Internet Addiction Essay Outline

A recent study by Tonioni et al involving two clinical groups (ie, 31 IA patients and eleven pathological gamblers) and a control group (ie, 38 healthy individuals) that aimed to investigate whether IA patients presented different psychological symptoms, temperamental traits, coping strategies, and relational patterns in comparison with pathological gamblers, concluded that Internet addicts presented higher mental and behavioral disengagement associated with significant more interpersonal impairment.Moreover, temperamental patterns, coping strategies, and social impairments appeared to be different across both disorders.

A recent study by Tonioni et al involving two clinical groups (ie, 31 IA patients and eleven pathological gamblers) and a control group (ie, 38 healthy individuals) that aimed to investigate whether IA patients presented different psychological symptoms, temperamental traits, coping strategies, and relational patterns in comparison with pathological gamblers, concluded that Internet addicts presented higher mental and behavioral disengagement associated with significant more interpersonal impairment.Moreover, temperamental patterns, coping strategies, and social impairments appeared to be different across both disorders.

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As a result of these ongoing changes, behavioral addictions have now recently received official recognition in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition).

In this theoretical framework, technological addictions such as IA represent a subset of behavioral addictions featuring six core components: salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse.

It is concluded that there is no consensual definition for IA.

Prevalence rates among nationally representative samples across several countries vary greatly (from 1% to 18.7%), most likely reflecting the lack of methodological consistency and conceptual rigor of the studies.

it is unclear to what extent such criteria are useful and suitable to evaluate IA.

Notwithstanding the existing difficulties in understanding and comparing IA and pathological gambling, recent research provided useful insights on this topic.The cognitive-behavioral framework has also inspired several scholars regarding the definition, conceptualization, and treatment of IA.One of the most influential cognitive-behavioral approaches was developed by Davis.Following the conceptual framework developed by Young et al to understand IA, five specific types of distinct online addictive behaviors were identified: “cyber-sexual addiction”, “cyber-relationship addiction”, “net compulsions” (ie, obsessive online gambling, shopping, or trading); “information overload”; and “computer addiction” (ie, obsessive computer game playing).Furthermore, and using a similar rationale, Block defined IA as a compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder involving online and/or offline computer usage patterns featuring excessive use, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, and negative repercussions.The components model of addiction appears to be a more updated framework for understanding IA as a behavioral addiction, not only conceptually but also empirically.Moreover, this theoretical framework has recently received empirical support from several studies, further evidencing its suitability and applicability to the understanding of IA.A critical approach to definition and characterization Generally speaking, IA has been characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupation, urges, and/or behaviors regarding Internet use that lead to impairment or distress in several life domains.IA is a problematic behavior akin to pathological gambling that can be operationally defined as an impulse control disorder not involving the ingestion of psychoactive intoxicants.However, as noted above, it has also been argued that the Internet may simply be the means or “place” where the most commonly reported addictive behaviors occur.In short, the Internet may be just a medium to fuel other addictions.