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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Perceptions Underlying Addictive Technology Use Patterns: Insights for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Olatz Lopez-fernandezLucia RomoLaurence KernAmélie RousseauPierluigi GrazianiLucien RochatSophia AchabDaniele ZullinoNils Inge LandrøJuan José ZacarésEmilia SerraMariano ChólizHalley M. PontesMark D. GriffithsDaria J. Kusssubject
AdultTechnologyPreoccupied attachment styleInternet addictionHealth Toxicology and Mutagenesis[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]educationBehavioursmanopcognitive-behavioural therapy; cognition; behaviours; internet addiction; compulsive internet use; internet use-related addiction; adults; preoccupied attachment style; mixed-methodsArticleSocial Networking03 medical and health sciencesddc:616.890302 clinical medicineCognitionmental disordersCognitive-behavioural therapyHumansAdultsInternetMixed-methodsCognitive Behavioral TherapyPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthR030227 psychiatry3. Good healthBehavior Addictive[SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]Compulsive internet useVideo GamesMedicineInternet use-related addiction030217 neurology & neurosurgerydescription
International audience; Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the treatment of addictive disorders related to excessive technology use. However, the cognitive components of problematic internet use are not yet well-known. The aim of the present study was to explore the cognitive components, that according to problematic users, can lead to potential internet addiction. A total of 854 European adults completed an online survey using a mixed-methods design. Internet problems and attachment styles were assessed, prevalence rates estimated, correlations, chi-squared automatic interaction detection, and content analysis were performed. Self-reported addictions to social networking, internet, and gaming had a prevalence between 1.2% (gaming) to 2.7% (social networking). Self-perception of the addiction problem and preoccupied attachment style were discriminative factors for internet addiction. In an analysis of qualitative responses from self-identified compulsive internet users, a sense of not belonging and feeling of disconnection during life events were perceived as causes for internet addiction. The development depended on a cycle of mixed feelings associated with negative thoughts, compensated by a positive online identity. The severity of this behaviour pattern produced significant impairment in various areas of the participants’ functioning, suggesting a possible addiction problem. It is suggested that health professionals administering CBT should target unhealthy preoccupations and monitor mixed feelings and thoughts related to internet use to support coping with cognitive distortions.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-04 |