Perceptions Underlying Addictive Technology Use Patterns: Insights for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.

Olatz Lopez-Fernandez,Sophia Achab,Lucia Romo,Mariano Chóliz,Amélie Rousseau,Laurence Kern,Daniele Zullino,Nils Inge Landrø,Emilia Serra,Mark D Griffiths,Juan José Zacarés,Daria J Kuss,Halley M Pontes,Lucien Rochat,Pierluigi Graziani

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010544

Abstract

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the treatment of addictive disorders related to excessive technology use. However, the cognitive components of problematic internet use are not yet well-known. The aim of the present study was to explore the cognitive components, that according to problematic users, can lead to potential internet addiction. A total of 854 European adults completed an online survey using a mixed-methods design. Internet problems and attachment styles were assessed, prevalence rates estimated, correlations, chi-squared automatic interaction detection, and content analysis were performed. Self-reported addictions to social networking, internet, and gaming had a prevalence between 1.2% (gaming) to 2.7% (social networking). Self-perception of the addiction problem and preoccupied attachment style were discriminative factors for internet addiction. In an analysis of qualitative responses from self-identified compulsive internet users, a sense of not belonging and feeling of disconnection during life events were perceived as causes for internet addiction. The development depended on a cycle of mixed feelings associated with negative thoughts, compensated by a positive online identity. The severity of this behaviour pattern produced significant impairment in various areas of the participants’ functioning, suggesting a possible addiction problem. It is suggested that health professionals administering CBT should target unhealthy preoccupations and monitor mixed feelings and thoughts related to internet use to support coping with cognitive distortions.

Highlights

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been widely adopted as a type of psychological treatment to various mental health disorders, including addiction problems, by focusing on users’ cognitions as the main driver of effective emotional and behavioural regulation using different strategies [1].These interventions emerged during the second half of the 20th century and evolved in the1990s alongside Mindfulness-Based Therapies (i.e., Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention [MBRP], Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT], Dialectical Behavioural Therapy [DBT])
This decision tree explored data creating profiles through automatic detection of actions between the relevant variables using chi-square. This techinteractions between the relevant variables using chi-square. This nique showed that high preoccupation style was the first and most significant predictor technique showed that high preoccupation style was the first and mostuse significant predicdistinguishing between adults with and without compulsive internet
The present study explored the cognitive components that can lead to internet use-related addiction problems through potential dependent participants

Summary

Introduction

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been widely adopted as a type of psychological treatment to various mental health disorders, including addiction problems, by focusing on users’ cognitions (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, mental schemas, and metacognitions) as the main driver of effective emotional and behavioural regulation using different strategies [1].These interventions emerged during the second half of the 20th century and evolved in the1990s alongside Mindfulness-Based Therapies (i.e., Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention [MBRP], Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT], Dialectical Behavioural Therapy [DBT]). Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been widely adopted as a type of psychological treatment to various mental health disorders, including addiction problems, by focusing on users’ cognitions (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, mental schemas, and metacognitions) as the main driver of effective emotional and behavioural regulation using different strategies [1]. These interventions emerged during the second half of the 20th century and evolved in the. One of the most relevant aspects to increase understanding is to discern the aetiology of the addiction problem [2,3]

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