Online Gaming Issues in Offline Couple Relationships: A Primer for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)

Although the challenges around participation in online gaming grow, gamers and their partners who experience online relationship issues related to gaming, present a new set of treatment challenges for therapists. In this article, we report on the findings of a hermeneutic research study aimed at evaluating the scholarly literature related to online gaming and interpret these texts to determine the effect such online activity has on the couple relationship. We reviewed 18 articles published between 1998 and 2010 related to online gaming and interpersonal relationships, focusing solely on empirical articles related to the search criteria. Our interpretation of the text concluded that online gaming might add to and/or interfere with a couple’s life. Based on these potential problem areas, practical considerations for treatment are also outlined

Internet addiction in students: prevalence and risk factors

The last decade has witnessed a large increase in research on the newly emerging mental health problem of Internet addiction. Rather than looking at Internet addiction per se, this study focused on particular activities on the Internet that might be potentially addictive and linked them to personality traits that might predispose individuals to Internet addiction. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the prevalence of clinically significant levels of Internet addiction, and to (ii) discern the interplay between personality traits and specific Internet uses in increasing the risk for Internet addiction. This cross-sectional online survey used data from 2,257 students of an English university. Results indicated that 3.2% of the students were classified as being addicted to the Internet. The included personality traits and uses of online activities explained 21.5% of the variance in Internet addiction. A combination of online shopping and neuroticism decreased the risk for Internet addiction, whereas a combination of online gaming and openness to experience increased it. In addition to this, frequent usage of online shopping and social online activities, high neuroticism and low agreeableness significantly increased the chances of being addicted to the Internet. Findings and their implications are discussed

Internet Addiction and the Relationship to Self and Interpersonal Functioning Within the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD): Implications for Psychosocial Development

Internet addictive use inclusive of inextricably interconnected mobile devices, applications, and social media predicts diminished Self and Interpersonal functioning. Internet addiction research is burdened by conflicting theoretical views, lack of standardized definitions and criteria, and the use of assessment measures adapted from those used for substance use disorders. Alternative and dimensional diagnostic models for internet addiction through a psychosocial developmental lens might further understanding of Internet addiction and reduce challenges which impact the ability to advance research and achieve clinically useful, culturally informed, and evidence-based practices for the assessment and treatment of Internet addiction

Romantic Relationship Issues Described by Young Adults with Moratorium Ego Identity Status and Anxious Attachment Style

This research brings together the theoretical common ground between a specific (moratorium) ego identity status and anxious attachment and explores the relationship between the two empirically. It builds upon existing literature around ego identity statuses, attachment styles and psychosocial developmental theory and investigates the types of relationship difficulties experienced by Turkish young people. To this aim I conducted two related studies, resulting in original quantitative and qualitative research findings. In Study 1 I explored the relationship between ego identity status categories and attachment styles, and between specific ego identity status categories and specific (anxious or avoidant) attachment styles. The findings led to Study 2, with a narrowed down sample group demonstrating moratorium ego identity status and anxious attachment styles. I was able to conduct an in-depth exploration of the particular kinds of relationship and attachment difficulties that they experienced. Overall, the research findings demonstrated a significant relationship between ego identity statuses and attachment anxiety, and moratorium ego identity status and anxious attachment in particular. The key relational issues that emerged from my qualitative study included; different affection styles, power struggles, family intrusiveness, intrusiveness of the partner, perceived clinginess of the partner, dominance in terms of controlling behaviour, and cultural/religious differences. These findings offer a nuanced picture of how these young adults struggle with their romantic relationships in the context of autonomy and conflict that define the loosely collectivist social context. This research makes original contributions to existing knowledge about the interaction of moratorium ego identity status and attachment anxiety during emerging adulthood through empirical findings by combining a qualitative approach with a quantitative methodology. This study also builds upon existing work by engaging with five groups of ego identity status. It adds to our understanding of how transitional ego identity status is a useful category of thought and documents this phenomenon within the Turkish context. Throughout the research I considered my own experience, role as a researcher and the importance of reflexivity. I thought about the themes of transference and countertransference and tried to understand how the interviews contained elements of the participants’ inner experiences. I connect the research findings to clinical implications and also make important recommendations for future research directions

The Impact of Surviving Suicide Loss on Adolescent Psychosocial Development

There has been extensive research in the areas of the impact of suicide and human development over the past several decades. Researchers continue to examine the role that experiencing suicide loss plays in terms of the formation of a healthy identity and overall development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of suicide loss on adolescent development. Specifically, this paper will address the potential impact of surviving a significant suicide loss on adolescent development during the identity versus role confusion stage of Erikson’s theory of development. Based on a thorough review of professional literature, the long-term effects and implications of surviving suicide loss will be discussed in relation to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development

An Attachment Model for Assessing Suicidal Risk

A model for addressing suicidal risk utilizing attachment theory is addressed. Risk factors for suicide have generally been conceptualized at the level of individual characteristics rather than relational dynamics. Combining Shneidman’s common characteristics of a suicidal person with Bowlby’s attachment theory provides for a more relational view of suicide-related behaviors and communications. Considering high rates of suicide, especially among some population groups, it is important to have a more comprehensive framework for suicidal risk from which to treat suicidal clients

Relationships Between Vocational Identity, Substance Use and Criminal Thinking Among Emerging Adults

Successful formation of a self-chosen, purposeful identity in personal, social, educational and vocational areas is a primary task for emerging adults, with failure to do so often resulting in cycles of substance use, unemployment, and delinquent/criminal behavior. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine relationships between vocational identity, substance use, and criminal thinking within the population of emerging adults. The expectancy value theory of motivation, which states that identity may be a motivational construct between self-efficacy and subjective self-values, provided the foundation for the study. The online inventory platform PsychData was used to garner data from a sample of 78 emerging adults measuring vocational identity (using the Vocational Identity Status Assessment [VISA]), substance use (using the CAGE-AID questionnaire), and criminal thinking (using the General Criminal Thinking-GCT scale of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles). A bivariate correlational analysis using SPSS allowed for comparison of the 6 vocational identity statuses of Achieved, Searching Moratorium, Moratorium, Foreclosed, Diffused, and Undifferentiated, against the CAGE-AID scores and the GCT scores for possible relationships. The study did not result in significant correlations between variables; however, poststudy analysis revealed that the Diffused level of vocational identity, which is generally associated with the most negative life patterns, was strongly reflected in the responses of 25-year-old participants. Further research on the significance of vocational identity among older emerging adults may serve both the individual and society through encouraging successful transition to stable and healthy adult roles

Problematic Internet Use in Residence Halls

College students are at higher risk to develop problematic internet use (PIU) than the average person and that risk may negatively impact their college success. Since students with PIU are not violating policies, they are not being identified as having a problem through the student conduct process like other students with problems such as alcohol abuse. While research on PIU is still in its infancy, the research that has been conducted indicates that PIU is a growing problem with no agreed upon definition, diagnosis or treatment. The main purpose of this study was to determine the extent that PIU and PVP exists in residence halls on college campuses. The theoretical framework was the addiction syndrome theory (AST) and is the only current model that can be used to explain all addictions, including behavioral addictions which is the category of addiction the PIU falls under. The main measurement tool was the Young internet addiction test (IAT) which measures levels of online activity. The results of this study were inconclusive. There was a low correlation between online activity and academic performance as measured by academic probation. The weak relationship indicates that PIU may be an issue for college students and therefore may need to be considered when administrators are making policies. Whether the AST proves to be a valid conceptual framework for studying PIU and other addictions remains to be seen. The results here were inconclusive and therefore further research involving AST is needed before drawing any real conclusions

Internet useage and parents’ views about internet addiction

  The purpose of this study; families to identify the measures they have taken to avoid students' internet addiction. Families which have children between the ages of 10-18 and an internet connection at home were included in the research. Residing in the central town of Konya with 15 families were interviewed. Each interview lasted approximately 20 minutes. Descriptive analysis was made in the analyzing of data come by at the end of research. In conclusion, the biggest reason for families to connect to the internet is supporting their children to study and preventing their children go to internet cafes. Families said that their children are using the internet to play the game. About half of families agreed verbally with their children about using internet, but any family does not agree in writing. Twelve families do not use any filter program when they connected to internet. Families understand that their children are addicted to the internet, spending more time on the internet, having communication problems with their families, being disruption of daily life patterns, attending classes and failing lessons. If families’ child is addicted to internet many of them warn verbally and say ban the internet, only four of families said get help from experts. Results of research findings compared with literature and discussed

Toward a Vision of Sexual and Economic Justice

This report is based on the Virginia C. Gildersleeve Lecture and colloquium at Barnard College, with keynote speakers Josephine Ho and Naomi Klein. The participants in the colloquium have all made significant contributions to our understandings of global justice as activists, artists, and scholars who have explored the meanings of economic justice and sexual justice and have worked to build links between these spheres. The aim of the workshop was to articulate connections between struggles for sexual justice and economic justice and to develop new visions of how different people and movements might come together in their efforts to create justice. This report provides a synthesis of the short thought papers the participants developed in preparation for the colloquium and their conversations during the worksho