The Effects of Problematic Internet Use and Emotional Connotation on Internet Slang Processing: Evidence from a Lexical Decision Task

Young people use slang for identifying themselves with a particular social group, gaining social recognition and respect from that group, and expressing their emotional state. One feature of Internet slang is its active use by youth in online communication, which, under certain conditions, may cause problematic Internet use (PIU). We conducted two studies in young Russian speakers (n1 = 115, n2 = 106). In study 1, participants were asked to rate a set of slang and common words using Self-Assessment Manikin. The study revealed that the most reliable predictor of higher emotional ratings was word familiarity. There were no significant effects of slang vs. common words or word frequency. In study 2, we used a dual lexical decision task to reveal the effects of word characteristics and propensity for PIU on reaction time (RT) for Internet slang words in pairs with semantically related vs. unrelated common words. Study 2 did not reveal any significant semantic priming effect. Word frequency was a significant predictor of lexical decision facilitation. Common, but not slang, word valence and dominance significantly affected RT in the opposite direction. Individuals with higher cognitive preoccupation with the Internet responded significantly faster, while those more likely to use online communication for mood regulation responded significantly slower to the stimuli. Apparently, on explicit and implicit levels, in-depth knowledge of Internet slang can be one the PIU markers. The results are discussed in line with Davis' approach to determining the general pathological Internet use.

Heart Rate Variability, Time Estimation and Internet-Dependent Behaviour in 16-17-Year-Old Adolescents: A Study in Russian Arctic

Internet-dependent behaviour in adolescents can contribute to a change in the function of the nervous system, which is reflected in the violation of time perception and autonomic regulation of the heart rate. The aim of the study was to determine groups of individuals with different risks of Internet addiction (IA) in relation to heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and the efficiency of time estimation in adolescents aged 16–17 years living in the Russian Arctic. Adolescents aged 16–17 years (n = 49–32 females, 17 males) living in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Russia) were observed. Chen Scale Internet Addiction (CIAS) was used. The duration of an individual 1 min was determined. HRV parameters were determined using the "Varicard" equipment (Russia). In 16–17-year-old adolescents with different levels of risk of developing IA, including signs of IA, we revealed a high severity of symptoms of withdrawal from Internet use, difficulty in time estimation against the background of sympathicotonia and a decrease in vagal regulation of heart rate. In individuals with minimal symptoms of withdrawal from Internet use, the total HRV and vagal activity remain higher than in those with severe withdrawal symptoms, and their time estimation remains effective.

Psychological Factors of Problematic Internet Use in Adolescent and Young Girls

The article introduces a study of the problematic Internet use (PIU) interrelationship with psychological well-being, psychopathological symptoms, and various personality traits. The study involved 432 females aged 14 to 23 years old (M = 17.2, SD = 2) and evaluated with Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS3), Ten Item Personality Measure (TIPI), Perfectionism Inventory, Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). The results indicate that PIU is associated with various psychopathological symptoms and a decrease in psychological well-being. According to multiple linear regression analysis, hypersensitive narcissism, perfectionism, and phobic anxiety are found to be significant predictors of PIU. Protective factors are Conscientiousness of the Big Five and the level of psychological well-being. The paper suggests risk and protective factors that must be considered when preventing the Problematic Internet Use in adolescent and young girls.

Phubbing as a Possible Threat to Close Relationships’ Welfare

The paper focuses on a new phenomenon of modern digital society — phubbing, that is, the manifestation of partner neglect through distraction to a gadget during real communication. The analysis of foreign psychological approaches to its research has been carried out: phubbing is understood as dependence on a mobile phone / Smartphone and social networks; as a result of Internet addiction and problems with self-control; as a new social norm. We present the results of an empirical study of phubbing in close relationships (N=46). Hypothesis: intimacy and attachment to a romantic partner as close relationships` qualitative characteristics increase the sensitivity to a partner`s phubbing. Methods: Partner phubbing (Roberts, David, 2016; Ekimchik, Kryukova, 2019); Multi-Item Measure of Adult Romantic Attachment (Brennan, Shaver, 1995; Ekimchik, Kryukova, 2009); Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale (Aron, Aron, Smollan, 1992; Ekimchik, Kryukova, Zakharchenko, 2018). Results: men more often than women estimate the partners` phubbing negatively. It is found that adult romantic attachment characteristics predict the level of partners` phubbing.