Conducta adictiva a redes sociales y relación con el modelo de los cinco factores de personalidad.

En la actualidad, las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) han propiciado acelerados e innovadores cambios en nuestra sociedad. Las computadoras, dispositivos móviles e Internet han participado debido a su carácter de interactividad teniendo un mayor impacto en los jóvenes, ya que han incorporado estas tecnologías de manera habitual en su vida, utilizándolas como una herramienta de interacción, información, comunicación y conocimiento. Sin embargo, a pesar de los diferentes beneficios que las TIC han ofrecido existe una tendencia en los jóvenes a su uso desmedido teniendo consecuencias psicológicas, sociales, laborales y académicas. Las redes sociales se han convertido en una de las actividades más comunes entre los jóvenes. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la relación que existe entre la conducta adictiva a las redes sociales y los cinco factores de personalidad en una muestra de 251 jóvenes universitarios (102 hombres y 146 mujeres) de entre 18 y 24 años de edad. Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Adicción a Redes Sociales (ARS) y el Big Five Inventory. Los resultados mostraron una correlación significativa positiva en la dimensión de neuroticismo y correlación negativa significativa con las dimensiones de amabilidad y responsabilidad. Los resultados fueron consistentes con investigaciones similares. En conclusión, la investigación arroja evidencia empírica de la relación de la adicción a las redes sociales y la personalida

Experiences, beliefs and attitudes affecting mental health service access amongst suicidal university students

Introduction: In recent years, there have been sustained concerns about suicide amongst UK university students. Despite increasing demand for services for students in severe emotional distress, students may not be accessing support services. This study aimed to identify barriers to, and predictors of, mental health service access for suicidal university students in the UK. Finally, this study also explored ways in which support for suicidal students could be improved. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed in this two-phase study. Content and thematic analyses of interview transcripts were considered alongside current literature in order to develop (in collaboration with students) an online survey asking UK university students about their life experiences, attitudes about mental health stigma and help-seeking, and utilisation of support services. Students also gave suggested improvements for services supporting suicidal students. Results: Commonly reported barriers to help-seeking amongst students were uncertainty around the seriousness of one’s needs and long waiting times. Personal contact with service users, perceived need for help, help-seeking intention and stigma were all found to be associated with suicidal students accessing support. Students commonly suggested services should ensure accessible, safe and varied provision to support students with suicidal ideation. Conclusions: This study has highlighted personal experiences and attitudes which predict service use, including previous social contact with service users, perceived stigma, and self-stigma. A number of frequently endorsed personal and institutional barriers preventing suicidal students accessing services were identified. These findings were discussed in the context of students’ suggestions for improved service provision

INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SOUTH KOREA: ASSOCIATION WITH COMT (VAL158MET) GENOTYPE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

With the recent diversification and universalization of the Internet, the Internet use rate has increased rapidly. A growing body of research suggests that Internet addiction, defined as pathologically preoccupied Internet use, which results in physical, psychological, social, and/or financial distress, has become a serious health and social problem worldwide. The catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) (Val158Met) is one of the candidate genes that have been studied to understand the various illnesses related to dopaminergic neurotransmission, including substance-related and addictive disorders (SRADs). However, little research has been conducted to examine the association between the COMT genotype and Internet addiction. This dissertation is composed of three papers. The first paper is a systematized review of the literature, which aims to synthesize the findings regarding the psychosocial risk factors of Internet addiction among undergraduate students. The second paper is also a systematized review of the literature, which aims to investigate the relationship between the COMT genotype and SRADs. The third paper is a cross-sectional descriptive study that aims to (a) identify issues related to the feasibility of conducting a study that involves the collection of saliva samples and web-based survey data with participants who are undergraduate students in South Korea and (b) describe the relationships among Internet addiction, the COMT genotype, and psychological variables (depressive symptoms, social anxiety, self-esteem, self-efficacy, stress, and coping strategy). The PI recruited 250 Korean undergraduate students from university campuses in Seoul and the Seoul metropolitan area. The study procedure, including the collection of saliva samples and the web-based survey, was found to be feasible. 54.8% of the participants were categorized as having Internet addiction. COMT (Val158Met) was not significantly associated with Internet addiction. However, Internet addiction was significantly associated with all investigated psychological variables. Studies should not be limited to only one genotype, but should include analysis of the multi-locus genetic profile that may be related to Internet addiction. Research that focuses on gene-gene interactions and gene-environmental interactions in terms of Internet addiction is needed. Future research is needed to continue the development of standardized assessment tools and feasible and effective interventions and treatments for Internet addiction.Doctor of Philosoph