Exploring individual differences in online addictions: the role of identity and attachment

Research examining the development of online addictions has grown greatly over the last decade with many studies suggesting both risk factors and protective factors. In an attempt to integrate the theories of attachment and identity formation, the present study investigated the extent to which identity styles and attachment orientations account for three types of online addiction (i.e., internet addiction, online gaming addiction, and social media addiction). The sample comprised 712 Italian students (381 males and 331 females) recruited from schools and universities who completed an offline self-report questionnaire. The findings showed that addictions to the internet, online gaming, and social media were interrelated and were predicted by common underlying risk and protective factors. Among identity styles, 'informational' and 'diffuse-avoidant' styles were risk factors, whereas 'normative' style was a protective factor. Among attachment dimensions, the 'secure' attachment orientation negatively predicted the three online addictions, and a different pattern of causal relationships were observed between the styles underlying 'anxious’ and 'avoidant' attachment orientations. Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrated that identity styles explained between 21.2 and 30% of the variance in online addictions, whereas attachment styles incrementally explained between 9.2 and 14% of the variance in the scores on the three addiction scales. These findings highlight the important role played by identity formation in the development of online addictions

Bronchial hyperreactivity and allergic status in inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Despite the known systemic manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a large number of reports associating lung disease and IBD, the frequency of atopy and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in IBD remains obscure. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal pulmonary function tests, BHR and the atopic status in patients with IBD. Methods:Thirty patients with IBD (19 with ulcerative colitis and 11 with Crohn's disease; 19 male, 11 female) and 16 controls without any gastrointestinal disease (9 female, 7 male) were included. Patients were questioned with respect to pulmonary and allergic symptoms; subsequently, lung function tests, BHR, skin prick test positivity, peripheral eosinophilia and serum IgE levels were evaluated and compared with those of control subjects. Results: The mean duration of IBD was 5.3 +/- 4.8 years. IBD patients had significantly more often respiratory symptoms in comparison with controls (odds ratio, OR: 9.0, p < 0.04). A previous diagnosis of asthma and antiasthmatic drug treatment were noted in 3/30 (10%) IBD patients. Allergic symptoms were more prevalent in IBD patients in comparison with the controls (OR: 13, p < 0.007), particularly in patients with ulcerative colitis (OR: 16, p < 0.004). The mean FEV1 was 3.1 +/- 0.9 liters (96 18% predicted), mean methacholine PD20:14.7 +/- 3.6 mg/ml, mean IgE: 190.5 +/- 305.6 IU/ml (normal value <94 IU/ml) and the percentage of peripheral eosinophils was 3.1 +/- 3.3% in the IBD patients. These values did not result in statistically significant differences in comparison with controls. Furthermore, abnormal lung function and BHR were observed in 8/30 (27%) and 5/30 (17%) IBD patients, respectively. Abnormal lung function tests were more prevalent in the IBD patients than in the controls (OR: 12, p < 0.04). Skin prick tests were positive in 15/30 (50%) IBD patients. The risk of a positive skin prick test increased in the IBD patients in comparison with the controls (OR: 7.0, p < 0.02). Duration and activity of IBD did not influence the prevalence of BHR, allergic and respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung function, high serum IgE levels and skin test positivity. Conclusions: Allergic symptoms, respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung function tests and skin prick test positivity were more common among the IBD patients in comparison with the controls. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel