Uso problemático de las tecnologías, actividades de ocio y funciones ejecutivas en adolescentes

Introducción: El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar la relación entre el uso problemático de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (UPT), las funciones ejecutivas (control inhibitorio, planificación y logro de metas) y las actividades de ocio de los/as adolescentes (ocio positivo y ocio no estructurado), en función del género, la edad y el rendimiento académico. Metodología: En esta investigación han participado 3.831 adolescentes escolarizados de 13 a 18 años de 4 países (Chile, España, México y Perú). El instrumento utilizado es el cuestionario de autoinforme del proyecto YOURLIFE. Se ha realizado un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple con el fin de obtener un modelo predictivo. Resultados Los análisis han mostrado que el UPT era más frecuente en el grupo de más edad. El modelo predictivo ha indicado que un menor control inhibitorio, así como las actividades de ocio no estructurado, se asociaban con el UPT. A su vez, las actividades de ocio positivo (actividades familiares y lectura recreativa) se han presentado como factores protectores de la PUT. Discusión: En el artículo se discute sobre la necesidad de desarrollar programas para adolescentes que promuevan actividades de ocio positivo, la intervención educativa y psicológica y la implicación de los padres y madres en la educación para el uso responsable y eficiente de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación.Introduction: The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of information and communication technologies (PUT), executive functions (inhibitory control, planning and goal achievement) and leisure activities of adolescents (positive leisure and unstructured leisure), according to gender, age and academic performance. Methodology: This research has involved 3,831 school-going adolescents aged 13 to 18 from four countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico and Peru). The instrument used is the self-report questionnaire of the YOURLIFE project. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed in order to obtain a predictive model. Results: The analyses showed that PUT was more frequent in the older group. The predictive model indicated that lower inhibitory control, as well as unstructured leisure activities, were associated with PUT. In addition, positive leisure activities (family activities and recreational reading) were found to be protective factors for PUT. Discussion: The article highlights the need for developmental programs for adolescents that promote positive leisure activities, educational and psychological intervention, and parental involvement in education for responsible and efficient use of information and communication technologies

Uso problemático de las tecnologías, actividades de ocio y funciones ejecutivas en adolescentes

Introducción: El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar la relación entre el uso problemático de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (UPT), las funciones ejecutivas (control inhibitorio, planificación y logro de metas) y las actividades de ocio de los/as adolescentes (ocio positivo y ocio no estructurado), en función del género, la edad y el rendimiento académico. Metodología: En esta investigación han participado 3.831 adolescentes escolarizados de 13 a 18 años de 4 países (Chile, España, México y Perú). El instrumento utilizado es el cuestionario de autoinforme del proyecto YOURLIFE. Se ha realizado un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple con el fin de obtener un modelo predictivo. Resultados Los análisis han mostrado que el UPT era más frecuente en el grupo de más edad. El modelo predictivo ha indicado que un menor control inhibitorio, así como las actividades de ocio no estructurado, se asociaban con el UPT. A su vez, las actividades de ocio positivo (actividades familiares y lectura recreativa) se han presentado como factores protectores de la PUT. Discusión: En el artículo se discute sobre la necesidad de desarrollar programas para adolescentes que promuevan actividades de ocio positivo, la intervención educativa y psicológica y la implicación de los padres y madres en la educación para el uso responsable y eficiente de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación.Introduction: The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of information and communication technologies (PUT), executive functions (inhibitory control, planning and goal achievement) and leisure activities of adolescents (positive leisure and unstructured leisure), according to gender, age and academic performance. Methodology: This research has involved 3,831 school-going adolescents aged 13 to 18 from four countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico and Peru). The instrument used is the self-report questionnaire of the YOURLIFE project. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed in order to obtain a predictive model. Results: The analyses showed that PUT was more frequent in the older group. The predictive model indicated that lower inhibitory control, as well as unstructured leisure activities, were associated with PUT. In addition, positive leisure activities (family activities and recreational reading) were found to be protective factors for PUT. Discussion: The article highlights the need for developmental programs for adolescents that promote positive leisure activities, educational and psychological intervention, and parental involvement in education for responsible and efficient use of information and communication technologies

Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use

The problematic use of technology of children and adolescents is becoming a growing problem. Research has shown that excessive technology use predicts a variety of psychological and physical health problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leisure time activities (structured and unstructured) in adolescents as a predictor of problematic technology use. Participants were 7723 adolescents, of which 55% were girls, from four Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico, and Peru) between the ages of 13 and 18 years. The evaluation instrument applied was the YOURLIFE project self-report questionnaire. Two executive functions were measured: goal setting and inhibitory control. Using structural equation modeling, findings indicated that structured leisure time activities predicted less PTU, whereas unstructured activities predicted more PTU, MLχ2 (69, N = 7723) = 806.60; CFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.042, and the model had good predictive capacity for PTU (R2 = 0.46). Structured and unstructured activities also showed indirect effects on PTU through executive functions. As adolescents spent more time in unstructured leisure activities, poorer goal setting, inhibitory control skills, and more PTU were found. The opposite was true for structured leisure time activities. Implications of structured leisure activities to develop executive functioning and to prevent PTU for adolescents are discussed

Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use

The problematic use of technology of children and adolescents is becoming a growing problem. Research has shown that excessive technology use predicts a variety of psychological and physical health problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leisure time activities (structured and unstructured) in adolescents as a predictor of problematic technology use. Participants were 7723 adolescents, of which 55% were girls, from four Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico, and Peru) between the ages of 13 and 18 years. The evaluation instrument applied was the YOURLIFE project self-report questionnaire. Two executive functions were measured: goal setting and inhibitory control. Using structural equation modeling, findings indicated that structured leisure time activities predicted less PTU, whereas unstructured activities predicted more PTU, MLχ2 (69, N = 7723) = 806.60; CFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.042, and the model had good predictive capacity for PTU (R2 = 0.46). Structured and unstructured activities also showed indirect effects on PTU through executive functions. As adolescents spent more time in unstructured leisure activities, poorer goal setting, inhibitory control skills, and more PTU were found. The opposite was true for structured leisure time activities. Implications of structured leisure activities to develop executive functioning and to prevent PTU for adolescents are discussed

Cyber dating abuse in adolescents: Myths of romantic love, sexting practices and bullying

Cyber dating abuse (CDA) is a growing problem with serious consequences for adolescents, hence the importance of understanding its relationship to other variables for developing more effective prevention strategies. The current study aimed first to analyze CDA, bullying, sexting and myths of romantic love depending on sex (girls vs boys), country (Spain vs Latin American countries) and religiosity (high vs low). The second objective was to investigate the explanatory factors of CDA, examining variables associated with bullying, sexting and myths of romantic love, using structural equation modeling (SEM). The sample consisted of 3264 adolescents between 14 and 18 years old (52% girls; 32% Spanish; 68% Latin Americans). Findings showed that boys had more bullying engagement, sexting, and assumption of myths of romantic love. The highly religious group presented less sexting engagement. The results also revealed that CDA is associated with sexting and that myths of romantic love have mediational effects. Prevention programs should include strategies to help adolescents use the Internet safely and identify any type of abusive behavior both among peers and in a romantic relationship, taking into account the peculiarities of virtual interactions