The aim of this study is to gain an increased knowledge and deeper understanding of compulsive gambling and its consequences in today‟s society. Gambling addiction will be described and analysed by a selection of experts, therapists and people with an addictive gambling background. The basis of the empirical research has been undertaken by a qualitative design with interviews consisting of three fundamental themes. The research group of eight participants included four gamblers, two therapists and two specialists. The knowledge perspective focused on the entire „hermenuetisk‟ circle - before, during and after a gambling period. The entry phase into a gambling game showed the reality in which the gambler could feel alive and excited. When participating in gambling, addicts are mentally active and engaged. Therefore, they often experience a sense of being good at what they are doing, which provides them with a purpose. However, the post gambling period sees this sense of meaningfulness dissolve into feelings of guilt, anxiety and failure. During the rehabilitation gamblers experienced anxiety and a powerful lure to play, but if these feelings are conquered they finally feel a sense of release and freedom from gambling. The psychological study showed that the power of gambling provided addicts with a short-term feeling of strength and belonging, as their gambling experiences created an identity. A social study focuses on the gambler‟s own interpretations of their gambling experiences. This provides an insight into the gamblers reality that governs the behavioural patterns of an addict. According to a cognitive perspective, various emotional events provide gamblers with fulfilment during the gambling and then either euphoria from winning or disillusionment from losing. / Studiens syftet var att få ökad kunskap och förståelsen kring spelberoende i dagens samhälle samt följder därav. Följande övergripande frågeställning var i fokus: Hur beskriver och kommenterar ett urval av experter, behandlare samt personer med spelberoendebakgrund sina erfarenheter av spelproblematiken idag? Forskningsunderlagets empiriska material har bearbetats utifrån en kvalitativ design med intervjuer bestående av tre grundläggande teman på åtta deltagare varav fyra brukare, två behandlare och två specialister. Det epistemologiska synsättet fokuserades på helheten av karakteriserande tolkning utifrån en hermenuetisk cirkel samt tematisering före, under och efter en spelperiod. Vägen in i spel visade den faktiska verkligheten som innebar att få uppleva sig själv som existerande. Att spela innebar att vara duktig, aktiv och engagerande men att spela i ett senare skede innebar att meningsfullhet förbyttes mot skuldkänslor, ångest och misslyckande. Vägen ut ur spel visade en falsk känsla av beständighet, att må dåligt under behandlingstiden, känna ångest och ha spelsug men som förbyttes till befrielse efter behandlingen. I existentialistiskt perspektiv visade resultatet att makten över spelet innebar kraft och styrka genom att spelaren byggde upp sin identitet på optimala upplevelser. Utifrån socalkonstruktivistisk perspektiv speglades omgivande faktorer genom spelarens egen tolkning, och upplevelsen var att verkligheten utgjorde den kunskap som styrde beteendet. Enligt kognitivt perspektiv var strukturer sammankopplade i en process som innebar en positiv förankring men som i ett senare skede innebar lust eller olustkänslor.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

This dissertation attempts to expand our understanding of the deficient self-regulation (DSR) of Internet use and media habit development. Drawing from a social cognitive perspective, DSR is described as lapses in effective self-control that are self-corrected over time. A shortcoming in this area of research is that factors relevant to the technology that may encourage the development of DSR or media habits are rarely, if ever, discussed. A large focus of existing research is instead narrowly placed on individual factors that motivate DSR and media habits. An extension is proposed to theory on DSR in this dissertation by examining the role played by novelty perceptions of technology. In the initial stages of technology use, when perceptions of novelty generally grow, perceived novelty is hypothesized to elicit a state of flow, which in turn diminishes the subfunctions of self-regulation and provokes DSR. The relationship between perceived novelty and flow is moderated by psychosocial problems, boredom proneness, and self-reactive outcome expectation. As perceived novelty of a technology decreases, it is presumed that self-control is restored given that flow no longer inhibits self-regulation. However, DSR and media habits are hypothesized to persist in later technology use if individuals experience psychosocial problems, boredom proneness, or high self-reactive outcome expectations. The manifestation of DSR in later stages of technology use increases the likelihood of forming media habits. The influence of novelty perceptions was evaluated on flow, DSR, and media habits at initial and later stages of technology use. The pretest demonstrated that a novelty frame successfully manipulated novelty perceptions of Second Life, the technology used in this experiment, in anticipated directions. In the main study, perceived novelty resulted in flow, which in turn predicted growth of DSR during initial stages of Second Life use. In the familiar stages of use, DSR led to the development of media habits over time; however, the relationship between novelty perceptions and DSR was not moderated by psychosocial problems, boredom proneness, or self-reactive outcome expectation. The findings of this investigation are discussed aside their implications for research, theory, and practice.

L’addiction à Internet a fait l’objet de nombreuses études à travers le monde durant les vingt dernières années. Pourtant aucun consensus au sujet de sa définition ou de ses critères diagnostiques n’a encore été admis, soulevant ainsi de nombreux débats. Ce travail a pour objectif d’étudier la conceptualisation de l’addiction à Internet principalement au travers de ses outils d’évaluation, et de combler un manque de données empiriques au sein d’échantillons français.Étude 1 – Objectif : Déterminer le nombre d’outils de mesure de l’addiction à Internet et mettre en avant leurs qualités psychométriques. Résultats : Quarante-cinq outils mesurant l’addiction à Internet ont été identifiés dont seulement dix-sept ayant été évalués plus d’une fois en termes de propriétés psychométriques. La plupart des échelles existantes nécessitent de plus amples travaux de validation. Bien que critiqué, l’Internet Addiction Test (IAT) est l’échelle présentant le plus de supports empiriques. Cependant, de nombreuses échelles prometteuses requièrent un examen plus approfondi. Étude 2 – Objectif : Évaluer les qualités psychométriques de l’Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Résultats : Les analyses factorielles de l’OCS suggéraient un meilleur ajustement du modèle avec une solution à 5 facteurs (27 items), comparé au modèle original (36 items). Nos résultats mettent en avant une excellente consistance interne et des corrélations inter items et test-retest satisfaisantes. Les scores de l’OCS étaient significativement corrélés avec ceux de l’IAT, du temps passé en ligne et des symptômes dépressifs au cours des deux passations. Étude 3 – Objectifs : Évaluer les qualités psychométriques de la Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 et la pertinence du modèle d’Utilisation Problématique Généralisée d’Internet (UPGI) au sein d’étudiants français. Résultats : Les résultats de la modélisation en équations structurelles soutiennent ce modèle conceptuel de l’addiction à Internet, et un bon ajustement du modèle aux données. Les qualités psychométriques de la version française de la GPIUS-2 étaient satisfaisantes, notamment la fiabilité, et les validités convergente et concurrente, confirmant l’utilité de cet outil multidimensionnel. Étude 4 – Objectif : Explorer la relation entre l’UPGI et les Utilisations Problématiques Spécifiques d’Internet (UPSI). Résultats : Nos analyses mettent avant des relations significatives entre l’UPGI, les symptômes psychopathologiques et la plupart des UPSI, avec de nombreuses différences en fonction du genre et de l’âge. Alors que les scores d’UPSIcommunication prédisaient ceux d’UPGI chez l’ensemble des participants, ceux d’UPSIrecherche d’informations et jeux en ligne, ainsi que les symptômes dépressifs n’étaient significatifs que chez les femmes, les hommes et les jeunes adultes, et l’UPSIconsommation de vidéo/musique et le temps passé en ligne uniquement chez les femmes et les jeunes adultes. / Internet addiction has been the subject of numerous studies worldwide, during the last twenty years. Yet, no consensus on its definition or diagnosis criteria has been admitted, which therefore is triggering numerous debates. The present research aims to study the conceptualization of Internet addiction mainly through its assessment tools, and to fill in the lack of empirical data among French samples.Study 1 - Aim: To assess the measurement tools for Internet addiction and their psychometric properties. Results: Forty-five tools assessing Internet addiction were identified, of which only seventeen had been evaluated more than once in terms of their psychometric properties. Most of the existing scales for Internet addiction require further validation work. Despite criticism, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) appears to be the scale with the most empirical support. However, numerous promising scales warrant further examination.Study 2 - Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Results: Confirmatory factorial analyses showed that the 4-factor solution did not demonstrate satisfactory fit but the 5-factor model was found to better fit the data. Our results revealed that the scale scores demonstrated excellent internal consistency and satisfying inter-item correlation and test-retest reliability. The OCS was significantly correlated with the IAT, time spent online and depressive symptoms at both time points.Study 3 - Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 and the relevance of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use (GPIU) model among French users. Results: Path analysis provided support for this conceptual model of problematic Internet use, and a good fit to the data. The psychometric properties of the French version of the GPIUS-2 were satisfying, including reliability, concurrent and convergent validities, suggesting the usefulness of this multidimensional tool.Study 4 - Aim: To explore the relationship between GPIU and Specific Problematic Internet Uses (SPIU) Results: Our analysis revealed significant relationships between GPIU, psychopathological symptoms and most of SPIU, with many differences according to gender and age. SPIUcommunication scores significantly predict GPIU scores among the whole sample, whereas SPIUinformation seeking and gaming, and depressive symptoms were only significant among women, men and young adults, and SPIUconsumption of video/music and time spent online, among women and young adults.

published_or_final_version / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Cette recherche de thèse porte sur les liens entre addiction à internet, facteurs prédisposant, et modalités d’utilisation d’internet. Sur la base d’une approche transactionnelle du stress, elle a pour objectif d’étudier la question de la gestion des émotions dans le rapport addictif des participants à ce média, ainsi que les liens entre l’addiction à internet et les différentes modalités d’utilisation d’internet selon le genre. Avec une approche quantitative, nos hypothèses visent tout d’abord à mettre en évidence que l’alexithymie, l’anhédonie, l’empathie, la dépression et anxiété, certains styles de coping, le stress, et les stresseurs sont des facteurs prédictifs de l’addiction à internet ; mais également que certaines modalités d’utilisation d’internet sont plus particulièrement associées à un usage addictif, et ce, différemment selon le genre. Dans une approche plus qualitative (approche des mondes lexicaux), nous étudierons ensuite les représentations que les sujets ont d’internet et du virtuel, selon qu’ils soient addictés à internet, non addictés, ou usagers à risque. La population étudiée est représentée par deux échantillons d’étudiants en première année d’université: un premier échantillon de 244 sujets (m=24.09 ans), et un second échantillon de 515 sujets (m=20 ans).Nos résultats montrent d’une part que l’alexithymie, l’empathie, la dépression, le coping « évitement avec pensée positive » et « autoaccusation », et le stress, sont des facteurs prédictifs de l’addiction à internet ; et d’autre part que si le chat, les sites sociaux, et le webmastering sont plus spécifiquement associés à l’addiction à internet, ces modalités d’utilisation diffèrent selon le genre. / The current study examines the association between internet addiction, predictive factors, and types of internet activities. Adopting transactional stress theory, our objectives are to study the question of emotions management in the participants’ addictive relationship to Internet, as well as links between internet addiction and the various modalities of internet use according to gender. With a quantitative approach, hypothesis aim first of all at bringing to light that alexithymia, anhédonia, empathy, depression and anxiety, some of coping styles, stress, and stressors are predictive factors of internet addiction ; but either than some of the internet use modalities are more particularly associated with an addictif usage, and this, differently according to gender. In a more qualitative approach (approach of the lexical worlds), we shall study then the subjects’ representations of internet and virtual, as they are internet addicts, non addicts, or potential addicts. The studied population is represented by two first-year university students' samples: the first sample is represented by 244 students (m=24.09 years old), and the second by 515 students (m=20 years old).Results support on one hand that alexithymia, empathy, depression, avoidant coping styles, and stress, are predictive factors of internet addiction ; and on the other hand that if chatting, networking sites, and webmastering are more specifically associated to the internet addiction, these modalities of use differ according to the gender.

This diploma thesis focuses on possible emergency of addicted behaviour due to Instagram usage. The number of users of this social network is constantly rising and the age limit, when children first come into contact with this platform, is constantly decreasing. Foreign experts strongly support the inclusion of this addiction among mental illnesses in ICD 10. In the Czech Republic, we encounter more controversial views on this disease. There is a lack of any extensive research to confirm the fact that this is really an addiction that affects the lives of social network users. The aim of this thesis is to prove or refute that this social network can actually cause addiction to its users. The theoretical part first deals with the origin of addictive behavior, the nature of behavioral addiction, what factors can affect addiction and how this addiction can affect the life quality of the individual. The research is focused on older school age pupils and adolescents. Because social networks are so diverse, the diagnostic interview is further specified only on the addictive behavior caused by the Instagram network. The results of the research survey showed the presence of all six symptoms in five respondents, which are necessary for the diagnosis of addiction. The significance of this social network in...

The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Adolescent- Risk of Addiction to Social Networks and Internet Scale (ERA-RSI) in Peruvian students. The sample was composed by 755 students (52.2% women), whose ages ranged from 13 to 24 years (M = 17, SD = 2.93) and attended private schools (62.2%) or universities (33.8%). The internal structure of the ERA-RSI, the invariance according to the level of instruction and sex, its relationship with other variables, and the reliability by internal consistency were analyzed. The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicate a four-dimensional structure with adequate fit indices (χ2 / gl = 3.81, CFI = .91, TLI = .90, RMSEA = .061 [.058, .065], SRMR = .061) and which is invariant according to the level of instruction (school and university) and sex (men and women). In addition, good reliability is shown by internal consistency (ω = .74 to .83). For its part, convergent validity was performed with the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire (ARS) a positive, moderate to strong statistically significant correlation were found between the dimensions of both tests. In conclusion, the present adaptation of the ERA-RSI has, in general, adequate empirical evidence of validity and reliability and can be used in future research. / El objetivo fue analizar las evidencias de validez y confiabilidad de la Escala de Riesgo de Adicción-adolescente a las Redes Sociales e Internet (ERARSI) en estudiantes peruanos. Participaron 755 estudiantes (52.2% mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 13 a 24 años (M = 17, DE = 2.93) pertenecientes a escuelas (62.2%) o universidades privadas (33.8%). Se analizó la estructura interna de la ERA-RSI, la invarianza según nivel educativo y sexo, su relación con otras variables y la confiabilidad por consistencia interna. Los resultados del Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC) indican una estructura de cuatro dimensiones con adecuados índices de ajuste (χ2 / gl = 3.81, CFI = .91, TLI = .90, RMSEA = .061 [.058, .065], SRMR = .061) y que es invariante según el nivel educativo (escolares y universitarios) y el sexo (hombres y mujeres). Además, se evidencia una buena confiabilidad por consistencia interna (ω = .74 a .83). Por su parte, la validez convergente se realizó con el Cuestionario de Adicción a las Redes Sociales (ARS) y se encontró, entre las dimensiones de ambas pruebas, correlaciones positivas, estadísticamente significativas y de magnitud entre moderadas y fuertes. En conclusión, la presente adaptación de la ERA-RSI cuenta, en general, con adecuadas evidencias empíricas de validez y fiabilidad y puede ser usada en futuras investigaciones.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship betweensocial anxiety disorder and problematic internet use. Individuals withsocial anxiety disorder might prefer online interaction compared toface-to-face interaction. This could develop into problematic internetuse (PIU). PIU is when an individual uses the internet to the degreethat it negatively affects the individual’s life, based on Davis’ (2001)model of problematic internet use. The data was collected using anonline survey. There was a total of 484 participants in the finalanalyses, with 26.1% males, 71.5% females (Mage=27.99, SD= 10.1).First, a correlation analysis was done between social anxiety and PIU.The results showed that there was a positive correlation between socialanxiety and problematic internet use (r=.53). We then used age as amoderator to investigate if age had a moderating effect on socialanxiety and problematic internet use, using a moderation analysis. Theanalysis revealed a significant moderation effect of age, but a low leveloverall of PIU in the sample. This meant that even at high levels ofsocial anxiety, the sample did not display PIU-behaviors. Furtherresearch is needed to investigate the relationship between socialanxiety, PIU and what it looks like for different age groups. / Syftet med studien var att undersöka förhållandet mellan social fobioch problematisk internetanvändning och hur detta modererar medålder. Individer med social fobi kan uppleva det mer bekvämt attinteragera genom internet i jämförelse med i verkligheten. Detta kanleda till att individen utvecklar problematiskt internetanvändande(PIU). PIU innebär att en individ använder internet på ett sätt somnegativt påverkar individens liv, utifrån Davis (2001) modell förproblematiskt internetanvändande. Datainsamlingen skedde genom enwebbenkät. Totalt var det 484 deltagare i studien (Målder=27.99,SD=10.1), med 26.1% män och 71.5% kvinnor. Först genomfördes enkorrelationsanalys mellan social fobi och PIU. Resultaten visar att detfinns en positiv korrelation mellan social fobi och problematisktinternetanvändande (r=.53). Vi använde ålder som en variabel i vårforskning för att undersöka om ålder har en moderationseffekt påsocial fobi och problematiskt internetanvändande. För att undersökadetta genomförde vi en moderationsanalys. Resultaten visade att ålderhar en signifikant effekt på social fobi och PIU, men att det inte fannsen särskilt hög nivå av PIU hos deltagarna. Detta innebar att även vidhöga nivåer av social fobi uppvisade inte deltagarna PIU-beteenden.Framtida forskning är nödvändigt för att etablera hur förhållandetmellan social fobi och problematiskt internetanvändande ser ut mellanolika åldrar.

The purpose of this thesis was to explore views on consequences of Internet use among young people sampled at a Swedish university. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. The quantitative data were gathered by a quantitative survey conducted among 50 university students at the University of Gävle. To broaden the picture, face-to-face interviews were conducted with two social workers (from Sweden and Russia). In order to analyze and interpret the data collected, Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development and learning theory were applied. Symptoms of Internet addiction proposed by Young (1998a) were used to examine whether the data collected demonstrated presence of Internet addiction among sampled university students. The results indicated that the majority of respondents had an excessive use of Internet, however, the female participants and different aspects of their everyday life seemed to be more influenced by Internet use compared to the male respondents. Another conclusion is that the field of social work has to increase the knowledge and competence in diagnosing the symptoms of excessive Internet use. Internet related disorders are problems of increased proportion and mental health counsellors need to be prepared to meet a growing demand in the area of social work.