User-avatar bond profiles : how do they associate with disordered gaming?
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Gomez, Rapson , Mueller, Astrid , Yucel, Murat , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Addictive Behaviors Vol. 103, no. (2020), p.
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- Description: Aims: The avatar constitutes the in-game representation of the gamer. Although aspects of the user-avatar bond (UAB) have been associated with disordered gaming, there is a need for clearer understanding concerning the impact of potential UAB profiles. Methods: To address this need, the present study recruited a normative sample of 1022 World of Warcraft (WoW) players (Mage = 28.55 years, SD = 9.90). Participants completed the User-Avatar Questionnaire (to assess UAB aspects such as identification, immersion, and compensation), the Proteus-Effect Scale (to assess transference of the avatar's behaviour in real life), and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (to assess disordered gaming). Results: Latent class analysis indicated the existence of three UAB profiles, ‘differentiated gamers’ (DGs), ‘identified gamers’ (IGs) and ‘fused gamers’ (FGs). The DGs were characterized by low scores across all UAB aspects. The IGs did not report significant Proteus Effect (PE) or immersion behaviours, and despite being more identified with their avatar, did not significantly compensate through it. The FGs presented with higher PE, immersion, and compensation, although they did not significantly identify with their avatars, possibly due to having idealized them. Disordered gaming behaviours were significantly lower for the DGs and sequentially higher for the IGs and the FGs. Preoccupation and mood modification behaviours related to gaming disorder were distinctively associated with FGs. Conclusion: Disordered gaming assessment and treatment implications of the UAB profiles are discussed. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
- Description: Murat Yucel has received funding from Monash University , and Australian Government funding bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC; including Fellowship #APP1117188 ), the Australian Research Council (ARC), and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. He has also received philanthropic donations from the David Winston Turner Endowment Fund, Wilson Foundation, as well as payment from law firms in relation to court and/or expert witness reports. The funding sources had no role in the design, management, data analysis, presentation, or interpretation and write-up of the data.
Personality Inventory for DSM-5, Brief Form : Factor structure, reliability, and coefficient of congruence
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Watson, Shaun , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Personality Disorders-Theory Research and Treatment Vol. 11, no. 1 (2020), p. 69-77
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- Description: The Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Brief Form (PID-5-BF), is a 25-item self-report questionnaire that measures the severity of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-proposed personality pathology constructs of negative affectivity, detachment. antagonism, disinhibition, and psychoticism. The current study used exploratory factor analysis, exploratory structural equation modeling, and confirmatory factor analysis to examine the support for the theoretically proposed 5-factor model. In total, 502 adults (male = 182, female = 320, age = 18-67 years [M = 28.93, SD = 10.95]) provided ratings for the PID-5-BF. For the theorized 5-factor model, there was support for its factor structure, internal consistency reliabilities (Cronbach's. ordinal alpha, and omega) of the factors, and coefficient of congruence of the factors considering a previous Danish study. The findings also supported a strong general factor for a bifactor model involving a general factor alongside the 5 group factors. Together, the findings support the use of the 5 personality pathology constructs and the total PID-5-BF scores in clinical and research settings.
Maternal ratings of ODD symptoms : Subtypes versus severity in a general community sample of children
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Comprehensive Psychiatry Vol. 81, no. (2018), p. 81-90
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- Description: Background and aims: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a common childhood disorder (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000; APA, 2013). The aim of the present study was to ascertain the optimal structure for the ODD symptoms by identifying whether ODD is a qualitatively distinct entity (categorical) or is a continuum, with high levels on this continuum reflecting ODD (quantitative or dimensional view). Methods: Mothers' ratings of the ODD symptoms of 457 children, aged 3 to 15 years, as presented in the disruptive behavior rating scale were obtained. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), latent class analysis (LCA), and factor mixture modelling (FMM) were applied to determine the best model for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms in children. Results: The findings provided most support for a FMM with 3 classes (unaffected odd class, at risk class, and affected class) and 3 factors (oppositional, antagonistic, and negative affect). Conclusion: The findings are discussed in relation to dimensional, categorical, and hybrid (categorical/dimensional) models of ODD symptoms.
Adolescent pornography use : A systematic literature review of research trends 2000-2017
- Authors: Alexandraki, Kyriaki , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Anderson, Emma , Latifi, Mohammad , Gomez, Rapson
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Current Psychiatry Reviews Vol. 14, no. 1 (2018), p. 47-58
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- Description: Background: Pornography Use (PU) has been defined as the viewing of explicit materials in the form of pictures and videos, in which people are performing intercourse with clearly exposed and visible genitals. The prevalence of PU has increased dramatically among adolescents, partly attributed to the wide availability of such online material. Objective: The aim of this systematic literature review is to map the research interest in the field and to examine whether statistically significant results have emerged from the areas of research focus. Methods: To address these aims: a) the PRISMA guidelines are adopted and; b) an integrative conceptualization (derived from the merging of two widely accepted models of understanding of Internet use behaviours) was introduced to guide the synthesis of the findings. Results: In total, 57 studies were integrated into the present literature review. Findings were concep-tualized/ classified into individual, contextual and activity factors related to PU in adolescence. In that context, individual associated factors, such as development, victimization, mental health and religiosity, appear to have primarily captivated research interest demonstrating significant relationships with adolescent PU. Conclusion: Results indicate that more research focus on contextual and activity related factors is required to improve the level of understanding of adolescent PU and to inform a more holistic conceptual framework of understanding of the phenomenon during adolescence that could potentially guide future research.
Item response theory analysis of the recoded Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF)
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Beard, Charlotte , Pontes, Halley
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Vol. 17, no. 4 (2019), p. 859-879
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- Description: Based on the nine criteria for Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in DSM-5, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale 9-Short Form (IGDS9-SF; Pontes and Griffiths 2015) is the most widely used questionnaire for assessing IGD. The present study examined support for the unidimensional factor structure of the instrument, with a group of 868 adolescent and adult gamers from the USA, with criteria recoded as present or absent. The two-parameter logistic model (2PLM) was used to examine the item response theory properties of the criteria included in the measure. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor model. The 2PLM analysis indicated that all the criteria were strong discriminators of high and low latent IGD. Furthermore, the items measured more of the GAD dimension and with more precision from around +2 SD from the mean trait level. The implications of the findings for interpreting the IGDS9-SF scores for clinical practice are discussed.
Age of initiation and Internet gaming disorder : The role of self-esteem
- Authors: Beard, Charlotte , Haas, Amie , Wickham, Robert , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Vol. 20, no. 6 (2017), p. 397-401
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- Description: The link between early initiation and problematic use has been observed for substance use disorders; however, this link has not been as clearly established for Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Available studies indicate that individuals who initiate Internet use at younger ages exhibit an increased risk for general Internet addiction. Prior research also suggests unique cognitive processes in online gaming, such that an individual's overall sense of self-worth can become contingent upon self-esteem derived from the gaming environment. The current research examines the mediational role of self-esteem variables in the relationship between age of initiation and IGD symptomatology. Data were analyzed from 1,044 adult participants (mean age = 30.90; standard deviation: 9.28; 35.0% female) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk who reported playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Age of gaming initiation is directly linked to IGD, as earlier age predicted overall IGD symptom severity (b = -0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI: -0.17, -0.03]), controlling for self-esteem factors. In addition, self-esteem factors emerged as mediators of the effect, where global self-esteem served as a protective factor (b = -0.05, 95% CI: [-0.07, -0.02]) and high gaming-contingent self-worth (GCSW; b = -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.15, -0.04]) was associated with more negative outcomes. Earlier age of gaming initiation is associated with IGD symptomatology. Although risks of screen time are often referred to in terms of physical consequences, the present study provides support regarding the inclusion of self-esteem factors in the link between early use and IGD. © Copyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2017.
Cloninger's personality dimensions and ADHD : A meta-analytic review
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Van Doorn, George , Watson, Shaun , Gomez, Andre , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 107, no. (2017), p. 219-227
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- Description: A meta-analysis of up to 20 datasets is reported that examined the relationships between Cloninger's personality dimensions and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Cloninger's model comprises four temperament (Novelty-Seeking, Harm-Avoidance, Reward Dependence, and Persistence) and three character (Self-Directedness, Cooperation, and Self-Transcendence) dimensions. Major findings were that all personality dimensions, except Self-Transcendence, were significantly associated with ADHD. These associations had different directions and magnitudes of relationship with ADHD. The associations were especially strong for Novelty-Seeking and Self-Directedness, being positive for Novelty-Seeking and negative for Self-Directedness. In addition, the association between ADHD and Persistence was moderated by age (stronger in children than adults) and source (stronger in clinical samples than community samples). Further, the association between harm avoidance and ADHD was moderated by age (strong and significant in adults, but not significant in children). Findings are discussed in relation to past work and the different strengths of the associations found between Cloninger's personality dimensions and ADHD, developmental differences in these relationships, implications for theoretical models of ADHD, the influence of biological and environmental factors in the expression of ADHD, implications for treatment and diagnosis, and the underlying processes for the relationships between personality and ADHD. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd
A multilevel longitudinal study of experiencing virtual presence in adolescence : The role of anxiety and openness to experience in the classroom
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Wilson, Peter , Kuss, Daria , Griffiths, Mark , Gentile, Douglas
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Behaviour & Information Technology Vol. 36, no. 5 (2017), p. 524-539
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- Description: Presence describes the feeling of reality and immersion that users of virtual/Internet environments have. Importantly, it has been suggested that there are individual and contextual differences regarding susceptibility to presence. These aspects of presence have been linked to both beneficial and disadvantageous uses of the Internet, such as online therapeutic applications and addictive Internet behaviours. In the present study, presence was studied in relation to individual anxiety symptoms and classroom-level openness to experience (OTE) using a normative sample of 648 adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years. Presence was assessed with the Presence II questionnaire, anxiety symptoms with the relevant subscales of the SCL-90-R, and OTE with the Five-Factor Questionnaire. A three-level hierarchical linear model was calculated. Results showed that experiencing presence in virtual environments dropped between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Additionally, although anxiety symptoms were associated with higher presence at 16 years, this association decreased with age. Results also demonstrated that adolescents in classrooms higher on OTE reported reduced level of experiencing presence. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Measurement invariance of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) between Australia, the USA, and the UK
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Beard, Charlotte , Griffiths, Mark , Buleigh, Tyrone , Gomez, Rapson , Pontes, Halley
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Vol. 16, no. 2 (2018), p. 377-392
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- Description: The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) is widely used to assess Internet Gaming Disorder behaviors. Investigating cultural limitations and implications in its applicability is imperative. One way to evaluate the cross-cultural feasibility of the measure is through measurement invariance analysis. The present study used Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) to examine the IGDS9-SF measurement invariance across gamers from Australia, the United States of America (USA), and the United Kingdom (UK). To accomplish this, 171 Australian, 463 USA, and 281 UK gamers completed the IGDS9-SF. Although results supported the one-factor structure of the IGD construct, they indicated cross-country variations in the strength of the relationships between the indicators and their respective factor (i.e., non-invariant loadings of items 1, 2, 5), and that the same scores may not always indicate the same level of IGD severity across the three groups (i.e., non-invariant intercepts for items 1, 5, 7, 9).
A longitudinal study of adolescent internet addiction : The role of conscientiousness and classroom hostility
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Kuss, Daria , Griffiths, Mark , Motti-Stefanidi, Frosso
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Adolescent Research Vol. 31, no. 4 (2015), p. 442-473
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- Description: Over the last decade, research on Internet addiction (IA) has increased. However, almost all studies in the area are cross-sectional and do not examine the context in which Internet use takes place. Therefore, a longitudinal study examined the role of conscientiousness (as a personality trait) and classroom hostility (as a contextual factor) in the development of IA. The participants comprised 648 adolescents and were assessed over a 2-year period (while aged 16-18 years). A three-level hierarchical linear model was carried out on the data collected. Findings revealed that (a) lower conscientiousness was associated with IA and this did not change over time and (b) although being in a more hostile classroom did not initially have a significant effect, it increased girls’ IA vulnerability over time and functioned protectively for boys. Results indicated that the contribution of individual and contextual IA factors may differ across genders and over time. More specifically, although the protective effect of conscientiousness appeared to hold, the over-time effect of classroom hostility increased the risk of IA for girls. These findings are discussed in relation to the psychological literature. The study’s limitations and implications are also discussed. © The Author(s) 2015.
Factor structure of teacher ratings of the ODD symptoms in children
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Van Doorn, George
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychiatric Quarterly Vol. 89, no. 1 (2018), p. 219-234
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- Description: This study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the best model for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms in children aged 3 to 15 years, as presented in the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale. Teachers’ ratings of the ODD symptoms of 213 children from general community schools in Australia were obtained. The findings provided most support for a bifactor model based on Stringaris and Goodman’s [1] three-factor model (primary factors for irritable, hurtful, and headstrong). The general factor, but not the group factors in the model, showed high omega hierarchical and explained common variance. Thus, only the general factor in this model can be meaningfully interpreted. Also, the general factor was supported with regard to external validity. Specifically, this factor, but not the group factors, correlated strongly with ADHD inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptom groups, and other measures of behavioural and emotional problems. The taxonomic, diagnostic, practical, and research implications of the findings are discussed. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
The longitudinal association between anxiety and Internet addiction in adolescence : The moderating effect of classroom extraversion
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Gomez, Rapson , Steen, Eloisa , Beard, Charlotte , Liew, Lucas , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Behavioral Addictions Vol. 6, no. 2 (2017), p. 237-247
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- Description: Background and aims The risk effect of anxiety on addictive behaviors, including Internet addiction (IA), has repeatedly been highlighted in the international literature. However, there is a lack of longitudinal studies examining this association in relation to proximal context effects, particularly in adolescence. Such findings would shed light on potential age- and proximal context-related variations in the anxiety-IA association that could better inform IA prevention and intervention initiatives. Methods In this study, 648 adolescents, embedded in 34 classrooms, were assessed at the age of 16 and again at the age of 18 to examine the effect of anxiety on IA behaviors in relation to the average level of classroom extraversion. IA was assessed with the Internet Addiction Test (Young, 1998), anxiety with the relevant subscale of the Symptom Checklist 90 - Revised (Derogatis & Savitz, 1999) and classroom extraversion with the synonymous subscale of the Five Factor Questionnaire (Asendorpf & van Aken, 2003). A three-level hierarchical linear model was calculated. Results The present findings demonstrated that: (a) higher levels of anxiety were significantly associated with higher IA behaviors, (b) the strength of this association did not vary over time (between 16 and 18 years old), and (c) however, it tended to weaken within classrooms higher in extraversion. Discussion This study indicated that the contribution of individual IA risk factors might differently unfold within different contexts.
Test-retest measurement invariance of clinic referred children’s ADHD symptoms
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Vance, Alasdair , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment Vol. 40, no. 2 (2018), p. 194-205
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- Description: This study examined the test-retest measurement invariance of ratings of the ADHD symptoms. Mothers of a group of 217 clinic-referred children (boys = 169, girls = 49; age range = 7 to 17 years) completed ratings of the ADHD symptoms presented in a modified version of the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal Behavior Scale (SWAN-M) twice, 12 months apart. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of their ratings at both time points provided more support for the bifactor model of ADHD [orthogonal general and specific factors for inattention (IA) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) symptoms] over the 2-factor oblique model (factors for inattention IA and HI symptoms). For the bifactor model, measurement invariance testing using multiple-group CFA indicated support for configural and full scalar test-retest invariance when the chi-square difference test was applied. For metric invariance, all but one symptom showed invariance. When the differences in approximate fit indices were applied, there was support for full measurement invariance (configural, metric and scalar). The findings indicate that observed scores (based on maternal ratings of the SWAM-M), twelve months apart, are comparable as they have the same measurement properties. Several practical, theoretical, research and clinical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Internet pornography viewing preference as a risk factor for adolescent Internet addiction : The moderating role of classroom personality factors
- Authors: Alexandraki, Kyriaki , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Burleigh, Tyrone , King, Daniel , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Behavioral Addictions Vol. 7, no. 2 (2018), p. 423-432
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- Description: Background and aims: Adolescent Internet pornography viewing has been significantly increased in the last decade with research highlighting its association with Internet addiction (IA). However, there is little longitudinal data on this topic, particularly in relation to peer context effects. This study aimed to examine age- and context-related variations in the Internet pornography-IA association. Methods: A total of 648 adolescents, from 34 classrooms, were assessed at 16 years and then at 18 years to examine the effect of Internet pornography preference on IA in relation to the classroom context. IA was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test (Young, 1998), Internet pornography preference (over other Internet applications) was assessed with a binary (yes/no) question, and classroom introversion and openness to experience (OTE) with the synonymous subscales within the Five Factor Questionnaire (Asendorpf & Van Aken, 2003). Results: Three-level hierarchical linear models were calculated. Findings showed that viewing Internet pornography exacerbates the risk of IA over time, while classroom factors, such as the average level of OTE and introversion, differentially moderate this relationship. Discussion and conclusion: The study demonstrated that the contribution of Internet pornography preference (as an IA risk factor) might be increased in more extroverted classrooms and decreased in OTE classrooms.
Flow on the Internet : A longitudinal study of Internet addiction symptoms during adolescence
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Griffiths, Mark , Burleigh, Tyrone , Kuss, Daria , Doh, Young , Gomez, Rapson
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Behaviour and Information Technology Vol. 37, no. 2 (2018), p. 159-172
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- Description: Internet Addiction (IA) constitutes an excessive Internet use behavior with a significant impact on the user’s well-being. Online flow describes the users’ level of being absorbed by their online activity. The present study investigated age-related, gender, and flow effects on IA in adolescence. The sample comprised 648 adolescents who were assessed twice at age 16 and 18 years. IA was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test and online flow was assessed using the Online Flow Questionnaire. A three-level hierarchical model estimated age-related, gender, and online flow effects on IA symptoms and controlled for clustered random effects. IA symptoms decreased over time (for both genders) with a slower rate in males. Online flow was associated with IA symptoms and this remained consistent over time. Findings expand upon the available literature suggesting that IA symptoms could function as a development-related manifestation at the age of 16 years, while IA-related gender differences gradually increase between 16 and 18 years. Finally, the association between online flow and IA symptoms remained stable independent of age-related effects. The study highlights individual differences and provides directions for more targeted prevention and intervention initiatives for IA. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Flow and Telepresence contributing to Internet Abuse : Differences according to gender and age
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Alexandraki, Kyriaki , Motti-Stefanidi, Frosso
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Computers in Human Behavior Vol. 29, no. 5 (2013), p. 1941-1948
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- Description: Flow describes immersive tendencies to Internet activities, and Telepresence defines the level one is absorbed in his virtual environment. The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to test whether and how Flow and Telepresence may contribute to Internet Abuse and (b) to examine group differences in Internet Abuse, Flow and Telepresence according to gender and age among adolescents. The sample consisted of 1609 adolescents, with a mean age of 16 years old. Internet Abuse was assessed with the Internet Addiction Test (Young, 1998), Flow with the Flow Questionnaire (Chen, Wigand, & Nilan, 1999) and Telepresence with the Presence II questionnaire (Witmer & Singer, 1998). Findings revealed that Flow and Telepresence were related with Internet Abuse with Telepresence positively moderating the effect of Flow. Considering group differences, males were at higher risk of Internet Abuse and were more likely to experience Flow and Telepresence, while older adolescents scored higher only in Telepresence. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A multilevel longitudinal study of obsessive compulsive symptoms in adolescence: Male gender and emotional stability as protective factors
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Moore, Kathleen , Lazaratou, Helen , Dikeos, Dimitris , Gomez, Rapson
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Annals of General Psychiatry Vol. 16, no. 42 (2017), p.1-12
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- Description: The severity of obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) is suggested to be normally distributed in the general population, and they appear to have an impact on a range of aspects of adolescent development. Importantly, there are individual differences regarding susceptibility to OCS. In the present repeated measures study, OCS were studied in relation to gender and emotional stability (as a personality trait) using a normative sample of 515 adolescents at ages 16 and 18 years. OCS were assessed with the relevant subscale of the SCL-90-R and emotional stability with the Five Factor Questionnaire. A three-level hierarchical linear model was calculated to longitudinally assess the over time variations of OCS and their over time links to gender and emotional stability, while controlling for random effects due to the nesting of the data. Experiencing OCS increased with age (between 16 and 18 years). Additionally, male gender and higher emotional stability were associated with lower OCS at 16 years and these remained stable over time. Results indicate age-related and between individual differences on reported OCS that need to be considered for prevention and intervention planning.
The fatigue and depressive symptom relationship in mothers of young children : The moderating role of mindfulness
- Authors: Riley, Kym , Gent, Angela , McLaren, Suzanne , Caunt, Jeremy , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mindfulness Vol. 9, no. 6 (2018), p. 1955-1965
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- Description: Previous studies have demonstrated that fatigue is a risk factor for depressive symptoms in mothers of young children. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the five facets of mindfulness moderated the relationship between fatigue and depressive symptoms in mothers of young children. A sample of 723 mothers of children aged 1–5 years completed the Fatigue Assessment Scale, the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form. Results showed that four out of the five mindfulness facets (non-judging of inner experience, non-reactivity to inner experience, acting with awareness, and describing) weakened the relationship between fatigue and depressive symptoms. Interaction effects were found to be small. Further investigation of the unique roles of the five mindfulness facets as well as other possible protective factors and interventions that may weaken the fatigue-depressive symptom relationship in mothers of young children is warranted.
Internet Gaming Disorder : The interplay between physical activity and user–avatar relationship
- Authors: Liew, Lucas , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Adams, Baxter , Burleigh, Tyrone , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Behaviour and Information Technology Vol. 37, no. 6 (2018), p. 558-574
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- Description: Understanding both the risk and protective factors associated with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been viewed by many in the gaming studies field as an area of research priority. The present study focused on the potential risk and protective effects of user–avatar (game figure) relationship and physical activity (PA), respectively. To address these aims, a cross-sectional and a longitudinal mixed-methods design were combined (comprising both psychological and physiological assessments). A sample of 121 emerging adult gamers (18–29 years) residing in Australia, who played massively multiplayer online games, were assessed in relation to their IGD behaviours using the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form. Additionally, the Proto-Self-Presence (PSP) scale was used to evaluate the extent to which gamers identified with the body of their avatar. Finally, a PA monitor (Fitbit Flex) measured levels of energy consumed during real-world daily activities (active minutes). A number of linear regressions and moderation analyses were conducted. Findings confirmed that PSP functioned as an IGD risk factor and that PA acted protectively, weakening the association between PSP and IGD behaviours. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to IGD treatment and gaming development aspects.
The overlap between binge eating behaviors and polycystic ovarian syndrome : An etiological integrative model
- Authors: Paganini, Chiara , Peterson, Gregory , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Krug, Isabel
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Current Pharmaceutical Design Vol. 24, no. 9 (2018), p. 999-1006
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- Description: Studies indicate that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) features (e.g. insulin instability, food cravings, overproduction of androgens and menstrual irregularities) are associated with increased appetite, impaired impulse control and feelings of body dissatisfaction. Counter intuitively, binge eating behaviors have been shown to reinforce PCOS symptomatology, precipitating concurrently body dissatisfaction, weight gain, insulin instability and overproduction of androgens. The present systematic literature review aspires to investigate the relationship between binge eating, in the broader context of eating disorder behaviors, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), taking into account shared characteristics between EDs (Eating Disorders) and PCOS. To address this aim, the PRISMA guidelines are adopted. A total of 21 studies, which investigated the presence of binge eating in PCOS population and the presence of PCOS in EDs population, were synthesized. Findings suggested that an increased prevalence of binge eating has been reported in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS); and that women suffering from BN (Bulimia Nervosa) and BED (Binge Eating Disorder) are more likely to display polycystic ovaries. Further research on their shared liability is required in order to inform more efficient prevention and treatment initiatives for populations presenting with comorbid features.