969 research outputs found

    Testing a balanced social networking site diet : its impact on anxiety and stress

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    Current research on the effects of SNS usage provides mixed evidence, pointing to positive or negative outcomes while neglecting an integrated perspective. This points to the need to holistically investigate the effects of SNS use to identify a healthy level of SNS use. The present study considered the consequences of SNS use holistically, examining how an SNS diet affects anxiety, stress, and well-being. The variables were measured using an online questionnaire before, during and after a two-week experiment with a sample of 18 participants. Results showed that adherence to the newly developed SNS diet had a measurable, significant effect on reducing anxiety, social comparisons and benign envy. No significant effect was found on perceived stress, malicious envy or social anxiety, and the study failed to find significant improvements in subjective and psychological well-being. Several hypotheses remained unsupported due to the small sample size and lack of assumption of normal distribution. However, assessing the participants’ qualitative feedback provided insights into individual improvements in well-being, revealing the potential of conscious processing and self-awareness in mitigating the unfavourable outcomes of SNS usage. Future studies are needed to replicate and validate the findings on a larger scale and to overcome its limitations. Overall, the findings strongly imply that adhering to the SNS diet proved to be an effective tool for counteracting and even reducing the negative effects that the use of SNSs may heighten.A investigação atual sobre os efeitos da utilização dos SNS fornece resultados mistos, apontando para resultados positivos e negativos, e ao mesmo tempo para a falta de uma perspetiva integrada. Isto indica a necessidade de investigar holísticamente os efeitos da utilização dos SNS para identificar um nível saudável de utilização. O presente estudo considerou as consequências do uso dos SNS de uma forma holística, examinando como uma dieta de SNS afecta a ansiedade, o estresse e o bem-estar. As variáveis foram medidas antes, durante e após uma experiência de duas semanas com uma amostra de 18 participantes através de questionários online. Os resultados mostram que a adesão à dieta dos SNS recentemente recentemente sugerida na experiência realizada teve um efeito mensurável e significativo na redução da ansiedade, nas comparações sociais e na inveja benigna. Não foi encontrado qualquer efeito significativo na percepção de estresse, inveja maliciosa nem ansiedade social, e o estudo não conseguiu determinar melhorias significativas no bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico. Várias hipóteses não foram confirmadas devido à pequena amostra e à falta de distribuição normal. No entanto, a avaliação do feedback qualitativo dos participantes proporcionou uma percepção das melhorias individuais no bem-estar, revelando o potencial do processamento consciente e da auto-conscientização na mitigação dos efeitos desfavoráveis da utilização de SNS. São necessários estudos futuros para replicar e validar os resultados numa escala maior e para superar as limitações. Em geral, os resultados implicam fortemente que a adesão à dieta de SNS pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz para contrariar e mesmo reduzir os efeitos negativos que o uso de SNS pode aumentar

    A multi-modal investigation of reward-based mechanisms underlying excessive and problematic social networking site use

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    The use of social networking sites (SNSs) has become a universally popular activity, but there also exists widespread concerns regarding the harmful consequences associated with SNS overuse, including the potential for addiction. Nonetheless, the extent to which a ‘SNS addiction’ represents a valid psychiatric disorder is still controversially discussed in the scientific literature. The present thesis sought to better understand excessive and problematic SNS use behaviours by assessing the underlying reward-based mechanisms using a range of measurement modalities (i.e., self-report, implicit behavioural, psychophysiological, and neural). Chapter two demonstrated the utility of reward-related motives in predicting problematic SNS use behaviours, with motives related to social reward (e.g., obtaining ‘likes’) being the strongest predictor of more harmful use. Chapter three assessed explicit and implicit motivational responses to SNS stimuli but found no clear evidence of altered explicit cue reactivity or automatic action tendencies in more problematic SNS users. Chapter four tracked changes in affective and motivational responses during a week of restricted SNS use, however findings revealed no substantial impact on mood or cravings in both regular and problematic users. Chapter five investigated the effect of brief periods of SNS use and subsequent use cessation on heart rate and skin conductance. While SNS use and cessation were associated with distinct physiological changes, these effects were experienced ubiquitously and could not differentiate problematic users from regular users. Chapter 6 systematically reviewed the MRI literature for evidence of neural abnormalities associated with SNS use. Some neural similarities with substance use addictions were identified, but existing research was scarce and findings across studies were largely inconsistent. Taken together, we did not find convincing evidence of a distinct cognitive, behavioural, or physiological profile in problematic SNS users. Therefore, the present thesis argues that conceptualising excessive or problematic SNS use as a new behavioural addiction would be premature. It is clear that SNS use is a highly rewarding and engaging activity that can be overused with negative effects, but equating this behaviour to conditions such as alcohol, cocaine, and heroin disorders risks trivialising the field of addiction research

    How ICTs can influence psychological wellbeing: an analysis of uses and addiction potential

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    Les Tecnologies de la Informació i les Comunicacions (TIC) com Internet i els telèfons intel·ligents van entrar a la nostra vida fa només uns 20 anys, però, en aquest curt període de temps, han reconvertit profundament el funcionament de la societat i dels individus de tot el món. Això ha portat a preguntes i investigacions sobre com l’ús freqüent de la tecnologia influeix en la nostra salut social i psicològica. Aquest treball de tesi vol aportar informació sobre aquest tema a través de quatre estudis sobre tres de les TIC més populars - telèfons intel·ligents, xarxes socials en línia i Internet- i mitjançant la lent de tres preguntes d’investigació - 1) La addicció és el marc adequat per utilitzar a l’hora de investigar. ús problemàtic de les TIC?; 2) Quins són els efectes de la cultura en un ús problemàtic de les TIC?; i 3. Quins usos concrets s’associen a problemes relacionats amb les TIC? Les conclusions a què arribem són les següents. En aquest moment, l’addicció no és un terme adequat per utilitzar-se en la investigació sobre problemes relacionats amb les TIC. En segon lloc, certs usos específics s’associen a conseqüències problemàtiques de l’ús de les TIC, mentre que altres usos no ho són, per tant no és prudent patologitzar totes les TIC. En tercer lloc, els usos associats a un ús problemàtic són diferents segons la cultura de l’usuari. En una cultura, un ús particular de les TIC pot ser problemàtic, mentre que en un altre país pot ser adaptatiu. En quart lloc, alguns aspectes de l’ús de les TIC semblen ser més o menys constants en cultures com ara els usos més populars dels telèfons intel·ligents i els factors subjacents de l’ús problemàtic de les TIC.Las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC) como Internet y los teléfonos inteligentes entraron en nuestras vidas hace solo 20 años, pero en este corto periodo de tiempo han rediseñado profundamente la forma en que funcionan la sociedad y las personas en todo el mundo. Esto ha llevado a preguntas y investigaciones sobre cómo el uso frecuente de las tecnologías influye en nuestra salud social y psicológica. El objetivo de este trabajo de tesis es aportar información sobre este tema a través de cuatro estudios sobre tres de las TIC más populares: teléfonos inteligentes, redes sociales en línea y Internet y a través de la lente de tres preguntas de investigación: 1) ¿Es la adicción el marco correcto para usar en las investigaciones del uso problemático de las TIC?; 2) ¿Cuáles son los efectos de la cultura en el uso problemático de las TIC?; y 3) ¿Qué usos específicos están asociados con los problemas relacionados con las TIC? Las conclusiones a las que llegamos son las siguientes. En este momento, la adicción no es un término adecuado para usar en la investigación sobre problemas relacionados con las TIC. En segundo lugar, ciertos usos específicos están asociados con consecuencias problemáticas del uso de las TIC, mientras que otros usos no lo son, por lo tanto, no es prudente patologizar la totalidad de las TIC. En tercer lugar, los usos asociados con el uso problemático de las TIC son diferentes según la cultura del usuario. En una cultura, un uso particular de las TIC puede ser problemático, mientras que en otro país puede ser adaptativo. En cuarto lugar, ciertos aspectos del uso de las TIC parecen ser más o menos constantes en todas las culturas, como los usos más populares de los smartphones y los factores subyacentes del uso problemático de las TIC.Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as the Internet and smartphones entered our lives only about 20 years ago, yet in that short time they have deeply rewired the way society and individuals all around the world function. This has led to questions and investigations regarding how the frequent use of technology influences our societal and psychological health. This thesis work aims to contribute some insight on this subject through four research papers about three of the most popular ICTs - smartphones, social media and the Internet and through the lens of three research questions - 1) Is addiction the correct framework to use when researching problematic ICT use?; 2) What are the effects of culture on problematic ICT use?; and 3) What specific uses are associated with ICT-related problems? The conclusions we arrive at are the following. At this time, addiction is not a suitable term to use in the research on ICT related problems. Secondly, certain specific uses are associated with problematic consequences of ICT use whereas other uses are not, therefore it is unwise to pathologize the entire ICT. Thirdly, the uses that are associated with problematic ICT use are different depending on the culture of the user. In one culture a particular ICT use can be problematic, whereas in another country it may be adaptive. Fourthly, certain aspects of ICT use appear to be more or less constant across cultures such as the most popular smartphone uses and the underlying factors of problematic ICT use

    Why We Cannot Resist Our Smartphones: Investigating Compulsive Use of Mobile SNS from a Stimulus-Response-Reinforcement Perspective

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    Compulsive smartphone use has attracted extensive social attention because of serious and even fatal outcomes associated with it. However, there has been little theory-driven research systematically investigating the mechanism of compulsive behavior in smartphone use. Although a significant line of literature exists in the area of personal-computer based technology addiction, the mechanism underpinning compulsive smartphone use differs significantly because the unique and specific characteristics of smartphones have given rise to a fundamentally different usage context with new usage behavioral patterns. In order to comprehensively theorize this issue, we first defined compulsive behavior in smartphone use, focusing on mobile social networking services (SNSs) in particular, and then extended the stimulus-response-reinforcement framework to investigate the theoretical network of compulsive use of mobile SNSs. We used online survey data from 368 active mobile SNS users in China to empirically test and validate the proposed model and hypotheses. Our results indicate that both positive and negative reinforcements, as well as the compensatory component, invoke the feeling of urge that leads to compulsive mobile SNS use. The positive effects of interactivity as an incentive stimulus on those reinforcements and compulsive mobile SNS use were also found to be significant

    Childhood emotional abuse and problematic social networking sites use in a sample of Italian adolescents: The mediating role of deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning.

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    Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is associated with various negative mental health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between CEA and problematic social networking site (SNS) use in a sample of Italian adolescents. Using structural equation modeling, the study examined whether the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use was sequentially mediated by self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning in 1308 Italian adolescents (628 males, age range 13-19 years). A history of CEA was positively associated with problematic SNS use. Furthermore, deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning partially mediated the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use. The present study provides additional insight into the psychological dynamics underpinning problematic SNS use among adolescents. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed

    Childhood emotional abuse and problematic social networking sites use in a sample of Italian adolescents: The mediating role of deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning

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    Objective: Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is associated with various negative mental health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between CEA and problematic social networking site (SNS) use in a sample of Italian adolescents. Design: Using structural equation modeling, the study examined whether the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use was sequentially mediated by self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning in 1308 Italian adolescents (628 males, age range 13–19 years). Results: A history of CEA was positively associated with problematic SNS use. Furthermore, deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning partially mediated the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use. Conclusions: The present study provides additional insight into the psychological dynamics underpinning problematic SNS use among adolescents. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed

    Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature

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    Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a ‘global consumer phenomenon’ with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that ‘addiction’ to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction

    Do Social Network Sites Enhance or Undermine Subjective Well‐Being? A Critical Review

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    Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136039/1/sipr12033.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136039/2/sipr12033_am.pd

    Social networks use disorder and associations with depression and anxiety symptoms: a systematic review of recent research in China

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    Background: An increasing number of studies have investigated Social Networks Use Disorder (SNUD) among Western samples. In this context, the investigation of SNUD in Asia and especially in China has been much neglected. This poses a gap in the literature; it has been estimated that more than one billion Chinese people are using Chinese social networking sites (SNSs). Of note, many of these Chinese SNSs are rather unknown to researchers in Western countries. Aims: The primary objective of the present systematic review was to identify and evaluate studies that investigated Chinese SNS use and associations between SNUD and depression and anxiety symptoms. Method: A comprehensive search strategy identified relevant studies in PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI). Results: The search strategy identified 35 potential studies, 13 studies were identified after shortlisting and full-text reviews of the studies, and finally 10 studies were included in the full review. Associations between SNUD, depression, and anxiety were reported in 10 studies. In eight (of the 10) studies, symptom severity of SNUD was associated with depression. Four studies reported associations between SNUD and anxiety. Most studies had utilized cross-sectional survey designs. Conclusions: Most associations were found between SNUD and depression symptoms, but effect sizes were higher between SNUD and anxiety symptoms. The results have the potential to inform prevention and interventions on SNUD in Eastern cultures, although we explicitly state that our work focuses on China, the transfer of the present observations to other Asian countries (and their cultures) still needs to be established
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