Conceptualising social media addiction: a longitudinal network analysis of social media addiction symptoms and their relationships with psychological distress in a community sample of adults
- Authors: Tullett-Prado, Deon , Doley, Jo , Zarate, Daniel , Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
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- Description: Background: Problematic social media use has been identified as negatively impacting psychological and everyday functioning and has been identified as a possible behavioural addiction (social media addiction; SMA). Whether SMA can be classified as a distinct behavioural addiction has been debated within the literature, with some regarding SMA as a premature pathologisation of ordinary social media use behaviour and suggesting there is little evidence for its use as a category of clinical concern. This study aimed to understand the relationship between proposed symptoms of SMA and psychological distress and examine these over time in a longitudinal network analysis, in order better understand whether SMA warrants classification as a unique pathology unique from general distress. Method: N = 462 adults (M age = 30.8, SD age = 9.23, 69.3% males, 29% females, 1.9% other sex or gender) completed measures of social media addiction (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale), and psychological distress (DASS-21) at two time points, twelve months apart. Data were analysed using network analysis (NA) to explore SMA symptoms and psychological distress. Specifically, NA allows to assess the ‘influence’ and pathways of influence of each symptom in the network both cross-sectionally at each time point, as well as over time. Results: SMA symptoms were found to be stable cross-sectionally over time, and were associated with, yet distinct, from, depression, anxiety and stress. The most central symptoms within the network were tolerance and mood-modification in terms of expected influence and closeness respectively. Depression symptoms appeared to have less of a formative effect on SMA symptoms than anxiety and stress. Conclusions: Our findings support the conceptualisation of SMA as a distinct construct occurring based on an underpinning network cluster of behaviours and a distinct association between SMA symptoms and distress. Further replications of these findings, however, are needed to strengthen the evidence for SMA as a unique behavioural addiction. © 2023, The Author(s).
Differences between DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 revisions of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder : a commentary on implications and opportunities
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Chen, Wai , Houghton, Stephen
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: World J Psychiatry Vol. 13, no. 5 (2023), p. 138-143
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- Description: Current ICD-11 descriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were recently published online, in the same year as the DSM-5-TR (text revised edition) was released. In this commentary, we compare and contrast the DSM-5/DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria, summarize important differences, and underscore their clinical and research implications. Overall, three major differences emerge: (1) The number of diagnostic criteria for inattention (IA), hyperactivity (HY) and impulsivity (IM) symptoms ( , DSM-5-TR has nine IA and nine HY/IM symptoms, whereas ICD-11 has 11 IA and 11 HY/IM sym-ptoms) (2) the clarity and standardization of diagnostic thresholds ( , the diagnostic thresholds for symptom count in IA and HY/IM domains are explicitly specified in DSM-5-TR, whereas in ICD-11 they are not) and (3) the partitioning of HY and IM symptoms into sub-dimensions ( , difference in partitioning HY and IM symptom domains relates to the differences between the current and previous editions of DSM and ICD, and this has important research implications). Currently, no ICD-11 based ADHD rating scales exist and while this absence represents an obstacle for respective research and clinical practice, it also presents opportunities for research development. This article highlights these challenges, possible remedies and novel research opportunities.
Adolescent popularity : distinct profiles and associations with excessive internet usage and interpersonal sensitivity
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Barber, Emily , de Sena Collier, Gabriel , Snodgrass, Jeffrey , Gomez, Rapson
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Child Psychiatry and Human Development Vol. 53, no. 6 (2022), p. 1097-1109
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- Description: Peer popularity constitutes a pivotal developmental task to adolescents’ current and future adaptation. This study identified distinct adolescent popularity profiles and explored their links with excessive Internet usage and interpersonal sensitivity. The sample included 2090 students attending Greek high schools (Mage = 16.16, SD = 0.91). Their popularity was measured via self-report and peer sociometric means. They also responded to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Interpersonal Sensitivity subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). A sequence of latent profile analysis, ANOVAs and linear regression models were performed. Three distinct popularity profiles were revealed: the “Average Confident” (68.4%), the “Socially Vulnerable” (26.8%), and the “Insecure Bi-Strategic” (4.8%). These profiles did not significantly vary regarding their Internet usage and interpersonal sensitivity behaviours. Interestingly, lower self-perceived popularity predicted higher interpersonal sensitivity, whereas higher actual popularity predicted excessive Internet use. Findings have important implications for student-tailored mental health prevention and intervention practices. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Factor structure of ten psychoactive substance addictions and behavioural addictions : common psychoactive substance and behavioural addictions
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Brown, Taylor , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Psychiatry Research Vol. 313, no. (2022), p.
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- Description: Over the past two decades, many problematic/excessive behaviours have increasingly been conceptualized as addictions due to their similarity with more traditional psychoactive substance addictions. The primary aim of the present study was to simultaneously examine the factor structure of three psychoactive substance addictions (alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and substance use) and seven behavioural addictions (sex, social media use, shopping, exercise, online gambling, internet gaming, and internet use), using exploratory factor analysis (EFA; N = 481) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; N = 487). A total of 968 participants completed an online survey including ten psychometric scales assessing the ten different potentially addictive behaviours. EFA supported a two-factor solution, with different factors for the psychoactive substance and behavioural addictions (excluding exercise addiction). CFA supported the two-factor model in a separate sample. There was good support for the concurrent and discriminant validities of the CFA latent factors and the reliability of the behavioural latent factor in the two-factor CFA model. While there was support for the concurrent and discriminant validities of the psychoactive substance latent factor, there was insufficient support for its reliability. The taxonomic, theoretical, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2022
Network analyses of internet gaming disorder symptoms and their links with different types of motivation
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Tullett-Prado, Deon , Schivinski, Bruno , Chen, Wai
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 22, no. 1 (2022), p.
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- Description: The study used regularized partial correlation network analysis (EBICglasso) to examine the structure of DSM-5 internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms (network 1); and the associations of the IGD symptoms in the network with different types of motivation as defined in the self-determination theory i.e., intrinsic motivation (engaging in an activity for something unrelated to the activity), identified regulation (engaging in the activity because it aligns with one’s values and/or goals), external regulation (engagement in activity being driven by external rewards and/or approval), and amotivation (engaging in an activity without often understanding why) (network 2). Participants were 968 adults from the general community. They completed self-rating questionnaires covering IGD symptoms and different types of motivation. The findings for network 1 showed mostly positive connections between the symptoms within the IGD network. The most central symptom was loss of control, followed by continuation, withdrawal symptoms, and tolerance. In general, these symptoms were more strongly connected with each other than with the rest of the IGD symptoms. The findings for network 2 showed that the different types of motivation were connected differently with the different IGD symptoms. For instance, the likeliest motivation for the preoccupation and escape symptoms is intrinsic motivation, and for negative consequences, it is low identified regulation. Overall, the findings showed a novel understanding of the structure of the IGD symptoms, and the motivations underlying them. The clinical implications of the findings for assessment and treatment of IGD are discussed. © 2022, The Author(s).
Network analyses of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms in children
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Gomez, Andre , Brown, Taylor , Watson, Shaun
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 22, no. 1 (2022), p. 263-263
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- Description: Based on parent and teacher ratings of their children, this study used regularized partial correlation network analysis (EBIC glasso) to examine the structure of DSM-5 Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms. Parent and teachers (N = 934) from the general community in Malaysia completed questionnaires covering DSM-5 ODD symptoms. The most central ODD symptom for parent ratings was anger, followed by argue. For teacher ratings, it was anger, followed by defy. For both parent and teacher ratings, the networks revealed at least medium effect size connections for temper and argue, defy, and argue, blames others, and annoy, and spiteful and angry. Overall, the findings were highly comparable across parent and teacher ratings, and they showed a novel understanding of the structure of the ODD symptoms. The clinical implications of the findings for assessment and treatment of ODD are discussed.
The role of internet gaming in the association between anxiety and depression : a preliminary cross-sectional study
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Vassallo, Jeremy , Burleigh, Tyrone , Gomez, Rapson , Colder Carras, Michelle
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia-Pacific Psychiatry Vol. 14, no. 2 (2022), p.
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- Description: Background: Disordered Internet gaming is thought to be perpetuated by one's need to escape their real-life distress or mental health symptoms, which may in turn generate depressive feelings. Nevertheless, moderate engagement with Internet games has also been suggested to provide relief, thus improving one's mood. This study aspires to clarify the contribution of Internet gaming and gender in the association between anxiety and depression. Methods: A large sample of Internet gamers (N = 964) were recruited online. Disordered Internet gaming was assessed with the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, 9 Items Short Form (IGD9S-SF). Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, 21 items (DASS-21). Results: Regression, moderation and moderated moderation analyses accounting for the effects of gender on the relationship between disordered gaming, anxiety, and depression found a significant effect for anxiety symptoms on depression symptoms and a significant interaction between anxiety and Internet gaming disorder on depression symptoms. Findings support the theory that although anxious gamers bear a higher depression risk, this is buffered with lower and exacerbated with higher disordered gaming symptoms. Conclusion: Findings suggest a dual role of Internet gaming in the association between anxiety and depression, depending on the intensity of one's disordered gaming symptoms. Depression prevention and intervention protocols should be optimized by considering the effects of Internet gaming among anxious gamers by focusing on the intensity of a gamer's involvement and any gaming disorder symptoms. Further research should include clinical samples to better understand this interaction. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
Cognitive behavioral therapy online for adult depression : a 10 year systematic literature review
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Cokorilo, Sandra , Kambouropoulos, Alexa , Collard, James , Gomez, Rapson
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews Vol. 15, no. 3 (2019), p. 152-170
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- Description: Background: Acceptance, adherence and efficacy aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) online have invited significant interest, especially in the context of “stepped care” models, which advocate progressive stages of intervention in addressing depression. Objectives: The current work aspires to comprehensively identify critical factors linked to the applicability of online CBT, in order to inform clinical practices and future research targeting depressive behaviors in early and middle adulthood. Methods: To serve these goals: a) the PRISMA systematic literature perspective is followed; b) a systematic search of online databases between 2008-2018 was undertaken and; c) a composite-hybrid model, resulting from the integration of broadly adopted conceptualizations from the areas of psychological treatment and internet use behaviors, was combined with an interpretative phenomenological analysis perspective to organize the findings. Results: In total, 28 studies were included in the present review. Factors defining the efficacy, adherence and acceptability of online CBT targeting depression (during early and middle adulthood) were classified into parameters related to the individual receiver, the context and the CBT activities involved. Conclusion: Despite the cautiousness warranted by the limitations, as well as the diverge methodology of the reviewed studies, findings appear to favour the provision of brief, therapist supported, online CBT interventions, especially in addressing moderate depression during early and middle adulthood. © 2019 Bentham Science Publishers.