Health impact of screen addiction: A cross-sectional comparative study.

Background Prevalence-based, non-comparative studies have been done to assess psychological and physical consequences of social media and gaming addiction. However, similar studies are lacking for binge-watching, especially in India. We compared the physical and psychological health impact between screen addicted and healthy screen users, by minimizing bias due to confounding factors. Methods We did this cross-sectional comparative study among 120 participants (60 cases and 60 matched controls) consisting of gamers, social media users and binge-watchers, who were recruited from schools and colleges of Mumbai based on their scores on the Digital Addiction Scale (DAS). Levels of depression, anxiety and stress; sleep quality; and dry eye disease were assessed using pre-validated scales such as DASS-21, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), respectively, while the other variables were assessed using a self-designed questionnaire with a content validity ratio (CVR) >0.65. Results The mean (SD) age of the participants was 19.3 (3.2) years, one-third were women; 68% were from medical colleges and 16% each from engineering colleges and high schools. The prevalence and scores of depression, anxiety and stress; poor sleep quality; and dry eye disease; and prevalence of loneliness, aggression and musculoskeletal pain in the wrist, thumb, neck and back were significantly higher in the screen addicted group (p<0.05). Conclusions There was a significant difference in the prevalence and levels of physical and psychological health impact between screen addicted and healthy screen users.

Effectiveness and Acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy for Gaming Disorder: Protocol for a Nonrandomized Intervention Study of a Novel Psychological Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Gaming disorder (GD) is a new official diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, and with its recognition, the need to offer treatment for the condition has become apparent. More knowledge is needed about the type of treatment needed for this group of patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a novel module-based psychological treatment for GD based on cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy. METHODS: This study is a nonrandomized intervention study, with a pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up design. It will assess changes in GD symptoms, psychological distress, and gaming time, alongside treatment satisfaction, working alliance, and a qualitative exploration of patients' and relatives' experiences of the treatment. RESULTS: This study started in March 2022 and the recruitment is expected to close in August 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluates the effectiveness and acceptability of a psychological treatment for patients with problematic gaming behavior and GD. It is an effectiveness trial and will be conducted in routine care. This study will have high external validity and ensure that the results are relevant for a diverse clinical population with psychiatric comorbidity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06018922; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06018922. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56315.

Longitudinal Associations between Healthy Eating Habits, Resilience, Insomnia, and Internet Addiction in Chinese College Students: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis.

This study aimed to explore the longitudinal associations between healthy eating habits, resilience, insomnia, and Internet addiction by using a cross-lagged panel analysis of Chinese college students. Overall, 807 Chinese college students completed questionnaires on healthy eating habits, resilience, insomnia, and Internet addiction from August 2020 (time 1, T1) to November 2020 (time 2, T2), and were selected for the data analyses. Healthy eating habits (T1) had significant effects on resilience (T2; ß = 0.064, p < 0.05) and insomnia (T2; ß = -0.064, p < 0.05), but not Internet addiction (T2; ß = -0.028, p > 0.05). Insomnia (T1) negatively predicted resilience (T2; ß = -0.098, p < 0.01). Insomnia was bidirectionally associated with Internet addiction (Internet addiction at T1 to insomnia at T2: ß = 0.085, p < 0.01; insomnia at T1 to Internet addiction at T2: ß = 0.070, p < 0.05). Additionally, Internet addiction (T1) significantly predicted resilience (T2; ß = -0.075, p < 0.05). This study further expanded the understanding of the longitudinal associations between healthy eating habits, resilience, insomnia, and Internet addiction, which provided higher-level evidence and important implications for the interventions for reducing college students' Internet addiction, developing healthy eating habits, and improving resilience and sleep health.

Problematic use of the internet as a predictor of oral health-related quality of life: the mediating role of lifestyles in Peruvian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The pervasiveness of the Internet in everyday life, especially among young people, has raised concerns about its effects on mental health, education, and, recently, oral health. Previous research has suggested a complex relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), lifestyles, and oral health-related quality of life, highlighting the need to examine these interactions further. This study seeks to explore the PIU as a predictor of oral health-related quality of life and examine the mediating role of lifestyles between both in a sample of Peruvian schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 293 Peruvian students aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.42, SD = 1.5), using structural equations to analyze the relationship between PIU, lifestyles, and quality of life related to oral health. The data collection procedure was through a face-to-face survey. Validated instruments measured PIU, lifestyles, and oral health-related quality of life. The study's theoretical model was analyzed through structural equation modeling with the MLR estimator. The fit assessment was performed using the comparative fit index (CFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR). RESULTS: They indicated significant correlations between PIU, lifestyles, and oral health-related quality of life. A negative influence of PIU on lifestyles (ß = -0.30, p < .001) and on oral health-related quality of life (ß = -0.35, p < .001) was observed, as well as a positive relationship between PIU and oral health-related quality of life (ß = 0.29, p < .001). The mediation of lifestyles was statistically significant, suggesting that they mediate the relationship between PIU and oral health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that PIU can negatively affect adolescents' oral health-related quality of life, mediated by unhealthy lifestyles. It underlines the importance of promoting balanced Internet use and healthy lifestyles among young people to improve their oral well-being.

Supervisor's neuroticism and problematic Internet use among graduate students: the mediating role of supervisor-student relationship quality and the moderating role of fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Graduate students exhibit vulnerability to problematic Internet use, which can result in adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences. However, limited studies have addressed this issue among graduate students, and even fewer have explored the unique factors contributing to their problematic Internet use. Therefore, to address this gap, the current study aims to probe the relationship between supervisor's neuroticism and problematic Internet use among graduate students, the mediating effect of the supervisor-student relationship quality, as well as the moderating effect of fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 at three universities in Beijing, China. Anonymous data from 448 graduate students were collected regarding problematic Internet use, supervisor's neuroticism, supervisor-student relationship quality, and the fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. A moderated mediation analysis was performed using Hayes' PROCESS macro (Model 14). RESULTS: Supervisor's neuroticism was positively linked to graduate students' problematic Internet use, supervisor-student relationship quality mediated the linkage, and fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation played a moderating role in the second stage. Specifically, for students lower in fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation, supervisor-student relationship quality negatively predicted students' problematic Internet use. While for the graduate students higher in fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation, supervisor-student relationship quality could not significantly predict students' problematic Internet use. The mediating effect was only significant for graduate students lower in fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: This study established a theoretical model linking supervisor's neuroticism to graduate students' problematic Internet use, highlighting the potential roles of supervisor-student relationship quality and fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation. Reducing the neuroticism level of the supervisor, enhancing the quality of the supervisor-student relationship, and mitigating students' fear of the supervisor's negative evaluation will contribute to the reduction of problematic Internet use among graduate students.

The relationship between health literacy and problematic internet use in Chinese college students: The mediating effect of subject well-being and moderating effect of social support.

BACKGROUND: The issue of problematic Internet use (PIU) amongst college students is emerging as a major concern for mental health. Factors such as health literacy, subjective well-being and the extent of social support may be critical in preventing PIU. However, the complex relationship between these factors has not been extensively explored in research. METHODS: A national cross-sectional study based on multistage random sampling was conducted in China in 2022. The subjects for this study were 7669 college students who completed a set of questionnaires assessing their health literacy, subjective well-being, PIU and social support. A structural equation model (SEM) was utilised for exploring the mediating effect of subjective well-being, and the PROCESS macro was used to test the moderating effect of social support. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic factors, a significantly negative correlation was found between health literacy and PIU, and subjective well-being partially mediated this relationship. In addition, social support was negatively related to PIU and could moderate the relationship between health literacy and subjective well-being and between subjective well-being and PIU. LIMITATIONS: This is a cross-sectional study, and the results cannot inform the causality between these variables. CONCLUSION: Results revealed that the relationship between health literacy and PIU was partially mediated by subjective well-being in college students. The correlation between health literacy and subjective well-being and between subjective well-being and PIU were moderated by social support. Thus, future interventions for college students' PIU should be facilitated by improving health literacy, subjective well-being and social support.

Problematic use of Internet in a sample of psychiatric outpatients: preliminary observations from the "real world".

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the prevalence, characteristics, and psychopathology related to Problematic Use of Internet (PUI), including Internet Addiction (IA), within a sample of psychiatric outpatients. METHODS: 143 psychiatric stable outpatients (18-65, mean age: 49; F=84) were included in this study, regardless of their categorical diagnosis. Socio-demographic, clinical, psychopathological, and Internet use-related data (PIU-Scale, Internet Addiction Test, devices, use, activities) were collected across the sample. RESULTS: The prevalence of PUI ranged between 1% (IAT) and 25% (PIU-S), with a homogeneous distribution of PUI symptoms' severity among the four main psychopathological areas (depressive, bipolar, anxiety, and psychotic disorders). PUI was correlated with age and was higher in students as in the general population. Significant associations were found between PUI symptoms and both personality and eating disorders; PUI was also positively correlated with the presence of other addictions (e.g., alcohol and/or substances). A greater proportion of patients with PUI presented other forms of behavioural addiction compared to non-symptomatic patients. Social media and online shopping, as well as video-streaming, resulted to be the main forms of PUI among patients with problematic use of the Internet. DISCUSSION: More studies are required among students diagnosed with eating and personality disorders. The association between PUI and other addictive disorders would support the hypothesis of their common shared pathophysiology. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers and educators should be made aware of such risks. More studies are needed to confirm such preliminary findings.

Tech Gaming Designs, Neurodevelopmental Vulnerabilities, and Risks for Internet Gaming Disorder: What Clinicians Need to Know.

Importance: Digital gaming has surged in recent decades and is widely available to individuals of all ages. Although the construct of play and games is anthropologically linked to human development, the central question remains: Does the exponential technological advancement target vulnerabilities linked to the risk of addiction? A growing burden of individuals who blur the lines between use, misuse, and addiction adds to the list of many confounders linked to mental health crises. The growing body of literature led to the addition of internet gaming disorder (IGD) to the conditions that need further research section of the DSM-5-TR.Observations: Results indicate that IGD has similar neurobiological changes to those of nicotine addiction and underscores how tech game designs are linked to gaming addiction. Additionally, a history of psychiatric diagnoses further increases the risk of developing IGD.Conclusion and Relevance: With the rapidly evolving technological landscape, using broader terminologies and definitions would aid in understanding the scope of IGD. Besides more education on IGD, a readily accessible screening tool could assist with early detection and referral to experts. While there is a dearth of specific evidence-based interventions, applying the principles of motivational interventions and harm reduction models has shown some promise. The establishment of a standardized screening and treatment approach for IGD is necessary. Clinicians must address the neurobiological aspects of IGD for effective interventions. Awareness of risk factors is key for early identification and intervention.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2024;26(4):24nr03712. Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

Cognitive-behavioral statuses in depression and internet gaming disorder of adolescents: A transdiagnostic approach.

To investigate the comorbidity of adolescent depression and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and their shared and unique cognitive-behavioral factors (i.e., self-esteem, dysfunctional attitudes, hopelessness, and coping), a large-scale school-based survey was conducted among 3147 Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong. Probable depression and IGD were screened using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale and DSM-5 IGD checklist, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify the associations between different condition statuses and cognitive-behavioral factors. Four groups were identified, including comorbidity group (having probable depression and IGD), IGD group (having probable IGD alone), depression group (probable depression alone), and healthy group (neither condition). Comorbidity group showed the worst cognitive-behavioral statuses, followed by depression group and then IGD group. Compared with healthy group, those with lower self-esteem and higher hopelessness and dysfunctional attitudes were more likely to be classified into depression group and comorbidity group, while maladaptive coping was positively associated with all three disorder groups. The results suggest that depression and IGD may share common cognitive-behavioral mechanisms (e.g., maladaptive coping) but also own their uniqueness regarding specific factors (e.g., hopelessness and self-esteem). A transdiagnostic intervention approach targeting the common factors may effectively address the comorbidity.

Motivational orientations of students towards internet dependent behavior and measures for its prevention.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The aim is to study the motivation of students towards Internet dependent behavior and develop practical recommendations for improving a set of measures for its prevention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research involved 154 students of the National Academy of Internal Affairs. Research methods: analysis and generalization of literature sources, questionnaire, statistical methods. RESULTS: Results: The priority motives of students who manifest Internet dependence behavior were identif i ed. The motivational orientations of students determine their systematic stay in the virtual environment and include, first of all, compliance with modern world trends; accessibility of content; the need for recognition of personal results by other users; satisfaction with virtual communication with the social environment. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The practical recommendations for improving a set of measures to counteract the spread of Internet dependence among students were developed. Overcoming Internet dependence involves influencing a person to change his or her motivational and value as well as communication spheres. Prevention of Internet dependence involves public health professionals conducting awareness-raising as well as psychological and correctional work with the most vulnerable categories of people.

Investigating social media addiction and impact of social media addiction, loneliness, depression, life satisfaction and problem-solving skills on academic self-efficacy and academic success among university students.

Introduction: The negative effects of post-COVID-19 restrictions have been detected in students' mental well-being due to internet addiction, changing habits, despair and uncertainty. Students' academic success is expected to be affected by social media addiction, loneliness, depression, life satisfaction, problem solving skills and academic self-efficacy factors. This study aimed to determine the level of social media addiction and the effects of these factors on the academic success of university students and define their interactions with each other. Methods: Four hundred nineteen questionnaires were collected between October-December 2022 at Bingöl University, Türkiye. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, One-Way ANOVA, correlation and multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze data with the help of the SPSS 22 software. Results: Middle level grade (GPA) average (71,17 ± 9,69 out of 100), low level social support from friends and family members (34,6%), spending more than 4 h on social media (42,5%), middle level social media addiction, moderate depression level (51,31%-PHQ > 10), mild loneliness and slight dissatisfaction with life were found among students. Furthermore, high academic self-efficacy, moderate agreement with academic performance and good problem-solving skills were indicated in the survey results. Significant differences, such as higher life satisfaction among males and higher depression among females, were measured. Academic self-efficacy scale, problem solving skills and satisfaction with life had a negative correlation with social media addiction and depression, while a positive correlation with academic performance measures. Problem solving skills, satisfaction with life, fourth class vs. others and living alone vs. others were positive predictors of the academic self-efficacy. Meanwhile, loneliness was a negative predictor of the academic self-efficacy, while higher problem-solving skills and being female were positive factors leading to a higher GPA. Discussion: The fact that the participants were only students from Bingöl University limits the ability to generalize the results. Policymakers could implement social and problem-solving skills training to develop better academic programs and cognitive-behavioral therapy for students' academic success.

Similarities and differences in the psychological factors associated with generalised problematic internet use, problematic social media use, and problematic online gaming.

Problematic online behaviours are a concern among university students. Although previous research has identified that psychological distress, cognitive distortions, conscientiousness and neuroticism traits, motor impulsivity, and emotion regulation strategies have a significant direct effect on generalised problematic Internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), and problematic online gaming (POG), it is still necessary to determine the extent to which these psychological factors, taken together, are associated with each of the problematic online behaviours. In a sample of 690 Spanish university students, the present study examined the relationship of these psychological factors with GPIU, PSMU, and POG. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. Results reported that (1) high psychological distress, low conscientiousness trait and high motor impulsivity were common associated factors of GPIU and PSMU, but not of POG; (2) high levels of cognitive distortions and cognitive reappraisal were common associated factors of GPIU, PSMU and POG; and (3) expressive suppression and neuroticism trait had no effect on any of the three problematic online behaviours. The findings will help to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies for each problematic online behaviour in the university context.

A comprehensive measure assessing different types of problematic use of the internet among Chinese adolescents: The Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorders (ACSID-11).

BACKGROUND: Problematic use of the internet (PUI) is prevalent, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Given the limited measures to assess specific types of PUI, which encompasses a broad spectrum of activities such as online gaming, social media use, pornography use, shopping, gambling, and web-streaming, Muller et al. (2022) developed the Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorders (ACSID-11) to comprehensively assess different types of PUI (i.e., gaming, shopping, social media use, gambling, and pornography use). The present study aimed to validate the Chinese ACSID-11 among adolescents incorporating cross-cultural adaptations. METHODS: Using forward-backward translation method, a culturally adapted version of the ACSID-11 was prepared. Then, a cross-sectional online survey was administered between September 8 and September 26, 2023. Adolescents, using a convenience sample (N = 11,492; mean age = 16.42 years [SD ± 0.91]; 59.1% male), were recruited from six schools to complete the translated ACSID-11, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Smartphone Application Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) via an online platform. Pearson correlation coefficients assessed convergent/discriminant validity. Factor structure and measurement invariance were examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group CFA. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega tested internal consistency. RESULTS: Associations between the ACSID-11 components and other scales supported convergent validity (i.e., ACSID-11 gaming scale with IGDS9-SF [0.37 ≤ r ≤ 0.41]; social networks use scale with BSMAS [0.24 ≤ r ≤ 0.31]) and discriminant validity (i.e., online gambling scale with BSMAS [0.16 ≤ r ≤ 0.19] and with SABAS [0.11 ≤ r ≤ 0.13]). A four-factor solution indicated good fit with comparative fit index (CFI) ranging from 0.982 to 0.958. The ACSID-11 was measurement invariant across sexes (∆CFI = -0.001 to 0.000) and different levels of related addictive behaviors (∆CFI = -0.001 to 0.000). Both Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega (0.63 to 0.97) were acceptable for both frequency and intensity of responses. CONCLUSIONS: The ACSID-11 is an appropriate scale to assess different kinds of PUI among Chinese adolescents and students. Psychometric assessment of the measure in other cultures and among clinical samples is recommended.

The mediating effect of after-midnight use of digital media devices on the association of internet-related addictive behavior and insomnia in adolescents.

Background: There is evidence that overexposure to digital media devices (DMD) can not only lead to addictive patterns of internet use, but also cause insomnia symptoms. The aim of this cross-sectional study among adolescents is to provide an estimate of the prevalence of sleep impairments and to explore the mediating role of after-midnight use of DMD between internet-related addictive behavior (IRAB) and insomnia. Methods: 2,712 school students from Styrian schools participated in a population-representative online survey in a supervised school setting in spring 2022. School students were screened using established and validated scales. Data analysis was carried out using multiple imputation, linear multilevel regression and mediation analysis. Results: Prevalence estimation indicates high proportions of clinically relevant moderate [12.6% (11.3%; 14.1%)] and severe [3.6% (2.9%; 4.4%)] insomnia, with an additional 30.6% (29.0%; 32.2%) at subthreshold level. DMD are typically used after midnight an average of 1.66 (1.58; 1.75) evenings with subsequent school day per school week. Linear multilevel regression analysis shows significant associations for sleep disparities as outcome variable e.g., with generalized anxiety [b = 0.329 (0.287; 0.371)], after-midnight use of DMD [b = 0.470 (0.369; 0.572)] and IRAB [b = 0.131 (0.097; 0.165)]. Mediation analysis shows a mediated proportion of 18.2% (13.0%; 25.0%) of the association of IRAB and insomnia by after-midnight use of DMD [Indirect effect: b = 0.032 (0.023; 0.040), direct effect: b = 0.127 (0.083; 0.170)]. Conclusions: Although the cross-sectional nature of this study limits causal inference, the results indicate a need for policies, which are already in preparation in Styria as part of a respective action plan.

Influence of smartphone addiction on sleep quality of college students: The regulatory effect of physical exercise behavior.

Due to the high incidence of smartphone addiction and its harmful effects on health in recent years, it has received widespread attention from society. This study aims to examine the association between smartphone addiction and sleep quality among college students, and assess the correlation with physical exercise in a non-interventional, cross-sectional study design. The study utilized data from the 2022 Chinese College Health Tracking Survey. A total of 4670 students participated in and completed the questionnaire. The test tools comprised the smartphone addiction tendency scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the physical activity rating scale. The average score of the college students' smartphone addiction was 39.230±14.931, and the proportion of college students with average and or very poor sleep quality was 52.6%. Mobile phone addiction among college students is negatively correlated with physical exercise (r = -0.101, p<0.01), and positively correlated with sleep quality (r = 0.287, p<0.01. Physical exercise had a significant regulatory effect on the behavior relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality (ΔR2 = 0.194, p<0.001). Smartphone addiction has a significant impact on college students' sleep quality. The higher the tendency towards smartphone addiction, the poorer the sleep quality of college students. Physical exercise plays a regulatory role in the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep quality of college students.

Examining the interplay between physical activity, problematic internet use and the negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress: insights from a moderated mediation path model in university students.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), emotional states of stress, anxiety and depression, and the practice of physical activity among Tunisian students. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 976 university students aged 20.76 ± 1.63 years (46.8% female). They filled out an online survey comprised of a socio-demographic questionnaire, the depression, anxiety and stress scale- 21 items (DASS-21), the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the compulsive internet use scale (CIUS). Students were divided, based on their economic levels, into three groups: low (n = 256, 26.23%), medium (n = 523, 53.59%) and high (n = 197, 20.18%). RESULTS: Mediation analysis: Indirect effects of IPAQ and gender on DASS-21 were highlighted: ß= -0.18 (p < 0.01) and ß= -0.04, P < 0.01) respectively. In addition, a significant and negative effect of IPAQ on CIUS was demonstrated (ß = -0.45, P < 0.01). In addition, the effect of CIUS on DASS-21 was significant (ß = 0.39, P < 0.01). Also, the effect of gender on CIUS was significant (ß=-0.10, P < 0.01) However, its effect on DASS-21 was not significant (ß = 0.05, p = 0.078). The total effect of IPAQ on DASS21 was significant (ß= -0.52, p < 0.01) but the effect of Gender on DASS-21 was not significant (ß = 0.01, p = 0.817). Moderation analysis: the results showed a significant moderation effect of the interaction between IPAQ and Gender on CIUS (ß = 0.07, p < 0.01). However, it was not significant between Gender and CIUS on DASS-21 (ß = 0.09, p = 0.390) and between IPAQ and Gender on DASS21 (ß = 0.01, p = 0.736) Also, the interaction between IPAQ and CIUS did not have a significant moderation effect on DASS-21 (ß = 0.15, p = 0.115). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that relationships between PIU and negative emotional state of depression, anxiety and stress are mediated via physical exercise. These results underscore the importance of the physical activity factor in the studies analyzing longitudinal effects of PIU on mental health outcomes.

Outcome assessment of different reward stimuli in Internet gaming disorder by event-related potentials.

An imbalance in sensitivity to different types of reward stimuli may be an important cause of addiction that is mainly manifested in high sensitivity to addictive substance rewards and blunting of natural rewards. However, contradictions remain in the research results on the sensitivity of individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) to different reward stimuli. Based on participants' neural responses to win and loss feedback (in door task), the event-related potential (ERP) technique was used to investigate the effects of different types of reward stimuli on the assessment of reward-processing outcomes in individuals with IGD. The results showed that in the gain condition, the FB-P3 amplitude induced by game stimuli in the IGD group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the FN amplitude induced by money stimuli was significantly lower than that in the control group. However, the FB-P3 and FN amplitudes induced by food were not significantly different from those in the control group. In the loss condition, there were no between-group differences in the FB-P3 and FN amplitudes evoked by the three reward stimuli. This indicates that the IGD group showed increased hedonic responses to game stimuli and decreased hedonic responses to money but no differences in hedonic responses to food during the reward assessment phase. Therefore, heightened sensitivity to game rewards and diminished sensitivity to monetary rewards during outcome assessment may play a crucial role in the development of IGD.

Internet addiction and depression: a study among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study is to determine the level of Internet addiction (IA) in adolescents by utilizing the IA scale. METHODS: We employed two tools: the IA test (IAT) and the beck depression inventory (BDI), complemented by a sociodemographic information form, to assess IA and depression levels. RESULTS: A total of 201 participants were included. A positive correlation was found between daily Internet usage time and IAT scores (r = 0.388, p < 0.001) and between BDI scores and IAT scores (r = 0.161, p = 0.013). Females had a lower mean IAT score (63.56 ± 28.08) (p < 0.001). The BDI scores varied significantly across the groups (p = 0.004). The mean BDI scores were higher in the severe addiction group (13.53 ± 7.15) compared to the moderate (11.04 ± 6.62), mild (10.11 ± 5.38), and normal usage groups (9.28 ± 5.54). A significant difference was found in gender distribution across the groups (p = 0.001). The presence of suicidal ideation differed significantly across the groups (p = 0.002). The presence of depression showed a significant difference (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals a significant correlation between increased Internet usage and heightened levels of IA and depression among adolescents, with notable gender differences in IA severity.

OBJETIVO: Determinar el nivel de adicción a internet en adolescentes utilizando una escala de adicción a internet. MÉTODO: Nuestro estudio involucró a 201 estudiantes con adicción a internet. Empleamos dos herramientas, la IAT (internet addiction test) y el BDI (beck depression inventory), que se complementaron con un formulario de información sociodemográfica, para evaluar los niveles de adicción a internet y de depresión. RESULTADOS: Se encontró una correlación positiva entre el tiempo diario de uso de internet y las puntuaciones del IAT (r = 0.388; p < 0.001), así como entre las puntuaciones del BDI y del IAT (r = 0.161; p = 0.013). Las mujeres tuvieron una puntuación media más baja en el IAT (p < 0.001). Las puntuaciones del BDI variaron significativamente entre los grupos (p = 0.004). Las puntuaciones medias del BDI fueron más altas en el grupo de adicción grave en comparación con los grupos de adicción moderada y de uso normal. Se encontró una diferencia significativa en la distribución por sexo entre los grupos (p = 0.001). La presencia de ideación suicida difirió significativamente entre los grupos (p = 0.002). La presencia de depresión mostró una diferencia significativa (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestro estudio revela una correlación significativa entre mayor uso de internet y niveles elevados de adicción y depresión en adolescentes, con diferencias de sexo notables en la gravedad de la adicción.

'There's more to life than staring at a small screen': a mixed methods cohort study of problematic smartphone use and the relationship to anxiety, depression and sleep in students aged 13-16 years old in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are common in adolescents and have increased over the last decade. During that period, smartphone usage has become ubiquitous. OBJECTIVES: The study aim was to assess the association between problematic smartphone usage (PSU) and anxiety. METHODS: Using a prospective mixed methods cohort study design, students aged 13-16 year old from two schools were enrolled regarding their smartphone use, mood and sleep via a semistructured questionnaire at baseline and week 4. The primary outcome was symptoms of anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, GAD-7) and exposure was PSU (Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version). A linear regression was fitted to assess the change in anxiety. Thematic analysis of free-text responses was conducted. FINDINGS: The sample included 69 participants that were enrolled and followed up between 28 March and 3 June 2022. Of those with PSU, 44.4% exhibited symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety compared with 26.4% of those without PSU. There was a linear association between change in symptoms of anxiety and PSU ß=0.18 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.32, p=0.013). Several themes were found: both positive and negative effects of smartphones on relationships; negative effects on school performance and productivity; mixed effects on mood; a desire to reduce the amount of time spent on smartphones. CONCLUSIONS: Increased anxiety, depression and inability to sleep were seen in participants as their PSU score increased over time. Participants reported both positive and negative effects of smartphones and almost all used strategies to reduce use. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Interventions need to be developed and evaluated for those seeking support.

Concurrent behavioral modeling and multimodal neuroimaging reveals how feedback affects the performance of decision making in internet gaming disorder.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) prompts inquiry into how feedback from prior gaming rounds influences subsequent risk-taking behavior and potential neural mechanisms. Forty-two participants, including 15 with IGD and 27 health controls (HCs), underwent a sequential risk-taking task. Hierarchy Bayesian modeling was adopted to measure risky propensity, behavioral consistence, and affection by emotion ratings from last trial. Concurrent electroencephalogram and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (EEG-fNIRS) recordings were performed to demonstrate when, where and how the previous-round feedback affects the decision making to the next round. We discovered that the IGD illustrated heightened risk-taking propensity as compared to the HCs, indicating by the computational modeling (p = 0.028). EEG results also showed significant time window differences in univariate and multivariate pattern analysis between the IGD and HCs after the loss of the game. Further, reduced brain activation in the prefrontal cortex during the task was detected in IGD as compared to that of the control group. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the aberrant decision-making processes in IGD and suggest potential implications for future interventions and treatments aimed at addressing this behavioral addiction.