartum women, and most women found social media engagement minimally effective at addressing loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Koire
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - C Erdei
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - L Mittal
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - P Wiegartz
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - C H Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Leung J, Price D, McClure-Thomas C, Bonsaksen T, Ruffolo M, Kabelenga I, Lamph G, Geirdal AØ. Motivation and Hesitancies in Obtaining the COVID-19 Vaccine-A Cross-Sectional Study in Norway, USA, UK, and Australia. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1086. [PMID: 37376475 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccinations protect the public against serious diseases or death; however, some individuals are hesitant in obtaining them. We aim to contribute to the understanding of the challenges of vaccination roll-out by examining the motivations, hesitancies, and their associated factors, in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccines two years into the pandemic. METHODS Cross-sectional online surveys were conducted in Norway, the USA, the UK, and Australia (N = 1649). The participants self-reported whether they had obtained one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Those who had obtained a vaccine reported the reason for their motivation, and those who had not obtained a vaccine reported the reason for their hesitancies. RESULTS More than 80% of the total sample obtained a COVID-19 vaccine because of public health recommendations and trusted that it was safe. Among those who had not obtained one, the most frequent reason was concerns about side effects. Most who obtained the vaccine reported that they believed in science, but many of those who had not obtained one reported distrust. Among those who had not obtained a vaccine, reports of distrust in policies and science were frequent. Concerns about side effects were more common in males and those with lower education, and those living in rural or remote areas. CONCLUSION People who endorsed the vaccine believed that the vaccine reduces the risk of illness, protects the health of others, and had trust in scientific vaccination research. Conversely, the most frequent reason for vaccine hesitancy was concerns about side effects, followed by distrust in healthcare and science. These findings could inform public health strategies that aim to increase vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janni Leung
- Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daicia Price
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Caitlin McClure-Thomas
- Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tore Bonsaksen
- Department of Health and Nursing Science, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2418 Elverum, Norway
- Department of Health, Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, 4024 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Mary Ruffolo
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Isaac Kabelenga
- Department of Social Work and Sociology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia
| | - Gary Lamph
- School of Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing, Edgehill University, Lancashire L39 4QP, UK
| | - Amy Østertun Geirdal
- Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0167 Oslo, Norway
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