Problematic Internet Use In Adolescence: A Study On Dissociative Experiences

Abstract

Problematic Internet Use in situations with strong emotional involvement could encourage abstraction from the real world and represent a refuge for adolescents. This could contribute to increase dissociative experiences. Dissociation represents a potential risk factor in case of Problematic Internet Use, especially for adolescents and their identity. The present study aimed to assess the associations between dissociative experiences and problematic internet use in adolescents, considering their emotional-behavioral functioning. Through the collaboration of high schools of center-south of Italy, N=133 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 were assessed. Self-report questionnaires on dissociative experiences, internet use and emotional behavioral functioning were administrated. The results showed that Problematic Internet Use was associated with increased dissociative experiences. Furthermore, in females Problematic Internet Use was associated with the presence of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. On the other hand, in males Problematic Internet Use was associated with passive influence. The result of this study indicates that Internet is not only understood as a withdrawal for adolescents. The virtual world allows the expression of forms of acts, representing diversified responses to adolescent distress.

Keywords: Adolescencedissociationexternalizinginternalizing symptomsproblematic internet use,

Introduction

“Problematic Internet Use” (PIU) refers to a condition that contains within itself a wide range of activities carried out on the Internet (such as, for example, online shopping, the use of pornography, gaming online, the use of social networks), that are implemented dysfunctionally by the subject. Karderfelt-Winther (2014) suggested that activities related to the use of the Internet should be considered not only as conducts that contribute to possible patterns of addiction, but also as compensatory strategies to meet the needs of the individual and to cope with psychosocial problems. In line with this theoretical perspective, PIU can be conceptualized as a scaffold of coping strategies used to escape the problems and difficulties of real life through a temporary withdrawal in the activities carried out on internet (Deleuze et al., 2019; Di Blasi et al., 2019; Kardefelt-Winther, 2014; Maganuco et al., 2019; Maroney et al., 2018; Reinecke, 2009; Schimmenti et al., 2019; Snodgrass et al., 2018).

Problematic Internet Use in situations with strong emotional involvement could encourage abstraction from the real world and represent a refuge for adolescents (Ghezzani, 2018). This could contribute to increase dissociative experiences.

Problem Statement

While adequate and functional Internet use allows a greater experiential enrichment by promoting fantasy, imagination and creativity, an abuse could contribute to increase dissociative experiences, generating pathological phenomena, in extreme forms of depersonalization/derealisation (Cantelmi et al., 2000). The loss of time that passes, when teenagers are emotionally involved during the connection, strengthens the dissociative phenomena related to addiction (Tonioni & Corvino, 2011). Therefore, the dissociation represents a potential risk in case of abuse of navigation, especially for adolescents and their identity in construction.

Dissociation represents a potential risk factor in case of Problematic Internet Use, especially for adolescents and their identity.

The dissociation, in the continuum from mild phenomena to pathological situations, could act as an adaptive defense mechanism in the management of phase-specific conflicts (Calamari & Pini, 2003) or act as an organizer, according to the definition of Ferro and Riefolo (2006).

In this case the obsessive-compulsive tendencies may pervade the adolescent's mental space, causing a dissociation from everything that is perceived as intolerable, leading to memory loss, sense of unreality and feeling of detachment from oneself or one's environment. It is a syndrome characterized by the alteration of cognitive processes that affect reality and personal identity (Ghezzani, 2018). Research aimed at investigating the psychopathological condition of withdrawn adolescents has shown a significant correlation between internet addiction and particular emotional experiences, low self-esteem and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. Distorted thoughts about oneself and a devalued perception of the representation of the world have emerged (Del Miglio et al., 2001). Generally these are adolescents who belong to families of a good social level and do not seem to have severe pathologies. They tend to be rather apathetic, lacking interest in everything that happens in the real world (Ranieri et al., 2015; Young, 2007). According to some research, the common trait of adolescents, who live isolated from reality, concerns emotional fragility (Suwa & Suzuki, 2013).

Research Questions

The dependence on the Internet leads adolescents to use dissociation in a rigid way, in order to escape from their perceived disastrous experience (Perrella & Caviglia, 2014). If the link between dysfunctional use of the internet and isolation becomes very strong, the dissociative risks increase (Ranieri et al., 2015).

There is a lack of in-depth studies on factors predisposing to the abuse of the distorted Intenet of the Internet (Marcucci & Lavenia, 2004).

Purpose of the Study

The present study aimed to assess the associations between dissociative experiences and problematic internet use in adolescents, considering their emotional-behavioral functioning.

In particular, we aimed to investigate:

• the possible correlation between dissociative experiences and internet abuse;

• whether the presence of internalizing / externalizing symptoms in adolescents was associated with massive use of the Internet and with dissociative experiences (in males and females separately).

Research Methods

Findings

Conclusion

In the last decade, several studies and theories have focused on internet addiction in adolescence. The increasing number of young people around the world engaged in the growing number of online activities, has oriented research with the aim of identifying the potential negative consequences but also the predictive factors of misuse of the web. In the literature review, Musetti et al. (2017), highlighted several psychopathological traits in comorbidity with dysfunctional use of the internet, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, dissociation.

The research has shown that the PIU is positively correlated with dissociative disorders in adolescents, confirming the empirical studies. The results are very significant on the presence of psychological problems, with a marked gender trend. The scores reported in the sample of females were high in both the internalizing/externalizing scales, especially in the externalizing one. The males, instead, showed an internalizing tendency related to passive influence when they had an abuse of Internet.

Concluding, the result of this study indicates that Internet is not only understood as a withdrawal for adolescents. The virtual world allows the expression of forms of acts, representing diversified responses to adolescent distress.

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