Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

The Impact of Internet and Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 11170

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Amelia Rizzo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
Interests: clinical psychology; social psychology

Dr. Dario Alparone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, University of Rennes 2, 35000 Rennes, France
Interests: psychodiagnostics; criminology; psychoanalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The digital era has had a tremendous influence on adolescents and young people. People no longer distinguish their experience with the old categories: offline vs. online. Digital reality is the new reality. This equivalence affects psychological development, and this is a risk and vulnerability factor, with extreme potential consequences such as suicide or interpersonal violence.

The psychopathologies associated with the widespread use of the Internet and digital devices, such as for example, problematic Internet use, cyberchondria, online gambling, etc., are widely studied in the literature. However, as rapidly as new platforms, apps, or SNSs are released, so too are new psychological and psychopathological behaviors observed (digital body image, filter overuse, fear of missing out, influencer virality, risky challenges, bystander effect, etc.).

This Special Issue of IJERPH welcomes scientific contributions which help to understand contemporary phenomena related to internet use in the adolescent mind. Studies may focus on aspects related to the self (identity, body image, ability to regulate emotions, metacognitive skills, coping, addictions, personality traits, etc.) as well as relational aspects (parasocial interactions, phubbing, sexting, ghosting, cyberviolence, etc.). These topics deserve further study, which should address the conceptualization of new phenomena and their possible prevention in terms of psychological and public health risks.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to):

New online teenage behavior;
Social media issues in adolescence;
Virtual reality, mind, and relationships;
Smartphones, identity, and parasocial relationships;
Contemporary perspectives and observations.

Dr. Amelia Rizzo
Dr. Dario Alparone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

internet
smartphone
social media
adolescents

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers

Editorial

Jump to: Research

9 pages, 926 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Surfing Alone: From Internet Addiction to the Era of Smartphone Dependence

by Amelia Rizzo and Dario Alparone

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040436 - 03 Apr 2024

Viewed by 962

Abstract

Technological addiction refers to behavior characterized by excessive and prolonged use of technological devices; reactions of anger, frustration, or panic when unable to use them; and unsuccessful attempts to reduce the time spent on them [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Internet and Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Research

Jump to: Editorial

15 pages, 390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Loredana Benedetto, Simone Rollo, Anna Cafeo, Gabriella Di Rosa, Rossella Pino, Antonella Gagliano, Eva Germanò and Massimo Ingrassia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040386 - 22 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1192

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Internet and Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health)

15 pages, 625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insecure Minds through the Looking Glass: The Mediating Role of Mentalization in the Relationships between Adult Attachment Styles and Problematic Social Media Use

by Gianluca Santoro, Antonino Costanzo, Christian Franceschini, Vittorio Lenzo, Alessandro Musetti and Adriano Schimmenti

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030255 - 22 Feb 2024

Viewed by 2308

Abstract

Research shows that insecure attachment styles and failures in mentalizing are associated with increased problematic social media use (PSMU). This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of failures in mentalizing in the relationships between attachment styles and PSMU within a large sample of individuals from the community. The study involved the participation of 3600 adult volunteers (2312 females, 64.2%) aged between 18 and 60 years old (M = 29.92; SD = 10.68). Participants completed measures to assess socio-demographics, adult attachment styles, mentalization, and PSMU. Findings showed that secure and dismissing attachment styles predicted reduced levels of PSMU, and that preoccupied and fearful attachment styles predicted increased levels of PSMU. The relationships between adult attachment styles and PSMU were mediated by failures in mentalizing. Thus, individuals with preoccupied and fearful attachment styles may excessively resort to social media as a means of coping with unprocessed mental states. Clinical interventions that focus on improving mentalizing abilities and promoting the adoption of appropriate self-regulation strategies might reduce maladaptive engagement in social media. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Internet and Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mediating Role of Procrastination in the Relationship between Fear of Missing Out and Internet Addiction in University Students

by Abdullah Manap, Amelia Rizzo, Abdullah Yıldırmaz, Ümit Dilekçi and Murat Yıldırım

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010049 - 29 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3292

Abstract

This study aims to examine the potential mediating role of procrastination in the relationship between fear of missing out and internet addiction. Employing a cross-sectional research design, this study utilized a paper–pencil form to collect data from 315 students (65.4% undergraduate and 66.3% females) between 18 and 32 (Mage = 22.43; SD = 3.81) studying at a state university in Türkiye. Data were collected through the convenience sampling method. The study was designed as a survey model. This design was tested via mediation analysis. The participants completed self-report assessments using the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOs), General Procrastination Scale (GPS-9), and Young Internet Addiction Scale (short form). The findings showed that FoMO had a significant positive direct effect on both procrastination (R² = 0.13) and internet addiction (R² = 0.33). Procrastination also had a significant positive direct effect on internet addiction (R² = 0.34). Additionally, procrastination mediated the relationship between the fear of missing out and internet addiction (β = 0.156, p < 0.001). These findings not only extend the scope of existing research but also hold practical implications for the development of sustainable interventions. It is believed that the findings will contribute to the consideration of procrastination when preparing psychoeducation or group guidance programs for internet addiction. These interventions can effectively address the process through which fear of missing out leads to internet addiction by considering the significant role of procrastination in students. Findings typically suggest that procrastination behavior is a key factor in explaining the association between FoMO and internet addiction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Internet and Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationships between Compulsive Internet Use, Alexithymia, and Dissociation: Gender Differences among Italian Adolescents

by Alessandro Germani, Antonella Lopez, Elvira Martini, Sara Cicchella, Angelo Maria De Fortuna, Mirella Dragone, Barbara Pizzini, Gina Troisi and Raffaele De Luca Picione

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(14), 6431; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146431 - 22 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1965

Abstract

Internet Gaming Disorder, Internet Addiction, Problematic Internet Use and Compulsive Internet Use cause distress and significant impairment in important areas of a person’s functioning, in particular among young people. The literature has indicated that males show higher levels of problematic internet use than females. People can use the internet to avoid or alleviate negative affects; in fact, problematic internet use is associated with alexithymia and dissociation. Few studies have focused on the different stages of adolescence, gender differences, and the relationships between the aforementioned variables. This research aims to fill this gap. Five hundred and ninety-four adolescents aged between 13 and 19 filled in the Compulsive Internet Use Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Adolescents Dissociative Experiences Scale, and other ad hoc measures. Surprisingly, females reported higher compulsive internet use compared with males. Moreover, they referred more difficulties/symptoms and greater levels of alexithymia than males. No differences across the stages of adolescence were found. Different strengths in the relationships between variables were found according to gender. Moderated mediation analyses indicated that dissociation is an important mediator in the relation between alexithymia and Compulsive Internet Use only among females. This study shed new light on gender differences around problematic internet use and some related risk factors, in order to identify and develop prevention and treatment programs to face this topical and relevant issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Internet and Social Media Use on Young People's Mental Health)

► Show Figures