The links between healthy, problematic, and addicted Internet use regarding comorbidities and self-concept-related characteristics

Abstract

BackgroundAddicted Internet users present with higher rates of comorbidities, e.g., attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depressive, and anxiety disorders. In addition, deficits in self-concept-related characteristics were found in addicted Internet gamers and social network users. The aim of this study was to examine the links between healthy, problematic, and addicted Internet use regarding comorbidities and self-concept-related characteristics. The association between recently developed ADHD-like symptoms without an underlying diagnosis and addictive Internet use was also examined.Methodsn = 79 healthy controls, n = 35 problematic, and n = 93 addicted Internet users were assessed for comorbidities, social and emotional competencies, body image, self-esteem, and perceived stress. Apart from an ADHD-diagnosis, recently developed ADHD-like symptoms were also assessed.ResultsAddicted users showed more self-concept-related deficits and higher rates of comorbidities with ADHD, depressive, and anxiety disorders. Addicted and problematic users showed similarities in the prevalence of cluster B personality disorders and decreased levels of characteristics related to emotional intelligence. Participants with recently developed ADHD-like symptoms scored higher in lifetime and current severity of Internet use compared with those without ADHD symptoms. Addicted participants with recently developed ADHD symptoms showed higher lifetime Internet use severity compared with those without any symptoms.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that cluster B personality disorders and premorbid problems in emotional intelligence might present a link between problematic and addictive Internet use. Furthermore, the findings provide a first indication that addictive Internet use is related to ADHD-like symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD should therefore be assessed against the background of possible addicted Internet use.

Pathological Traits Associated to Facebook and Twitter among French Users

“…Previous works highlighted the relationship between PFU and Cluster B symptomatology such as borderline [35,40] and narcissism traits [41][42][43]. This is similar with results found with PIU for Cluster B [21,23,25,28] and Cluster C [21,25]. Borderline and antisocial traits have been frequently associated to addictive disorders, with impulsivity in common, which could be a supplementary evidence of the high similarity between PFU and other addictive disorders [44].…”

“…As for anxiety, mood disorders would have a causal relationship with PIU, as risk factors and consequences [20]. Besides, some studies highlighted the significant relationships between several pathological personality traits and PIU [21][22][23][24][25], yet no study focused on their relationships with SNS addictions, except for particular pathological traits. For example, borderline personality traits have been shown to be a risk factor for PFU [17], such as narcissistic personality traits, which also appeared to be related to Facebook and Twitter use [26,27].…”

Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Problematic Social Media Use Among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Body Image Dissatisfaction

“…Despite previous empirical evidence associating dysfunctional attachment and/or childhood trauma with problematic internet use and PSMU (Koronczai et al 2013;Lemenager et al 2018;Worsley et al 2018), the direct and indirect relationship of CEM and BID with PSMU and remains unexplored. Based on the aforementioned rationale, the present study examined the direct and indirect association of CEM with PSMU via BID using a sample of adolescents (see Fig.…”

“…Individuals tend to cope with negative affect related to BID by using different maladaptive strategies (e.g., excessive eating, substance abuse) (Mitchison et al 2017;Nieri et al 2005). Past research has identified that some individuals engage in problematic internet use to avoid or relieve psychopathological symptoms (Lemenager et al 2018;Wegmann et al 2018), and/or to cope with low self-esteem associated with BID symptoms (Koronczai et al 2013). This is in line with the proposition that emotional problems (e.g., depression or anxiety symptoms) play a pivotal role in the emergence of problematic online behaviors (Kardefelt-Winther 2014; Wegmann and Brand 2016).…”

The Relationship Between Personality Traits, Psychopathological Symptoms, and Problematic Internet Use: A Complex Mediation Model (Preprint)

“…Low conscientiousness is regarded as being disorganized, inefficient, careless and sloppy because these characteristics equate to a deficit in the executive functions. This could provide also provide an explanation for the comorbidity with ADHD (e.g., [70][71][72]). This theory is reinforced by previously reported findings.…”