INTRODUCTION: Problematic online video pornography consumption is associated with sexual objectification, particularly in male consumers. However, previous studies have not considered that there is a subgroup of internet users whose consumption may become problematic due to their internet sex addiction. Such users may, in response to internet sex addiction symptoms such as craving, have increased levels of sexual objectification. METHODS: In a sample of 1,272 male consumers of online video pornography (Mage = 32.93, SDage = 9.44), we examined whether internet sex addiction is linked to sexual objectification via an online survey. RESULTS: We fitted a series of structural equation models and found that men who scored higher on internet sex addiction were more likely to objectify women. More importantly, this link did not cease when controlling for the frequency of online video pornography consumption. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that there are other mechanisms related to addictive symptomatology than just the link through online video pornography consumption that may contribute to sexual objectification. Addiction-related factors may have a unique role in fostering sexual objectification. Isolating internet sex addiction as a potential driver highlights the need to address objectifying behaviours in individuals struggling with this addiction.
- Klíčová slova
- addiction, frequency, internet pornography, internet sex addiction, sexual objectification,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In 2019, Gaming Disorder (GD) was acknowledged as an official diagnosis by the World Health Organization. The Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) is the most widely used tool to measure GD; however, due to its novelty, various measurement properties are still unexplored, and the number of validated language variants is still limited. The present study is the first to assess the psychometric properties of the Czech version of the GDT. Further, it focuses on its temporal prevalence and stability, gaming genre invariance, and criterion validity. A large-scale sample of adult Czech gamers collected at two points within nine months was analysed - T1 N = 5356; T2 N = 6077; longitudinal sample N = 1430. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), and multigroup CFA were employed to assess the measurement invariance. The study confirmed the one-factor structure of the GDT and showed that it is invariant across preferred gaming genres and the time of data collection. It showed a negative relationship with life satisfaction and a positive relationship with anxiety, even when controlling for their mutual relationships. The prevalence in the longitudinal sample was equal to or below 1.9% in each wave, but only 0.5% in the longitudinal sample (hence n = 7 participants fulfilled in both waves the criteria for GD). The study suggests that the Czech version of the GDT has good psychometric properties, including temporal stability and invariance across gaming genres, so it is suitable for the survey type and epidemiological investigation of the ICD-11's Gaming Disorder.
- Klíčová slova
- Gaming disorder, Gaming disorder test, Longitudinal investigation, Measurement invariance, Prevalence, Validation,
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- longitudinální studie MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- netholismus diagnóza epidemiologie MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- psychiatrické posuzovací škály normy MeSH
- psychometrie * normy přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that alexithymia plays a significant role in substance and behavioral addictions. However, only a handful of studies investigated this construct in relation to gaming addiction, and no study analyzed its differential effect on gaming engagement and addiction. METHODS: A total of u adult gamers (Mage = 26.04, SD = 5.78, 94 % male) completed a questionnaire that included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (and its subscales of difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking), the Addiction-Engagement Questionnaire, and additional questions about gender, age, and time spent gaming. Structural equation modeling was used as the main analytical strategy. RESULTS: Difficulty identifying feelings (β = 0.28) and externally oriented thinking (β = 0.19) showed a significant positive effect on gaming addiction. Contrary to addiction, externally oriented thinking showed a significant negative effect (β = -0.21) on gaming engagement. No other alexithymia subscales were significant. The model with alexithymia explained 32.7 % of the variance in gaming addiction while only 10.4 % of gaming engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia is a strong predictor of gaming addiction. Gaming engagement seems to be a qualitatively different phenomenon that shows an opposite association with alexithymia than gaming addiction. However, both are related to increased time spent gaming. This suggests a need to distinguish between problematic vs. non-problematic excessive gaming as they have different associations with affect dysregulation.
- Klíčová slova
- Alexithymia, Emotional dysregulation, Gaming addiction, Gaming disorder, Gaming engagement, Non-problematic gaming,
- MeSH
- afektivní symptomy * epidemiologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- emoce MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- návykové chování * epidemiologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Research has shown a link between depression risk and how gamers form relationships with their in-game figure of representation, called avatar. This is reinforced by literature supporting that a gamer's connection to their avatar may provide broader insight into their mental health. Therefore, it has been argued that if properly examined, the bond between a person and their avatar may reveal information about their current or potential struggles with depression offline. To examine whether the connection with an individuals' avatars may reveal their risk for depression, longitudinal data from 565 adults/adolescents (Mage = 29.3 years, SD = 10.6) were evaluated twice (six months apart). Participants completed the User-Avatar-Bond [UAB] scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale to measure avatar bond and depression risk. A series of tuned and untuned artificial intelligence [AI] classifiers analyzed their responses concurrently and prospectively. This allowed the examination of whether user-avatar bond can provide cross-sectional and predictive information about depression risk. Findings revealed that AI models can learn to accurately and automatically identify depression risk cases, based on gamers' reported UAB, age, and length of gaming involvement, both at present and six months later. In particular, random forests outperformed all other AIs, while avatar immersion was shown to be the strongest training predictor. Study outcomes demonstrate that UAB can be translated into accurate, concurrent, and future, depression risk predictions via trained AI classifiers. Assessment, prevention, and practice implications are discussed in the light of these results.
- Klíčová slova
- Artificial intelligence, Avatar, Depression, Internet gaming, Machine learning,
- MeSH
- avatar * MeSH
- deprese * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- strojové učení MeSH
- umělá inteligence MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
BACKGROUND: Problematic internet and smartphone use are significant health challenges for contemporary adolescents. However, their mutual relationship is unclear because studies investigating these phenomena are scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological risks and protective factors associated with problematic internet and smartphone use. METHOD: A representative sample of Slovak adolescents (N = 4070, Mage = 14.38, SDage = 0.77, 50.5% girls) from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children project was analyzed using network analysis separately for boys and girls. RESULTS: The results showed weak (for boys) and moderate (for girls) associations between problematic internet use and problematic smartphone use. Risk factors showed stronger associations with problematic internet use than problematic smartphone use, with the exception of fear of missing out, which was strongly associated with problematic smartphone use. The central nodes were externalizing problems for boys and internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and resilience for girls. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that while problematic internet use and problematic smartphone use are somewhat related, they differ at the psychological level. In addition, the phenomena are rather different between boys and girls.
- Klíčová slova
- HBSC, Network analysis, Problematic internet use, Problematic smartphone use, Psychology risk factors,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations among erectile difficulties, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction, and whether there is a buffering effect of non-penetrative partnered sex on relationship satisfaction in men aged 50+ who report erectile difficulties. METHODS: An analysis of survey data from 431 Czech men (aged 50-96, Mdn = 64). RESULTS: Engagement in non-penetrative partnered sex did not moderate the relationship between erectile difficulties and sexual and relationship satisfaction, but it was linked to higher sexual and relationship satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The buffering effect of non-penetrative practices for the link between erectile difficulties and relationship satisfaction has not been supported.
- Klíčová slova
- Aging, erectile difficulties, relationship satisfaction, sexual health,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: This study investigates both offline and online bullying perpetration and victimization in association with problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic smartphone use (PSU), while also considering the related psychosocial difficulties. METHODS: A total of 3939 adolescents (49.4% boys, aged 13-15 years) from a representative sample of schools in Slovakia was obtained from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) project in 2018. Due to the lack of similar complex research and the expected mutual associations among the constructs, we compared exploratory network models that provided separate estimates for boys and girls. RESULTS: The constructs formed similarly clustered networks for both genders, with a few notable differences. Unlike PIU, PSU was not associated with bullying experiences in boys or girls; however, PSU and PIU were partially related in girls. Bullying experiences formed a strong cluster in both networks. Two strong bridges were identified, and they are potential candidates for intervention in both boys and girls: first, traditional bullying victimization connected the cluster of bullying experiences to psychosocial difficulties; and, second, frequently missing sleep or meals due to internet use (behavioral salience) that is connected to the bullying cluster with PIU. CONCLUSIONS: The findings offer an indication for the preventive and interventive work of practitioners who deal with adolescents, as well as complex gender comparisons for the mutual relations of problematic internet and smartphone use, bullying experiences, and the psychosocial difficulties of youth. This study provides evidence that problematic digital media can play a role in bullying experiences irrespective of whether bullying happens offline or online.
- Klíčová slova
- Bullying, adolescence, cyber bullying, problematic internet use, problematic smartphone use,
- MeSH
- chytrý telefon MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- internet MeSH
- kyberšikana * prevence a kontrola psychologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- oběti zločinu * psychologie MeSH
- šikana * psychologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
BACKGROUND: The importance of studying the excessive use of social media in adolescents is increasing and so is the need for in-depth evaluations of the psychometric properties of the measurement tools. This study investigated the properties of the Social Media Disorder Scale (SMDS) in a large representative sample of Czech adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed the representative sample of 13,377 Czech adolescents (50.9% boys), 11-16 years old, who participated in the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey (2017-18), using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and network models. Furthermore, we evaluated the measurement invariance and constructed the validity of the SMDS. RESULTS: We found support for a single dominant factor but not for strict unidimensionality. Several residual correlations were identified. The strongest were for: problems-conflicts-deceptions; persistence-escape; and preoccupation-tolerance-withdrawal. Girls, particularly 13- and 15-year-olds, scored higher than boys in the same age group, and 13- and 15-year-olds achieved higher scores than 11-year-olds, although some items were not invariant between the groups. The SMDS was positively related to other online activities, screen time, and falling asleep late, but negatively related to well-being and mental health. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The SMDS showed solid psychometric properties and construct validity. However, small violations of measurement invariance were detected. Furthermore, the network analysis showed important residual relationships between the items.
- Klíčová slova
- Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC), Network analysis, adolescents, problematic social media use (PSMU), psychometrics, social media addiction, validation,
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- faktorová analýza statistická MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- psychometrie MeSH
- sociální média * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
BACKGROUND: Problematic sexual internet use has been attracting increasing research attention in recent years. However, there is a paucity of qualitative studies about how this problem manifests on a daily basis in the clinical population and whether the phenomenon should fall within the hypersexual, compulsive-impulsive, or addictive spectrums of disorders. METHODS: Twenty-three semi-structured interviews, including AICA-C clinical interviews, were conducted with men who were in treatment for problematic internet sex use (aged 22-53; Mage = 35.82). The interview structure focused on the patterns of sexual behavior in question, their development, the manifestation of symptoms, and other associated psychosocial problems. A thematic analysis was applied as the main analytical strategy. RESULTS: Typical problematic patterns included pornography use and cybersex, together with continuous masturbation for several hours several times a week. This pattern emerged relatively early in young adulthood and became persistent for years. The majority of participants fulfilled the criteria for behavioral addiction (as defined, e.g., by the components model of addiction), with loss of control and preoccupation being the most pronounced and withdrawal symptoms being the least. Together with the onset of erectile dysfunction, negative consequences were reported as being slowly built up over years and typically in the form of deep life dissatisfaction, regret, and feelings of unfulfilled potential. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The Addiction model is relevant for describing the difficulties in treatment-seeking men who suffer from problematic sexual internet use. However, the manifestations of the additional criteria are nuanced. In the case of negative consequences, their onset might be very slow and not easily reflected. While there was evidence of several forms of tolerance, potential withdrawal symptoms in online sex addiction need further attention to be verified.
- Klíčová slova
- Compulsive Sexual Behavior (CSB), addiction symptoms, hypersexuality, pornography addiction, qualitative study, treatment-seeking sample,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Both eating disorders and excessive internet use represent significant health issues for contemporary adolescents. Yet, the link between them has seldom been investigated. We aim to study this association through their common underlying psychological factors: internalising problems and externalising problems. METHODS: A representative sample of 7,083 adolescents (Mage = 13.48 years; SDage = 1.32; 50.3% girls) from Slovakia was obtained from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) project in 2018. Study variables included the Excessive Internet Use Scale (EIU) and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Eating disorders symptoms (EDS) were assessed by SCOFF and selected items from the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care (ESP). Data were analysed separately for boys and girls with Structural Equation Modelling. RESULTS: There was a partial correlation between EDS and EIU (r = 0.36 for boys and r = 0.29 for girls) after controlling for the internalising and externalising of problems. Internalising and externalising problems were positively associated with EDS, while EIU was only associated with externalising problems. The results were comparable for both genders. CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence that, during adolescence, EDS and EIU are related and have a tendency to occur together. Also, they are related even when controlled for their shared underlying psychological factors, namely the emotional and attentional/behavioural difficulties.
The study found that, in adolescents, eating disorders symptoms are associated with excessive internet use even when controlled for their shared psychological factors. Self-control issues were associated with both the eating disorder symptoms and excessive internet use, while emotional issues were only associated with the eating disorder symptoms. The strength of the relationship was similar for boys and girls, even though the prevalence of eating disorders symptoms was double in girls.
- Klíčová slova
- Adolescents, Eating disorders symptoms, Excessive internet use, Externalising problems, Internalising problems,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
