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New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use
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New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 19425

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Valentina Boursier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: clinical psychology; social media use and misuse; adolescence; online problematic behaviors; body image; body objectification; narcissism and narcissistic personality; feminine identity; mother-child direct and video observation
Dr. Francesca Gioia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: clinical psychology; social media use and misuse; adolescence; online problematic behaviors; body image; body objectification

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to the forthcoming Special Issue, “New Trends in the Virtual World: Addictions and Problematic Internet Use”, in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 

The relevance of computer-mediated communication in contemporary society and the growth of internet-related activities in the general population have been met with increasing interest in examining dysfunctional and/or psychopathological online behaviors, including, but not limited to, smartphone addiction, online gaming, online gambling, binge-watching behaviors, cybersex, and problematic social media/SNSs use. However, conceptual and methodological issues still remain debated. The general consensus acknowledges a need for careful assessment of the various problematic behaviors associated with the internet—as well as the psychological and psychopathological functioning associated with a maladaptive use of web-related digital activities—to avoid the risk of confusing the quantity of use with the quality of use of internet applications. Accordingly, theoretical and empirical advances are needed to better define online addictive and problematic behaviors, as well as to update knowledge on the potential risks, protective factors, clinical features, and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the development of specific internet-related patterns. Moreover, new trends in prevention programs and psychological treatment addressing problematic online behaviors need to be explored. Therefore, we welcome research findings which will build an integrated framework and an updated understanding of these multifaceted phenomena. We are pleased to invite you to participate in this process!

We welcome the submission of theoretical dissertations, reviews, brief reports, empirical studies, and case studies in clinical psychology.

Prof. Dr. Valentina Boursier
Dr. Francesca Gioia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • online behavioral addictions
  • internet addiction and problematic internet use
  • digital addictions
  • problematic SNS use
  • internet gaming disorder
  • online gambling
  • smartphone addiction and problematic smartphone use
  • risk and protective factors
  • psychological assessment and treatment

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 389 KiB  
Article
What Adolescents Have to Say about Problematic Internet Use: A Qualitative Study Based on Focus Groups
by Simone Rollo, Claudia Venuleo, Lucrezia Ferrante and Raffaele De Luca Picione
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(21), 7013; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20217013 - 2 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2178
Abstract
In this paper, the study presented is designed to gain a deeper insight into how adolescents describe, understand, and suggest dealing with Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Eight focus groups were activated with a total of 70 students from the 9th and 11th grades [...] Read more.
In this paper, the study presented is designed to gain a deeper insight into how adolescents describe, understand, and suggest dealing with Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Eight focus groups were activated with a total of 70 students from the 9th and 11th grades (Mean Age = 15.53 ± 1.202; Female = 44.4%) in four different schools in Southern Italy. A Thematic Analysis was applied to the verbatim transcripts, and seven macro-categories were identified throughout the discourses collected: definition of PIU, symptomatology, impact, determinants, intervention strategy, opportunities and limits of the digital world, and needs that adolescents try to satisfy by surfing the net and which the offline world does not fulfill. Participants converge in seeing PIU in terms of addiction but adopt heterogeneous viewpoints in talking about the reasons for problematic engagement and possible preventive intervention strategies. In the overall picture emerging from the responses, PIU appeared to be the outcome of a psychological dynamic emerging from the interaction of individual, interpersonal, and sociocultural dimensions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use)
13 pages, 525 KiB  
Article
Press Play to Feel: The Role of Attachment Styles and Alexithymic Features in Problematic Gaming
by Andrea Scalone, Gianluca Santoro, Josephin Cavallo, Alessandra Melita, Alessio Gori and Adriano Schimmenti
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(20), 6910; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206910 - 11 Oct 2023
Viewed by 2524
Abstract
Problematic gaming has been consistently associated with insecure attachment styles and alexithymia. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of specific alexithymic features and insecure attachment styles on problematic gaming. The study included a sample of 358 online game players (242 males, [...] Read more.
Problematic gaming has been consistently associated with insecure attachment styles and alexithymia. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of specific alexithymic features and insecure attachment styles on problematic gaming. The study included a sample of 358 online game players (242 males, 67.6%) between the ages of 18 and 59 (M = 28.46; SD = 8.76) who were recruited from online gaming communities. The participants completed a sociodemographic schedule and measures on attachment styles, alexithymia, and problematic gaming. The results provide evidence for a positive prediction of problematic gaming by dismissing attachment style and the alexithymic factors concerning the difficulty identifying feelings and externally oriented thinking, even when controlling for potentially confounding factors, such as age, sex, education, marital status, and self-reported time devoted to online games. Additionally, the analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between externally oriented thinking and dismissing attachment style in the prediction of problematic gaming. The interaction implies that the alexithymia factors pertaining to externally oriented thinking hold significant relevance in predicting problematic gaming behaviors, especially in cases where dismissive attachment levels are moderately to highly present. These findings emphasize the significance of considering specific insecure attachment styles and alexithymic features when studying problematic gaming behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use)
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21 pages, 718 KiB  
Article
Flow Experience Is a Key Factor in the Likelihood of Adolescents’ Problematic TikTok Use: The Moderating Role of Active Parental Mediation
by Yao Qin, Alessandro Musetti and Bahiyah Omar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032089 - 23 Jan 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 8291
Abstract
TikTok use and overuse have grown rapidly in recent years among adolescents. However, risk factors for problematic TikTok use are still largely unknown. In addition, drawing on the flow theory and parental mediation theory, this study aims to examine how adolescents’ perceptions of [...] Read more.
TikTok use and overuse have grown rapidly in recent years among adolescents. However, risk factors for problematic TikTok use are still largely unknown. In addition, drawing on the flow theory and parental mediation theory, this study aims to examine how adolescents’ perceptions of enjoyment, concentration, and time distortion affect their problematic TikTok use behavior. Further, we examined the moderating effect of active parental mediation. An online survey in China received responses from a sample of 633 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 (males: 51.2%; Mage = 15.00; DS = 0.975). Our findings showed that enjoyment was positively associated with concentration and, in turn, with time distortion. We also found significant positive effects of concentration and time distortion on problematic TikTok use. The effect of enjoyment, however, was non-significant, indicating that hedonic mood was not associated with problematic TikTok use. Out of the three moderated relationships examined in this study, only active parental control was found to be a significant moderator for the relationship between concentration and problematic TikTok use. The significant negative moderation result showed that as active parental mediation grows, the impact of adolescents’ concentration on problematic TikTok use is reduced. Future research directions and implications are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use)
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Review

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29 pages, 648 KiB  
Review
Problematic Media Use among Children up to the Age of 10: A Systematic Literature Review
by Valeria Rega, Francesca Gioia and Valentina Boursier
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105854 - 17 May 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5606
Abstract
Introduction: Digital screen media use has significantly grown in all age groups and at an increasingly young age, including toddlers, schoolers, and primary school children. Although there is evidence that excessive early childhood media exposure can lead to several negative developmental outcomes, no [...] Read more.
Introduction: Digital screen media use has significantly grown in all age groups and at an increasingly young age, including toddlers, schoolers, and primary school children. Although there is evidence that excessive early childhood media exposure can lead to several negative developmental outcomes, no systematic review on Problematic Media Use (PMU) of children under 10 years old have been provided. The aim of the present systematic review was to identify (i) the main instruments used to measure children’s PMU across different studies; (ii) the risk and protective factors which might increase or reduce children’s PMU; and (iii) the negative outcomes associated with children’s PMU. Methods: This study was conducted following the systematic review guidelines proposed in the PRISMA statement. A total of 35 studies published between 2012–2022 and with a mean sample age between 0 and 10 years old were ultimately included in this literature review. Results: Use of media for more than 2 h a day, male gender, and higher age increased the risk of developing PMU among children. PMU led to several negative consequences for children’s development and well-being (e.g., more problematic behaviors, sleep problems, higher depressive symptoms, lower emotional intelligence, and lower academic achievements). Children who experienced negative psychological symptoms, a dysfunctional parent–child relationship, and difficulties in school context were more prone to develop PMU. However, an authoritative parenting style and restrictive parental mediation reduced the risk of developing PMU among children. Finally, self-report measures specifically designed to get the younger children’s perspective are still few and not so widely used. Conclusions: Overall, this research field is still in its infancy and needs further investigation. Likely, a dysfunctional family system can lead children to experience emotional distress and negative psychological symptoms, which they try to manage by escaping into the virtual world, thus increasing the risk of developing PMU. As the children’s PMU is closely affected by the family environment, future prevention interventions should target both children and their parents to improve their self-regulatory and mentalizing capabilities, as well as parental mediation strategies and general parenting practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use)
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