Models of Attachment On the Web

Abstract

Background Adolescents with a problematic use of the Web reported less satisfaction also in interpersonal relationships and poorer onces with their parents (Liu & Kou, 2007). Other studies have shown that attachment plays a role in the way in which the person interacts with others in the network (Buote et.al. 2009). Aim of the Study This study was focused on the psychological profile of a sample of young Facebook users and on the relationships between the time spent on the Web, symptoms detected by the SLC-90, the state of attachment (Ca-Mir), and the self perception of attachment to parents and friends. Methods 500 adolescents (F = 221, M = 214), aged between 13 and 18 years, were assessed by means of self rating questionnaires (BFAS Over-Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, SPQ – Shorter Promis Questionnaire, MPIQ – Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire, UCLA – Loniless Scale, Self-Disclosure Online, IPPA – Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, SCL-90 – Syntom Check List, Ca-mir). On two subjects was performed EEG recording, during exposure to stimuli related to Facebook and to the Web. Results A subgroup of young people were spending more time on the Web and were also reporting situations of mental and emotional vulnerability asociated with dysfunction in family relationships. Conclusions These results emerge from profiles of normality and risk, even multiples, which relate the quality of parent-child attachment relationship and the proper use of social networks and the Internet in general. Further investigations are needed to fully understand the brain dynamics behind these profiles.