Cell-Phone Addiction: A Review De-Sola Gutiérrez, José; Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando; Rubio, Gabriel
Frontiers in psychiatry,
10/2016, Letnik:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We present a review of the studies that have been published about addiction to cell phones. We analyze the concept of cell-phone addiction as well as its prevalence, study methodologies, ...psychological features, and associated psychiatric comorbidities. Research in this field has generally evolved from a global view of the cell phone as a device to its analysis
applications and contents. The diversity of criteria and methodological approaches that have been used is notable, as is a certain lack of conceptual delimitation that has resulted in a broad spread of prevalent data. There is a consensus about the existence of cell-phone addiction, but the delimitation and criteria used by various researchers vary. Cell-phone addiction shows a distinct user profile that differentiates it from Internet addiction. Without evidence pointing to the influence of cultural level and socioeconomic status, the pattern of abuse is greatest among young people, primarily females. Intercultural and geographical differences have not been sufficiently studied. The problematic use of cell phones has been associated with personality variables, such as extraversion, neuroticism, self-esteem, impulsivity, self-identity, and self-image. Similarly, sleep disturbance, anxiety, stress, and, to a lesser extent, depression, which are also associated with Internet abuse, have been associated with problematic cell-phone use. In addition, the present review reveals the coexistence relationship between problematic cell-phone use and substance use such as tobacco and alcohol.
The Internet is now all-pervasive across much of the globe. While it has positive uses (e.g. prompt access to information, rapid news dissemination), many individuals develop Problematic Use of the ...Internet (PUI), an umbrella term incorporating a range of repetitive impairing behaviours. The Internet can act as a conduit for, and may contribute to, functionally impairing behaviours including excessive and compulsive video gaming, compulsive sexual behaviour, buying, gambling, streaming or social networks use. There is growing public and National health authority concern about the health and societal costs of PUI across the lifespan. Gaming Disorder is being considered for inclusion as a mental disorder in diagnostic classification systems, and was listed in the ICD-11 version released for consideration by Member States (http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/revision/timeline/en/). More research is needed into disorder definitions, validation of clinical tools, prevalence, clinical parameters, brain-based biology, socio-health-economic impact, and empirically validated intervention and policy approaches. Potential cultural differences in the magnitudes and natures of types and patterns of PUI need to be better understood, to inform optimal health policy and service development. To this end, the EU under Horizon 2020 has launched a new four-year European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action Programme (CA 16207), bringing together scientists and clinicians from across the fields of impulsive, compulsive, and addictive disorders, to advance networked interdisciplinary research into PUI across Europe and beyond, ultimately seeking to inform regulatory policies and clinical practice. This paper describes nine critical and achievable research priorities identified by the Network, needed in order to advance understanding of PUI, with a view towards identifying vulnerable individuals for early intervention. The network shall enable collaborative research networks, shared multinational databases, multicentre studies and joint publications.
•Depression is notably higher in IGD individuals compared to the general population.•Depressive symptoms are common in IGD individuals without a diagnosis of Depression.•Overlap between IGD and ...Depression can lead to diagnostic uncertainty.•The interplay between mood disturbances and IGD requires further longitudinal study.
Although depression has frequently been associated with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), its epidemiological impact on this emerging condition has not been systematically assessed. In this study, we aimed to synthesize the available evidence focusing on depression and depressive symptoms in individuals with IGD.
We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, GreyLit, OpenGrey, and ProQuest up to March 2020 for observational studies focusing on depression-related outcomes in IGD. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses on 1) rate of comorbid depression in IGD; 2) severity of depressive symptoms in IGD participants without depression.
We identified 92 studies from 25 different countries including 15,148 participants. 21 studies (n = 5025 participants) provided data for the first analysis, resulting in a pooled event rate of depression of 0.32 (95% Confidence Interval 0.21–0.43). The pooled Beck Depression Inventory scores in individuals without depression were suggestive of mild severity (13 studies, n = 508; 10.3, 95% Confidence Interval 8.3–12.4).
The considerable inconsistency of methods employed across studies limits the transferability of these findings to clinical practice.
The prevalence of depression in individuals with IGD varied considerably across studies, affecting approximately one out of three participants overall. Furthermore, a globally major severity of depressive symptoms was found in those without a clinical diagnosis of depression, compared to the general population. These findings confirm a relevant impact of mood disturbances in IGD.
PROSPERO (CRD42018100823).
Cross-sectional studies have established a robust correlational link between loot box engagement and problem gambling, but the causal connections are unknown. This longitudinal study tested for ...‘migration’ from loot box use to gambling initiation 6-months later. A sample of gamers (aged 18–26) was stratified into two subgroups at baseline: 415 non-gamblers and 221 gamblers. Self-reported engagement with video game microtransactions distinguished loot boxes and ‘direct purchase’ microtransactions (DPMs). Loot box expenditure and the Risky Loot Box Index (RLI) were tested as predictors of self-identified gambling initiation and spend at follow-up. At baseline, gamblers spent significantly more than non-gamblers on microtransactions. Among baseline non-gamblers, loot box expenditure and RLI predicted gambling initiation (logistic regressions) and later gambling spending (linear regressions). DPM expenditure did not predict gambling initiation or spend after correcting for multiple comparisons, underscoring the key role of randomized rewards. Exploratory analyses tested whether baseline gambling predicted loot box consumption (the ‘reverse pathway’): among loot box non-users, gambling-related cognitive distortions predicted subsequent loot box expenditure. These data provide empirical evidence for a migration from loot boxes to gambling. Preliminary evidence is also provided for a reverse pathway, of loot box initiation by gamblers. These findings support regulatory steps directed toward young gamers and those who gamble.
•Loot box use predicted gambling initiation six-months later.•Loot boxes were a stronger predictor of gambling than non-randomized microtransactions.•Erroneous gambling beliefs predicted initiation of loot box use six-months later.•Gamblers spent more on loot boxes and other microtransactions than non-gamblers.
The extant literature has suggested relationships between an individual's chronotype (in relation to morningness/eveningness) and several outcomes, including addictive disorders, psychological ...distress and daytime sleepiness. Moreover, sleep quality has been proposed to be a mediator in the aforementioned relationships. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to investigate the complex relationship between morningness/eveningness, problematic social media use, psychological distress and daytime sleepiness, with the potential mediators of sleep quality and insomnia. All participants (N = 1,791 30.1% males; mean age = 27.2 years, SD = 10.1) completed a battery of psychometric scales, including a reduced version of the Morningness‐Eveningness Questionnaire (at baseline), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index (1 month after baseline assessment), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (2 months after baseline assessment). The impacts of morningness‐eveningness on problematic social media use, anxiety, depression and daytime sleepiness were found in the mediation models. Furthermore, the mediated effects of insomnia and sleep quality were observed. The present study's results emphasize the importance of promoting healthy sleep habits and sleep hygiene behaviours, and that of early detection of sleep problems among individuals who have the eveningness chronotype, because this would significantly improve their health outcomes.
Given the prominent role that smartphones have in everyday life, research in the field has proliferated. From a theoretical perspective, problematic smartphone use (PSPU) is described as a ...multi-faceted phenomenon entailing a variety of dysfunctional manifestations (e.g., addictive, antisocial and dangerous use). To date, however, there is still a lack of empirical evidence supporting the identification of PSPU as a potential behavioural addiction. Driven by theory, the aim of the present study was to provide an empirically validated model by testing the contribution of specific factors leading to PSPU. Relationships among individual characteristics (internalised psychopathology, impulsivity and personality traits) and PSPU uses (addictive, antisocial and dangerous) were investigated according to the updated version of the theoretical framework provided by the Pathway Model of problematic smartphone use (Billieux et al., 2015). An online survey was administered to a convenience sample (N = 511) of smartphone users in order to examine their daily engagement, problematic usage patterns and related psychological correlates. Path analysis revealed important information about different PSPU components and results are discussed in light of the available literature. Recommendations for future research are proposed to further investigate the problematic behaviour, including the study of additional variables, such as the fear of missing out (FoMO), nomophobia and excessive social media use.
•Problematic smartphone use (PSPU) entails addictive use, prohibited use, and risky behaviors.•The tested PSPU pathway model showed an overall reasonable model fit.•Addictive use is linked to excessive reassurance sought via smartphone use.•Internalised psychopathology did not predict smartphone addiction.•Attention impulsivity predicted addictive and antisocial use.
Background and aims
There is currently no well‐validated measure that assesses a broad spectrum of substance‐related and behavioural addictions in general populations. This study aimed to develop a ...brief self‐attribution Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions (SSBA) to screen for four substances and six behaviours, and to compare its performance with established individual‐behaviour screening instruments.
Design
A small, psychometrically optimal set of items to assess self‐attributed indicators of addiction across alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, gambling, shopping, videogaming, overeating, sexual activity and overworking were identified from a broader pool that was developed using a lay epidemiology qualitative approach. The suitability of the four‐item single‐factor solution was tested for each behaviour and scores were compared with those obtained from the sample using individual‐behaviour screening instruments.
Setting and Participants
Participants (n = 6000), broadly representative of the Canadian English‐speaking adult population, were recruited through the Ipsos Reid Canadian Online Panel.
Measurements
Participants completed an item pool of 15 indicators of addiction for each target behaviour and a validation instrument for one randomly assigned behaviour.
Findings
A set of four items identified using principal component and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated good fit and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.87–0.95) across behaviours, and good convergent validity (rs = 0.44–0.8) with extant instruments measuring similar constructs, with only one exception (r = 0.26).
Conclusions
The proposed Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addiction is a reliable and valid measure assessing the lay public's self‐attributed indicators of addiction across 10 substances and behaviours.
Resumen: Objetivo: Describir el perfil sociodemográfico de las personas atendidas por adicción a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) en las unidades de conductas adictivas (UCA) ...de la Comunitat Valenciana, en 2018-2020. Método: Análisis anual y para el total del periodo según la información recogida en los registros de las UCA. Resultados: Se registraron 219 casos, mayoritariamente varones (87%), menores de 30 años (53%), con estudios primarios o inferiores (51%), y convivientes con padres (57%). En el periodo analizado se observaron cambios significativos en la edad (aumento) y la situación laboral (más trabajadores activos). El año de la pandemia de COVID-19 (2020) acentuó o mantuvo las tendencias previas. Conclusiones: El perfil de las personas atendidas por adicción a las TIC en la Comunitat Valenciana es mayoritariamente el de un varón, menor de 30 años y con estudios primarios o inferiores; se observa una tendencia a un aumento en la edad y en la proporción de personas trabajadoras activas. La prevención debería centrarse en estos colectivos con mayor riesgo. Abstract: Objective: To describe the sociodemographic profile of the people treated for addiction to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the addictive behavior units (ABU) of Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, in 2018-2020. Method: Annual analysis and for the global period according to information collected in the ABU records. Results: 219 registered cases, mostly men (87%), under 30 years of age (53%), with primary education or less (51%), and living with parents (57%). In the study period significant changes were observed in age (increase) and employment situation (more active workers). The COVID-19 pandemic's year (2020) accentuated or maintained previous trends. Conclusions: The person treated for addiction to ICTs in Comunitat Valenciana is mostly male, under 30 years of age and with a primary education level or less, with a trend to increase in age and in proportion of active workers. Prevention should focus on these groups at higher risk.
Excessive smartphone use has been associated with a number of negative consequences for the individual and the environment. Some similarities can be observed between excessive smartphone usage and ...several behavioural addictions, and continual usage constitutes one of several characteristics included in addiction. In the extreme high end of the distribution of smartphone usage, smartphone restriction might be expected to elicit negative effects for individuals. These negative effects may be regarded as withdrawal symptoms traditionally associated with substance-related addictions. To address this timely issue, the present study examined scores on the Smartphone Withdrawal Scale (SWS), the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) during 72 h of smartphone restriction. A sample of 127 participants (72.4% women), aged 18-48 years (
= 25.0,
= 4.5), were randomly assigned into one of two conditions: a restricted condition (experimental group,
= 67) or a control condition (control group,
= 60). During the restriction period participants completed the aforementioned scales three times a day. The results revealed significantly higher scores on the SWS and FoMOS for participants allocated to the restricted condition than those assigned to the control condition. Overall the results suggest that smartphone restriction could cause withdrawal symptoms.
•Symptoms of sexual addiction and gambling disorder were compared via network analysis.•Gambling disorder and sexual addiction appear as separate addictive constructs.•Symptomatic networks appear to ...be more complex amongst men.•Gender-based differences were observed, particularly relating to withdrawal and conflict.•Gambling tolerance more closely related to mood modification than chasing losses.
Contemporary literature and recent classification systems have expanded the field of addictions to include problematic behaviours such as gambling and sexual addiction. However, conceptualisation of behavioural addictions is poorly understood and gender-based differences have emerged in relation to how these behaviours are expressed. The current research conducted partial-correlation and Bayesian network analyses to assess the symptomatic structure of gambling disorder and sexual addiction. Convenience community sampling recruited 937 adults aged 18 to 64 years (315 females, Mage = 30.02; 622 males, Mage = 29.46). Symptoms of problematic behaviours were measured using the Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGDQ) and the Bergen Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS). Results indicate distinct gender-based differences in the symptom networks of sexual addiction and gambling disorder, with a more complex network observed amongst men for both conditions. Addiction salience, withdrawal and dishonesty/deception were important components of the addictive network. Interpersonal conflict was more central for women while intrapsychic conflict a more prominent issue for men. Differences in the two symptom networks indicate separate disorders as opposed to a single underlying construct. Treating practitioners and community initiatives aimed at addressing sexual addiction and disordered gambling should consider gender, when designing educational or therapeutic interventions.
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