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Emotional and Behavioural Factors Predisposing to Internet Addiction: The Smartphone Distraction among Italian High School Students

Author

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  • Loredana Benedetto

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Simone Rollo

    (Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Anna Cafeo

    (Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of the Adult and Developmental Age Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Gabriella Di Rosa

    (Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Rossella Pino

    (Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of the Adult and Developmental Age Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Antonella Gagliano

    (Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of the Adult and Developmental Age Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Eva Germanò

    (Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of the Adult and Developmental Age Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Massimo Ingrassia

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

In a digitally oriented society, smartphones provide continual online accessibility to daily life while simultaneously predisposing adolescents to engage in prolonged connections for various purposes, thus escalating the risk of Internet addiction (IA). Cognitive processes such as multitasking and attentional shifting are frequently associated with smartphone activities. Additionally, online engagements may serve as emotional strategies for regulating negative states (e.g., boredom and distress), redirecting attention towards more gratifying activities, such as social media contents. This study delves into cognitive–emotional processes (i.e., emotion regulation, attention impulsiveness, online vigilance, and multitasking) and emotional/behavioural factors (i.e., emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationships, and prosocial behaviours) that may be implicated in smartphone activities and technology addiction among adolescents. A community sample of Italian high school students (N = 676; 42.2% females) completed the Smartphone Distraction Scale (SDS), the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for internalising/externalising symptoms and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to assess the presence and severity of IA. The scores on the SDS were found to be positively associated with IA levels. Furthermore, students exhibiting higher internalising/externalising symptoms, particularly those with traits of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are more likely to manifest problematic smartphone usage. The implications for screening adolescents more susceptible to developing IA symptoms and for implementing preventive interventions are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Loredana Benedetto & Simone Rollo & Anna Cafeo & Gabriella Di Rosa & Rossella Pino & Antonella Gagliano & Eva Germanò & Massimo Ingrassia, 2024. "Emotional and Behavioural Factors Predisposing to Internet Addiction: The Smartphone Distraction among Italian High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:386-:d:1362139
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lozano-Blasco, Raquel & Latorre-Martínez, MªPilar & Cortés-Pascual, Alejandra, 2022. "Screen addicts: A meta-analysis of internet addiction in adolescence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Natalio Extremera & Cirenia Quintana-Orts & Nicolás Sánchez-Álvarez & Lourdes Rey, 2019. "The Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies on Problematic Smartphone Use: Comparison between Problematic and Non-Problematic Adolescent Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Giulia Spina & Elena Bozzola & Pietro Ferrara & Nicola Zamperini & Francesco Marino & Cinthia Caruso & Livia Antilici & Alberto Villani, 2021. "Children and Adolescent’s Perception of Media Device Use Consequences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-8, March.
    4. Catalda Corvasce & Juan Pedro Martínez-Ramón & Inmaculada Méndez & Cecilia Ruiz-Esteban & Francisco Manuel Morales-Rodríguez & María Belén García-Manrubia, 2022. "Emotional Strengths and Difficulties in Italian Adolescents: Analysis of Adaptation through the SDQ," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-12, May.
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