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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 14678

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sophia Achab

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Guest Editor

1. Clinical and Sociological Research Unit SWI-54, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
2. ReConnecte Treatment Centre for addictive behaviors, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue du Grand-Pré 70C, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Interests: digital well-being; health management; addictive behaviors; gaming; gambling; media use; global public health; innovation; training; gender in science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Media use is a major source of information, relatedness and entertainment. However, for some users it can lead to loss of control, distress and functional impairment. The magnitude of maladaptive use of Internet and related social, psychological and physical health issues has reached the magnitude of a public health issue worldwide.

Public health response and jurisdictions’ preparedness towards managing and monitoring this disorder is essential, to the point that World Health Organization engaged in this response in 2014.

Compiling public health and research data on advances worldwide in tackling Internet-related disorders can serve as benchmarking for jurisdictions where response is still lacking or where it is in its early stages. These compiled datasets can help said jurisdictions in designing adapted and evidence-based national responses, inspired by existing models and examples and benefiting from data compiled from effective approaches.

Papers on national case studies, meta-analyses, treatment responses, new technologies, innovative interventions, quality approaches, efficacy assessment, health system preparedness or prevention strategies against Internet-related disorders are welcomed in the current Special Issue. Contributions can include clinical populations, gender-related issues, and all age groups, including youth and seniors.

Dr. Sophia Achab
Guest Editor

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Keywords

internet-related disorders
effective interventions
health systems
public health approaches
new technologies
quality standards
youth, older people
gender issues

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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15 pages, 1417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mediatory Role of the Boredom and Loneliness Dimensions in the Development of Problematic Internet Use

by Laura Orsolini, Giulio Longo and Umberto Volpe

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054446 - 2 Mar 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3601

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a gradual digitalization of our society, resulting in intensified technology use for daily life activities, including the emergence of problematic Internet use (PIU). Few studies specifically addressed the boredom and loneliness dimensions in mediating the association between depression, anxiety, and stress levels and the onset of PIU. A nationwide population-based cross-sectional case-control study was carried out by recruiting a sample of Italian young people (aged 18–35). Only 1643 participants were selected for the analyses based on the age and the presence versus absence of PIU. Participants were mainly females (68.7%), with a mean age of 21.8 (SD = 1.7). Non-PIU individuals had significantly stable relationships (p = 0.012), siblings (p = 0.044) and lived with their family (p = 0.010), compared to PIU. PIU individuals displayed significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as higher loneliness and boredom levels (all p < 0.001), compared to non-PIU. Depressive symptomatology predicted PIU and that their interaction is positively double mediated by boredom and loneliness (ß = 0.3829 (0.0245), 95%CI = 0.3349–0.4309). Our findings suggested that boredom and loneliness dimensions could act as mediators in the association between depressive symptomatology and the likelihood of PIU onset and maintenance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Health and Research Advances in Internet Addiction Disorders)

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13 pages, 1017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Childhood Trauma and Family Functioning on Internet Addiction in Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Model Analysis

by Manji Hu, Lin Xu, Wei Zhu, Tingting Zhang, Qiang Wang, Zisheng Ai and Xudong Zhao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013639 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5203

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Internet addiction in adolescents, analyze the associations of childhood trauma, systematic family dynamics, and family functioning with Internet addiction, and investigate the mediating chain role of anxiety and depression in the relationship of childhood trauma and family functioning with adolescent Internet addiction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which general sociodemographic data were obtained from 3357 adolescents in grades 6–12 who were assessed using psychometric instruments such as the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Young Internet Addiction Test, Systematic Family Dynamics Self-Rating Scale (SSFD), Family Functioning Assessment (FAD), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Results: (1) The prevalence of Internet addiction among adolescents was 26.09% (876/3357). The prevalence of childhood trauma was 54.96% (1845/3357), and the prevalence of Internet addiction was significantly different between adolescents who suffered childhood trauma and those who did not (χ² = 96.801, ν = 1, p = 0.000). (2) Childhood trauma and various dimensions of systematic family dynamics had a significant negative and positive relationship with poor family functioning and anxiety or depression, respectively. (3) Childhood trauma was a positive predictor of Internet addiction through the chain-mediated effect of anxiety and depression, but there were no direct effects. Poor family functioning was a positive predictor of adolescent Internet addiction, and this positive prediction was augmented by the chain-mediated effect of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Childhood trauma and poor family functioning or support predicted Internet addiction in adolescents, with anxiety and depression as mediators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Health and Research Advances in Internet Addiction Disorders)

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14 pages, 553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Psychometric Properties of a New Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument of Health-Related Quality of Life Specific to Patients with Gambling Disorder: The Gambling Quality of Life Scale (GQoLS)

by Nicolas A. Bonfils, Henri-Jean Aubin, Marie Grall-Bronnec, Julie Caillon, Pascal Perney, Frédéric Limosin and Amandine Luquiens

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710806 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2159

Abstract

Background. Impairment or distress caused by gambling disorder can be subjectively assessed via quality of life. The aim of this study was to develop a new patient-reported outcome instrument to explore the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in gambling disorders, the Gambling quality-of-life scale (GQoLS), and to document its psychometric properties. Methods. A previous qualitative study had been conducted using focus groups of problem gamblers to identify areas of HRQoL impacted by gambling. The seven domains identified served as the basis for the hypothetical structure of GQoLS. Draft items were generated from the patient’s speeches to illustrate each of these domains. Cognitive debriefing interviews were realized to obtain a final hypothetical GQoLS. A validation study was then carried out to determine the final version of GQoLS and its psychometric properties (structural validity, construct validity, internal consistency). Results. The final GQoLS was composed of 21 items, with a total mean score of 38.3 (±13.6). Structural validity found a major dimension and four other minor dimensions. The five dimensions were: “emotion”, “lifestyle”, “loneliness”, “taboo” and “preoccupation”. GQoLS was moderately to strongly correlated with PGSI and EQ-5D visual analogic scale. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.92. Conclusion. GQoLS is the first HRQoL instrument specific to patients with a gambling disorder and developed from the patient’s perspective. GQoLS presents good psychometric properties. GQoLS can be used in clinical research to demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention on outcomes that are relevant from the patient’s perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Health and Research Advances in Internet Addiction Disorders)

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19 pages, 439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictors of Gaming Disorder or Protective from It, in a French Sample: A Symptomatic Approach to Self-Regulation and Pursued Rewards, Providing Insights for Clinical Practice

by Sophia Achab, Stephane Rothen, Julie Giustiniani, Magali Nicolier, Elizabeth Franc, Daniele Zullino, Frederic Mauny and Emmanuel Haffen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9476; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159476 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2889

Abstract

Gaming disorder (GD) is a new health condition still requiring a lot of evidence established around its underlying and related psychological mechanisms. In our study we focused on Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), a specific very popular and engaging game genre, to determine that benefit, motivation and control aspects could be predictive of a dysfunctional engagement in gaming. In total, 313 participants were recruited from private forums of gamers between May 2009 and March 2010. They filled out a questionnaire on their socio-demographic data and their weekly gaming time. They also completed different psychometric assessments such as the DSM IV-TR criteria for substance dependence adapted to gaming such as the Dependence Adapted Scale (DAS), the external rewards they expected from gaming (External Motives), the expected internal reward they expected from gaming (Internal Motives), the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (ZSSS), and the Barratt impulsiveness Scale (BIS-10). Results showed that some psychological factors related to online gaming represented risk factors for GD in participants (i.e., competition and advancement motives, reduced anxiety, solace, greater personal satisfaction, and sense of power), whereas some others were found to be protective factors from GD (i.e., recreation, enjoyment and experience seeking) in participants. Additionally, the study found that disinhibition, boredom susceptibility, thrill and adventure seeking, and high impulsivity were correlated to GD in participants. In conclusion, not only motives for gaming and impulsivity could be predictors for GD, but maladaptive coping strategies based on experienced relief in-game from negative feelings (anxiety and boredom) or experienced improvement in-game of self-perception (personal satisfaction, sense of power) could play as well a role of negative reinforcers for GD. Some benefits from gaming, typically entertainment and enjoyment, are shown to be protective factors from GD, playing the role of positive reinforcing factors. They are worthy of being identified and promoted as functional gaming habits. These findings can feed the clinical and health promotion fields, with a more in-depth understanding of diverse psychological factors in gamers, identifying those at risk for GD and those protective from it. The current work can foster a more balanced approach towards gaming activities, taking their opportunities for mankind and controlling for their adverse effects in some individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Health and Research Advances in Internet Addiction Disorders)

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